30 Days of MLB Rankings: Top Ten Second Basemen

Check out my previous rankings from this series:

Catchers 30-21 | Catchers 20-11  | Catchers 10-1  | First Base 30-21 | First Basemen 20-11 | First Basemen 10-1 | Second Basemen 30-21 | Second Basemen 20-11

10. Cavan Biggio, Toronto Blue Jays

2019: 100 games, .234/.364/.429 splits, .793 OPS, 16 Home Runs, 48 RBIs

In his first MLB season, Cavan Biggio was able to make an immediate impact on the Toronto Blue Jays. In addition to his 16 home runs, Biggio also stole 14 bases without getting caught once. Biggio likes at-bats deep into the count. While he draws a lot of walks, especially for a young player, he will need to cut down on the strikeouts. Defensively, Biggio was right around league average in 2019 but should improve in that area.  

9. Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bays

2019: 82 games, .270/.336/.514 splits, .850 OPS, 17 Home Runs, 51 RBIs

If you hadn’t heard of Brandon Lowe until now, you probably wouldn’t be alone. Lowe flew under the radar in his second season in 2019, earning his first all-star nod, despite missing nearly half the year due to injury. Lowe provides a lot of pop in his bat and should only get better heading into his age 25 season. Defensively, he’s above league-average as well with a 2 Rdrs in 2019. Not to mention, he also stole five bases. 

8. Kolten Wong, St.Louis Cardinals

2019: 148 games, .285/.361/.423 splits, .784 OPS, 11 Home Runs, 59 RBIs

Kolten Wong is a very solid hitter. However, his glove and base-running ability are what earn him such a high spot on this list. Wong ran away with the NL second base gold glove award in 2019, recording a .987 fielding percentage at second, rarely making mistakes. He has a lot of speed on the base path as well, stealing 24 bases while only getting caught four times. At the plate, he hits for a high average while hitting occasional home runs as well.  

7. Luis Arraez, Minnesota Twins

2019: 92 games, .334/.399/.838 splits, .838 OPS, 4 Home Runs, 28 RBIs

With Jonathan Schoop gone, Luis Arraez projects to be Minnesota’s everyday second baseman and leadoff hitter in 2020. At age 22, Arraez established himself as one of the best contact hitters in the MLB last season, hitting well over .300. He likely won’t hit a ton of home runs, but his ability to get on base will help Minnesota scores runs. Defensively, he’ll need to improve, but at age 23, he certainly has a bright future in MLB.   

6. Keston Hiura, Milwaukee Brewers

2019: 84 games, .303/.368/.570 splits, .938 OPS, 19 Home Runs, 49 RBIs

Another 22-year-old rookie, Keston Hiura, had a great rookie year at the plate for Milwaukee in 2020. Hitting above .300, Hiura also hit 19 home runs, while playing just above half the season. Heading into his age 23 season, Hiura projects to be the Brewers’ everyday second baseman. The defense is where he needs to improve as he was one of the worst defenders in the MLB last season with a .949 fielding percentage at second.  

5. Mike Moustakas, Cincinnati Reds

2019: 143 games, .254/.329/.516 splits, .845 OPS, 35 Home Runs, 87 RBIs

The top five second basemen are definitely at a better talent level than the rest of the guys on the list. For the first time in his career, Mike Moustakas projects to be an everyday second baseman with Eugenio Suarez at third. With Milwaukee in 2019, Moustakas had a great season at the plate en route to earning his third all-star nod. “Moose” did play 47 games at second last year, so it will be interesting to see how he performs at the new position in 2020.  

4. Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves

2019: 160 games, .295/.352/.500 splits, .852 OPS, 24 Home Runs, 86 RBIs

Heading into his age 23 season, Ozzie Albies has established himself as one of the young stars in the MLB. In 2019, he led the NL with 189 hits, while earning a silver slugger award. If it weren’t for the great season from Wong, Albies likely would have a gold glove as well as he committed just four errors last year. Heading into his fourth MLB season, Albies should only continue to improve.  

3. DJ LeMahieu, New York Yankees

2019: 145 games, .327/.375/.518 splits, .893 OPS, 26 Home Runs, 102 RBIs

After several solid seasons in Colorado, DJ Lemahieu had a breakout campaign in 2019 with the Yankees. Previously a pure contact average, LeMahieu dropped that label last year, hitting 26 deep flies. LeMahieu is also a three-time gold glove winner and remained a gold-glove finalist for AL second baseman last year. Heading into Lemahieu’s tenth MLB season, it will be interesting to see if he can keep it up in 2020.  

2. Jose Altuve, Houston Astros

2019: 124 games, .298/.353/.550 splits, .903 OPS, 31 Home Runs, 74 RBIs

At age 29, Jose Altuve was able to transform himself as a hitter in 2019. Once seen as a contact hitter who didn’t hit many home runs, Altuve hit a career-high of 31 in 2019. However, his stolen base numbers have fallen off. Once stealing 56 bases back in 2014, Altuve stole just six on 11 attempts last year. Defensively, Altuve is around league-average, but far from anything special. Love him or hate him, Altuve is still in the elite level of MLB second basemen.  

1. Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks

2019: 144 games, .329/.389/.592 splits, .981 OPS, 32 Home Runs, 92 RBIs

After several below-average seasons, Ketel Marte came out of nowhere and had a breakout year in 2019, posting career-highs in practically every statistic. Marte can hit for power, while also hitting well above .300. Despite playing a lot of center field last year, Marte can also play great defense at second. In 2018, Marte posted an elite 12 Rdrs in 131 games at second. With Arizona acquiring Starling Marte, Ketel Marte is projected to be the Diamondbacks’ everyday second baseman in 2020. Remember this guy’s name. He’s the best second baseman in MLB. 

Come Back for day 10 of my MLB Rankings, where I’ll third basemen from 30-21!

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