Guess what everyone? It is time to truly get excited for baseball, both real and fantasy. This past Sunday, position players reported to spring training camps. For certain, baseball is in full swing! Actual baseball games aren’t far away. Since the beginning of January, I have articles to get fantasy managers ready for draft season. Last week, I looked at first basemen. In this Fantasy Baseball Second-Base Tiers edition, I turn my attention to those that man the second base bag.

As with all of my articles, debate and discussion are highly encouraged. Whether you agree or disagree isn’t what’s important. The exchange of ideas is. With that in mind, let’s get to it, shall we?

Tier One

Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers, age 31, 152 games, .307-39-107, 179 hits, 126 runs, 40 doubles, 126 runs, 107K, 96BB, .408/.579/.987, .316 BAbip, 14 SBs, 3 CS, 163 OPS+, .272 ISO, 15.4 SO%, 13.9 BB%, FantasyPros: 1, ESPN: 1.

Comment: Absolutely, without any doubt whatsoever, Betts is the top player at the position. In my estimation, he is the only second basemen worthy of a first round selection. Not only that, but he is one of the top three players in all of fantasy baseball.

Other than Ronald Acuna, if Betts is available when on the clock, give picking him plenty of thought. You won’t be disappointed. His eligibility at second and the outfield only adds to his value.

Tier Two

Marcus Semien, Texas Rangers, age 33, 162 games, .276-29-100, 185 hits, 122 runs, 40 2B, 110K, 72BB, .348/.478/.826, 122 OPS+, .291 BAbip, .201 ISO, 14.6 SO%, 9.6 BB%, FantasyPros: 3, ESPN: 2.

Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves, age 27, 148 games, .280-33-109, 96 runs, 167 hits, 107K, 46BB, .336/.513/.849, 124 OPS+, .233 ISO, 16.2 SO%, 7.0 BB%, .289 BAbip, FantasyPros: 2, ESPN: 3.

Comment: While Betts comfortably leads the way, these two are absolutely quality players in their own right. Of all the players in the majors, none can be counted on to be there every day like Semien. He played every game, regular and postseason, for the Rangers last season. In his previous two seasons, he played in 162 and 161 games. He is the most set and forget player in baseball.

As he is now 33, perhaps Semien should take a few plays off this season. He wore down late in the year, especially in the postseason. If the Rangers can convince him to take a breather now and then, his value will remain strong from beginning to end.

As for Albies, he was coming off an injury last season, as he only played in 64 games in 2022. However, there were no concerns with his health in 2023 as he played in 148 games. There should be no injury concerns moving forward as he has had 158, 160 and 156 game seasons in his career. In my estimation, Albies comes in a bit behind Semien on this Fantasy Baseball Second-Base Tiers edition, but not by much.

Tier Three

Jose Altuve, Houston Astros, age 33, 90 games, .311-17-51, 76 runs, 112 hits, 71K, 44BB, .393/.522/.915, 17.3 SO%, 10.7 BB%, .211 ISO, .348 BAbip, 151 OPS+, FantasyPros: 4, ESPN: 4.

Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres, age 31, 155 games, .285-19-58, 83 runs, 170 hits, 110K, 56BB, .350/.440/.790, .319 BAbip, .154 ISO, 16.5 SO%, 8.4 BB%, 120 OPS+, 19 SB, 2 CS, FantasyPros: NR, ESPN: NR.

Comment: Isn’t just the luck? I finished my second base tiers only to discover that the Padres announced they are moving Bogaerts to second to make way for Ha Seong Kim (see below). Frankly, Bogaerts has been a disappointment at short for San Diego. In fact, his 58 RBIs has to be one of the more stunning stats of any player last season.

However, moving to second puts him into the top players at the position. All of the Padres’ players fell well below expectations in 2023. That shouldn’t be the case in 2024, despite the loss of Juan Soto. It wasn’t that long ago that Bogaerts was hitting 20-30 homers and driving in 100 runs.

If he can get close to that, he will more than validate his inclusion here. As of this writing, neither FantasyPros or ESPN have updated their second base rankings to include him in them.

As for Altuve, he was obviously hurt for much of the year, as he only appeared in 90 games. Further, he is getting up there in age. Even so, Houston isn’t concerned, as they just signed Altuve to a five year extension. Ultimately, Altuve should put any injury concerns behind him this season.

After all, he played 146 and 141 games the previous two seasons. However, he’ll have to show that there are no concerns with his health during spring training. Until he does, Altuve slots in here instead of being ranked higher on this Fantasy Baseball Second-Base Tiers edition.

Tier Four

Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks, age 30, 150 games, .276-25-82, 94 runs, 157 hits, 109K, 71BB, .358/.485/.844, .300 BAbip, .209 ISO, 128 OPS+, 16.8 SO%, 10.9 BB%, FantasyPros: 9, ESPN: 5

Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs, age 26, 150 games, .283-9-68, 98 runs, 175 hits, 83K, 49BB, .346/.383/.729, .312 BAbip, .100 ISO, 97 OPS+, 12.1 SO%, 7.1 BB%, FantasyPros 6, ESPN 7.

Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees, age 27, 158 games, .273-25-68, 90 runs, 163 hits, 93K, 67BB, .347/.453,/800, .288 BAbip, .180 ISO, 118 OPS+, 14.6 SO%, 10.0 BB%, FantasyPros: 7, ESPN: 8.

Luis Arraez, Miami Marlins, age 26, 147 games, .354-10-69, 71 runs, 203 hits, 34K, 35BB, .393/.469/.862, .362 BAbip, .115 ISO, 133 OPS+, 5.5 SO%, 5.7 BB%, FantasyPros: 13, ESPN: 6.

Ha Seong Kim, San Diego Padres, age 28, 152 games, .260-17-60, 84 runs, 140 hits, 124K, 75BB, .351/.398/.749, .306 BAbip, .138 ISO, 110 OPS+, 19.8 SO%, 12.0 BB%, FantasyPros: 8, ESPN: 9.

Comment: Even with the move to shortstop, Kim gets placed in this tier. He is is already qualified at short as well as second and third. Of course, that only increases his value. Perhaps not moving around so much on the field will also help him produce even more at the plate.

As for the others, it is a matter of what a manager prefers to where they should be drafted. If homers are the goal, Marte and Torres go to the top of the list. If in a points league (as I am), Arraez has more value as he doesn’t strike out much. Hoerner’s versatility (also qualified at SS) gives him a boost in value.

Tier Five

Andres Gimenez, Cleveland Guardians, age 25, 153 games, .251-15-62, 76 runs, 140 hits, 112K, 32BB, .314/.399/.713, .289 BAbip, .192 ISO, 98 OPS+, 18.2 SO%, 9.2 BB%, FantasyPros: 11, ESPN: 13.

Bryson Stott, Philadelphia Phillies, age 26, 151 games, .280-15-62, 78 runs, 164 hits, 100K, 35BB, .329/.419/.748, .312 BAbip, .138 ISO, 85 OPS+, 15.6 SO%, 61 BB%, FantasyPros: 10, ESPN: 12.

Matt McLain, Cincinnati Reds age 24, 89 games, .290-16-50, 65 runs, 106 hits, 115K, 31BB, .357/564/.864, .385 BAbip, .216 ISO, 129 OPS+, 28.5 SO%, 7.7 BB%, FantasyPros: 5, ESPN: 11.

Comment: Frankly, it is possible that McLain passes quite a few people in these tiers. However, after only 89 games, he still has much to prove. That is especially true in FantasyPros and his top five rating. He could be very much over valued at that spot. Additionally, that SO% is troubling. To be a real value wherever he is drafted, he will have to cut that down significantly.

Regarding Gimenez, he had a down year in 2023 compared to the season before. His BAbip did him no favors (it was .353 previously). He has plenty of speed, as his 50 steals the last two years clearly indicates (30 in 2023). He added over 60 at bats, but still struck out the same number of times (112).

If Gimenez continues that trend and returns to the 141 OPS+ player he was in 2022, there is plenty of value to be found here on this Fantasy Baseball Second-Base Tiers edition.

Stott did a lot of good things last season and at age 26, he should continue to improve. He is in one of the best offensive teams in baseball. Don’t be surprised if he puts together a 20 homer season in 2024.

Second Base Values

Jorge Polanco, Seattle Mariners, age 30, 80 games, .255-14-48, 38 runs, 77 hits, 88K, 36BB, .335/.454/.789, .310 BAbip, .199 ISO, 115 OPS+, 25.7 SO%, 10.5 BB%, FantasyPros: 20, ESPN: 19.

Tommy Edman, St. Louis Cardinals, age 28, 137 games, .248-13-47, 69 runs, 119 hits, 84K, 35BB, .307/.399/.706, 91 OPS+, .150 ISO, .275 BAbip, 15.9 SO%, 6.6 BB%, FantasyPros: 17, ESPN: 14

Luis Rengifo, Los Angeles Angels, age 26, 126 games, .264-16-51, 55 runs, 104 hits, 82K, 41BB, .339/.444/.783, 111 OPS+, .308 BAbip, .180 ISO, 18.4 SO%, 9.2 BB%, FantasyPros: 26, ESPN: NR

Comment: Even with only 80 games played last season, Polanco going to the Mariners may propel him to be the biggest value on the board. After all, this is a player that hit 33 homers in 2021. Further, he has played in 152 or more games in his last two full seasons before 2022, Being ranked right around 20th provides all kinds of value for a manager wanting to wait until later in the draft to make a 2B selection.

When it comes to Edman and Rengifo, their versatility gives them increased value over those that only qualify at second. Without question, that is certainly the case with Rengifo, who isn’t even ranked by ESPN. Keep an eye on both during the spring and don’t hesitate to call their names late on draft day.

Second Basemen to be Cautious of

Zack Gelof, Oakland A’s, age 24, 69 games, .267-14-32, 40 runs, 72 hits, 82K, 26BB, .337/.504/.841, 137 OPS+, .331 BAbip, .237 ISO, 27.3 SO%, 8.7 BB%, FantasyPros: 12, ESPN: 18

Jeff McNeil, New York Mets, age 31, 156 games, .270-10-55, 75 runs, 158 hits, 65K, 39BB, .333/.378/.711, 96 OPS+, .288 BAbip, .108 ISO, 10.0 SO%, 6.0 BB%, FantasyPros 29, ESPN 10

Comment: First, let me say right off the bat that I am not suggesting that Gelof isn’t a draftable player. He well may be. However, there are all kinds of caution signs when it comes to him. His SO% is through the roof. He doesn’t walk much. Most likely, his BAbip isn’t sustainable.

Additionally, playing for an awful Oakland team helps no one’s value. His ranking at 2B is a little rich for my blood, especially on FantasyPros. If he starts to slide on draft day, though, he could very easily become a value on this Fantasy Baseball Second-Base Tiers edition.

Frankly, McNeil fell back to Earth after leading the league in hitting in 2022. After hitting 23 homers in 2019, he has hit just 26 in his last three full seasons combined. His top ten ranking on ESPN is way too high IMO. On FantasyPros, it’s different, as he is ranked 29th. In an ESPN league, I will let someone else draft him and I will take a player that I believe will provide much better value.

Second Base Faller

Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays, age 29, 109 games, .231-21-68, 58 runs, 87 hits, 119K, 50BB, .328/.443/.771, 113 OPS+, .275 BAbip, .212 ISO, 27.3 SO%, 11.5 BB%, FantasyPros: 22, ESPN 27

Comment: In almost all categories, Lowe was below what he’s provided throughout his career. His SO% was similar to what he produced in 2021, but without the home runs. His OPS+ was barely better than when he was a rookie. He is far from the player that hit 39 homers in 2021. Even as low as he is ranked by FantasyPros and ESPN, I will pass on Lowe in 2024.

 

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this Fantasy Baseball Second-Base Tiers edition! Debate and discussion are always encouraged when it comes to my fantasy articles. Do you agree or disagree? Have another first baseman or two in mind? Let’s talk about it.

The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show will be live every Sunday at 8 pm Eastern from here to the end of the fantasy season, at the least. Don’t miss out! In our last episode, we discussed our catchers tiers, risers and players to be cautious of.

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