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MLB's top 10 second basemen for 2018
To be among the top second basemen in today’s game requires being adept at more than just one or two facets of the game. You cannot just get on base regularly or steal a ton of bases. At the same time, it takes more than just elite glove work or the ability to hit the ball over the fence habitually. Today’s top-tier second sackers bring a lot to the table, and many do the heaviest lifting for their respective clubs.
While reigning AL MVP Jose Altuve’s shadow (ironically) looms large over the position, the competition at the top is strong. Brian Dozier has established himself as one of the most well-rounded players in the game in Minnesota, while Robinson Cano’s consistency has endured and keeps Seattle inching toward an ever-elusive postseason berth. Meanwhile, the future of the position continues to impress, as Jonathan Schoop, Javy Baez and Whit Merrifield move along their growth curves.
The scene is solid among the top second basemen in the game. Let's dissect the top 10 at the position headed into the spring of 2018.
10. Jed Lowrie, Athletics. The journeyman’s strong 2017 effort went largely unnoticed in the abyss of Oakland, but it was an impressive output all the same. His 49 doubles were the second most in the AL, while his 4.0 WAR was a career best and checked in sixth among MLB second basemen.
Combined with his always solid glove play and ability to shift to third base if needed, Lowrie could be a popular in-season trade target if he can remain at this level for another year.
9. Javy Baez, Cubs. Baez is one of the most enticing and exciting players in the game, and there is so much more to come. On the heels of a breakout showing as a major part in propelling the Cubs to the 2016 World Series, he became a mainstay in the everyday lineup wherever Joe Maddon could work him in. This included over 70 games at both shortstop and second base, along with time at both corner infield slots and in right field as well.
Regardless of where he carried his glove, Baez continued to grow at the plate, raising his OPS by nearly 60 points from the year before in about the same amount of games played. He also topped 20 homers, 20 doubles, 75 runs scored and 75 RBI while reaching double digits in stolen bases for the second straight year as well. While he continues to gain greater plate discipline, he will begin to see even better pitches to work with.
8. Whit Merrifield, Royals. A year after being a surprise AL Rookie of the Year finalist for the Royals as a utility man, Merrifield affirmed himself at second base in his sophomore season. He slashed .288/.324/.460/.784 on the year, while leading the AL in stolen bases with 34. The most encouraging outcome regarding his overall potential, however, came in the big surge in power he showed. After connecting for only two long balls in 322 plate appearances as a rookie, Merrifield knocked out 19 on the year in less than 300 more at-bats. He may be a sleeper candidate for a 30/30 season in the future.
7. Scooter Gennett, Reds. Perhaps 2017's biggest and most unlikely breakout was Gennett's, who transformed himself after being released from the Brewers in March. Maybe it was the motivation of the release, or maybe it was making his way back to his hometown. Whatever the case, Gennett became a different man, raising his slugging percentage nearly 120 points on the back of a 27-home run breakout. This genesis was highlighted by a four-homer, 10-RBI night in June. All in all, he led all NL second basemen in home runs and RBI.
6. DJ LeMahieu, Rockies. LeMahieu’s greatest value is not one specific overwhelming impact; rather, it is his remarkable ability to stay consistent. His .310 average in 2017 marked the third consecutive year he topped .300. Over past two seasons, his split line sits at a surprisingly strong .328/.394/.450 with an average of 30 doubles, 100 runs scored and 65 RBI. Combine that with his elite defense at second — LeMahieu led the NL in fielding percentage, range factor and double plays turned at second en route to his third Gold Glove — and you have one of the most underrated players in the game.
5. Robinson Cano, Mariners. As he enters his age 35 season, it is time to appreciate the level at which Cano has remained as time moves along. While he did not equal the 7.3 WAR level he performed at in 2016, he still finished among the upper rungs of AL second basemen in doubles (33) and RBI (97).
As for the legacy discussion, Cano is beginning to be mentioned among the greats of all-time at the position. His .305 career average is seventh best among second basemen, while his 512 doubles have him only 30 behind passing Rogers Hornsby for fifth-most ever at the position. After passing 300 home runs late in 2017, he is also on pace to topple 2,500 hits for his career this summer.
4. Daniel Murphy, Nationals. Murphy is entering the final season of his three-year deal with the Nationals, which stands to be one of the biggest bang-for-the-buck contracts ever. In his two years in D.C. thus far, Murphy has twice led the NL in doubles with a total of 90. His .928 2017 OPS included 43 doubles, 23 home runs and a .322/.384/.543 split line. Even if he has a slightly lowered output in 2018, the two-time Silver Slugger winner has more than made good on the $37.5 million pact he signed in Washington.
3. Jonathan Schoop, Orioles. Quietly, Schoop has put together a rapid rise in the hierarchy of second basemen. In a 2017 season that saw him make his All-Star debut, Schoop hit 32 homers, drove in 105 runs, scored 92 runs and had an .841 OPS. Although he did strike out 142 times, many of the steady improvements in his game have come in large part due to a maturing approach at the plate. With Manny Machado likely entering his final year in Baltimore, Schoop is clearly the heir apparent as the franchise player for the O’s — at least until he reaches free agency himself.
2. Brian Dozier, Twins. A jack of all trades, Dozier followed up his breakout 2016 power performance with another brilliant all-around effort in 2017. He again topped 30 home runs, 90 RBI and 15 stolen bases, while crossing the plate more than 100 times for the fourth straight year. He also won his first Gold Glove in the process.
Entering the final year of his contract, it will be interesting to see how the Twins handle the decision to hold on to or move Dozier. After playing such a big part of their historic turnaround a year ago, if the Twins stay in the race again, it will be hard to justify moving him despite the likely high interest in his services across the league.
1. Jose Altuve, Astros
Altuve is the most relentless talent in the game and in a class completely of his own at the position. En route to leading Houston to its first World Series title, Altuve affirmed that he is the most unique elite player in the game’s history. He continues to put the pressure on as the best combination of contact and speed in the game. Altuve led the American League in hits for the fourth straight year in 2017, making him the first player ever to do so outright. Since 2014, he has averaged 219 hits per 162 games. Meanwhile, his increased power has not taken away his ability to keep up the pressure on the base paths, as his 32 stolen bases marked the sixth straight year he has topped 30 thefts.
Along the way, he continued to display a surprising amount of power, reaching 24 homers for the second straight year, while raising his OPS to a career-best .957 and scoring a career-high 112 runs. When the dust all settled, he led the majors with an 8.3 WAR, won his third batting title in four years (.346) and pulled away with AL MVP honors. If his regular-season exploits were not enough, he connected for seven more postseason home runs, including a pair of crucial shots against Chris Sale.
Left on deck: Starlin Castro (Marlins), Joe Panik (Giants), Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox), Cesar Hernandez (Phillies), Ian Kinsler (Angels)
More must-reads:
- MLB's top 10 starting pitchers for 2018
- Six dark horse MVP candidates for 2018
- The 'Last All-Star catcher from every MLB team' quiz
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