The Top Ten Second Basemen in 2022

Player Name

The second base position is one of the best in baseball. Just Baseball’s Peter Appel breaks down the names to watch up the middle this season.

By Zach Smith

These rankings are not a measure of performance; we are projecting the ten best at each position for 2022. We rewarded offensive prowess but gave an extra bump to well above-average defense:

DJ LeMahieu – NYY Whit Merrifield – KC Chris Taylor – LAD Jean Segura – PHI Tommy Edman – STL

Honorable Mentions:

The 28-year-old Polanco has already played in parts of eight seasons with Minnesota, and he’s been as steady as they come. Polanco’s a career .276 hitter with an OPS just below .800.

10. Jorge Polanco Minnesota Twins

India was the biggest breath of fresh air for the Reds, locking down the leadoff spot this team hasn’t had in a decade since Shin-Soo Choo. The 21 home runs are great.

9. Jonathan India Cincinnati Reds

The two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger got his first World Series ring and is coming off of the first 30-homer and 100-RBI season of his blossoming career.

8. Ozzie Albies  Atlanta Braves

The Crone-Zone can do everything on a baseball field. For our money, he is the best swiss army knife in baseball. His primary spot is second base, but he can easily slide to short or first base.

7. Jake Cronenworth San Diego Padres

If he can get back to peppering balls into the gap, pumping 25-30 balls out of the yard, and playing exceptional defense at a new position, it’ll be hard for him not to climb on this list.

6. Trevor Story  Boston Red Sox

Lowe was second in home runs at the position and first in wRC+ as a 26-year-old. He’s an offensive weapon that does strike out a lot, but he takes his walks to counteract that.

5. Brandon Lowe Tampa Bay Rays

Marte has found a home in Arizona and at second base, and he’s an absolute star. The soon-expected promotion of Alek Thomas should make him a full-time second baseman this year.

4.Ketel Marte Arizona Diamondbacks

Muncy is one of the best bats in baseball. He doesn’t hit for a high average, but he walked 14% of the time, good for 8th-best in the sport in 2021. Oh, and he hit 36 home runs with 26 doubles.

3. Max Muncy  Los Angeles Dodgers

A seven-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger might have been dethroned by our top dog’s prodigally powerful season, but Jose Altuve is still fully on the fast track to Cooperstown.

2. Jose Altuve  Houston Astros

He led the position in home runs, extra-base hits, and fWAR en route to a top-three AL MVP finish in 2021. Forget second basemen; Semien is one of the best players in the game.

1. Marcus Semien  Texas Rangers