Fantasy Baseball Prep Week: 2B, Hidden Gems
- iAmMizz!
- Mar 11, 2020
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 13, 2020
In a bizarre shift in the MLB, 2B has actually become one of the deepest fantasy positions in the sport. One reason for this is that many players seem to shift in and out of the diamond at second nowadays, being that it is one of the easier positions to play. Because of this, more and more sluggers have either taken up the position in general (in recent years), or at least gained eligibility at it. There are also more stronger, beefier, second basemen that can crush the ball now than ever before. As fantasy managers, our job is always to study the trends and adjust our strategy accordingly, so how does the 2B market determine how we draft the position in 2020?
Format: Using projected ESPN Fantasy (points) ranks, I'll list each position's notable players and highlight sleepers and busts (in relation to their draft stock). Projected points are based on settings used in a league I have been a part of for 10+ years, and do not always correlate:
Single- 2, Double- 5, Triple- 15, Homer- 10 (plus RBI/Run Scored)
Run Scored- 3, RBI- 5, Walk - 2, Stolen Base- 3
(NEGATIVES) Strikeout- 2, Caught Stealing- 2, GIDP- 5
*Eligible but none-primary second basemen will be listed at the bottom of this article, and discussed in more detail during their own primary position write-up.
TIER 1
**Key- Position Rank/Overall Rank. Player Name, Team (projected points)
1/27. Jose Altuve, Astros (419): (DISLIKE) Right now you can look at star Astros one of two ways. You could think of their rank precariously, as players who are likely to regress after the sign-stealing scandal, or you could figure that they are still talented players with something to prove. I'll assume that the former is the likelier of the two scenarios, and I'll avoid Houston players unless they really plummet in drafts (to a more premium value).
3/37. Ozzie Albies, Braves (454): (DISLIKE) Albies is still a young player with a ton of upside that will bat right in the thick of a powerful lineup, and his game checks all the boxes. Having said that, this position is deep this year, so you should always weigh the pros and cons of drafting a guy in the 3rd or 4th, that might end up with the same value as a guy in the 6th or 7th.
5/52. Keston Hiura, Brewers (399): (LIKE) The next Brian Dozier-type second baseman is here. Hiura batted .303 with a .570 slugging and 19 HR 49 RBI in 314 at bats. He's projected to bat 560 times this season, you do the math.
6/56. Jonathan Villar, Marlins (313): (BUST) At first glance you might think, how does going from Baltimore to Miami negatively effect Villar's fantasy value (he posted 1,233 points with the Orioles in 2019)? Both teams are horrible, the Marlins might even be better, what's the difference? That was my thinking too, but then I remembered that Miami plays in a pitcher's ballpark against some of the best rotations in baseball (the NL East) and Villar K's like a fiend, while Camden Yards is one of the top hitter's parks paired with sub-par AL pitching... also SS eligible and may gain 3B.
7/58. Whit Merrifield, Royals (409): (LIKE) Merrifield isn't flashy, but he racks up consistent points every year because he hits for a very high average, steals bases, scores runs, and has some pop here and there... plus he has RF eligibility so he can factor as an IF/OF flex.
8/79. DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (389): (DISLIKE) I'll probably take some heat for this, but LeMahieu is coming off an outlier of a career season with NY where he averaged 9.6 per game (tied for second). I like his versatility as a 2B/1B/3B, but I think he'll get over-drafted in 2020, especially if you're in a league with Yankee fans like I am.
9/88. Max Muncy, Dodgers (446): (LOVE) Muncy demonstrated 2018 wasn't a fluke by topping those numbers in '19. With LeMahieu type eligibility (2B/1B/3B) and just as talented of a supporting cast around him, I'd go Max (who has more brute power) over DJ this season.
TIER 2
13/123. Cavan Biggio, Blue Jays (377) (SLEEPER) With this last name, he's not really a sleeper, but the superstar potential of Biggio and other tier 2 second basemen showcases the depth of the position in 2020.
14/132. Gavin Lux, Dodgers (301) (SLEEPER) The man above Lux has expectations to break out for the Jays, but Gavin could do the same in Los Angeles. We only got a taste of Lux last year, and his PPG finished at a lowly 5.7, but the raw ability was there and I think the top prospect is worth every penny.
15/169. Brandon Lowe, Rays (342): (BUST) Lowe can hit, but his strikeout to walk numbers from 2020 are alarming (113 K's, 25 BB's). To be fair, Hiura's are similar, but the Rays can be unpredictable and have a lot of depth to play around with.
17/189. Ryan McMahon, Rockies (279) [3B Eligible]
18/199. Rougned Odor, Rangers (272)
20/212. Kolten Wong, Cardinals (350)
21/216. Garrett Hampson, Rockies (265) (BUST) Between Hampson, McMahon (above), Daniel Murphy, and Ian Desmond, somebody's splitting time here, unless Arenado gets traded. Until then, I wouldn't count on any of these guys. EDIT- Ian Desmond has opted out of the season, but still not crazy about any of these three Rockies.
23/236. Starlin Castro, Nationals (366): (BUST) Another logjam situation, Castro will go from starting full-time in Miami to competing for at bats in Washington... also has 3B eligibility.
24/238. Luis Arraez, Twins (360) [LF Eligible]
25/243. Cesar Hernandez, Indians (348)
TIER 3
26/246. Nick Madrigal, White Sox (274): (WATCH LIST) He may start the season in the minors (even after the delay), but keep an eye on yet another White Sox top prospect who could turn heads once called up.
27/250. Jonathan Schoop, Tigers (329)
28/251. Tommy La Stella, Angels (332): 3B
30/274. Jurickson Profar, Padres (313): (BUST) Unless he finds his swing, Profar has lost almost all fantasy value after losing multi-position eligibility this Winter.
31/302. Robinson Cano, Mets (252): (SLEEPER) Robbie Cano is still Robbie Cano, and he's worth a low round flier as a full-time starter on a team that should be fighting for the playoffs. Worst case scenario, you cut ties in free agency.
33/329. Mauricio Dubon, Giants (214) (WATCH LIST) Dubon displayed power, some speed, and a high contact-rate in the minors. In a brief stint with the Giants at the end of 2019, he hit four homers and managed to maintain that positive bat-on-ball percentage. Don't draft him, but keep him mind as he continues to develop in San Francisco.
34/330. Adam Frazier, Pirates (329)
LONG SHOTS
35/349. Shed Long, Mariners (245)
36/355. Hanser Alberto, Orioles (292) (WATCH LIST) Like most Orioles, you may have no clue who this is, but that didn't stop Alberto from hitting .305 through 524 AB's in 2019.
37/363. Dee Gordon, Mariners (190)
42/387. Jose Peraza, Red Sox (187) [SS/LF Eligible]
43/392. Isan Diaz, Marlins (219) (WATCH LIST) The prospect may get a lot of playing time this season in Miami with Starlin Castro gone.
44/393. Nicky Lopez, Royals (292) [SS Eligible] (WATCH LIST) Similar prognosis as Isan Diaz, Lopez should get a hard look from KC at 2B in 2020.
46/410. Enrique Hernandez, Dodgers (313) [CF Eligible]
47/448. Wilmer Flores, Giants (182)
48/470. Eric Sogard, Brewers (190)
49/480. Franklin Barreto, Athletics (174)
51/486. Jason Kipnis, Cubs (160)
OPT-OUTS (so far)
Brian Dozier, Free Agent- Released by Padres for unknown reasons, possible opt-out.
2B Eligible, but not considered second basemen by trade
2/35. Gleyber Torres, Yankees (404): SS/2B
4/42. Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks (485): CF/2B
10/94. Mike Moustakas, Reds (408): 3B/2B
11/99. Jeff McNeil, Mets (437): LF/2B/3B/RF
12/118. Eduardo Escobar, Diamondbacks (461): 3B/2B
16/187. Tommy Edman, Cardinals (376): 3B/2B
19/202. Kevin Newman, Pirates (334): SS/2B
22/226. Michael Chavis, Red Sox (238): 1B/2B
30/274. Niko Goodrum, Tigers (245): SS/2B/LF
32/307. Howie Kendrick, Nationals (372): 1B/2B
35/332. David Fletcher, Angels (269): 3B/2B/SS/LF
39/366. Asdrubal Cabrera, Nationals (293): 3B/2B
40/371. Luis Urias, Brewers (137): SS/2B
41/373. Freddy Galvis, Reds (274): SS/2B
46/401. Chris Taylor, Dodgers (285): LF/SS/CF
So if you didn't get the vibe from the highlighted blurbs and just the sheer length of this list... especially when you include 2B eligible stars like Gleyber Torres, Eduardo Escobar, Ketel Marte, Jeff McNeil, Mike Moustakas, and more... there is a wealth of depth at second base in 2020. To me, that always makes the position less crucial in drafts, and also makes me less likely to reach for a 2B (unless I really love the player). My advice, keep tabs on some of the budding prospects and monitor this list, but don't be the first person to pick this position on draft day.
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