We began last week with an evaluation of first base dynasty prospects. In many ways, first base is the easiest position to analyze. The top prospects stand out due to an excellent plate approach and/or massive raw power. It's relatively easy to judge prospects on just a few parameters.

Second base (and every other position) is much more difficult. A few of these guys have power. Most of them have speed. Guessing how these talents will translate up the ladder is a maddening task. As with first base, I will weigh information from scouting reports with actual statistical performances. As we get into the skill positions, it's worth noting that defense matters. Your fantasy league doesn't count it, but a strong defender will be given a lot more time to adjust to major league pitching. Why do you think Jackie Bradley Jr. is still hanging around Boston?

Be sure to also check out all of our 2016 fantasy baseball rankings articles. We have rankings and tiers across all positions, for MLB prospects, and for dynasty/keeper leagues.

The statistics reported are for the listed level only.

 

Second Base Dynasty Rankings

1. Yoan Moncada (2B, BOS, A-)
Stats: 359 PA, .278/.381/.440, 8 HR, 49 SB, 22.8% K rate, 11.7% BB rate
Age 20

Moncada is the easy top choice at second base. While some had hoped that the $63 million man would rapidly rise through the minors, it looks he'll advance level by level. We may see a debut anytime between the end of 2016 and mid-2018.

He was supposed to ooze power and athleticism. In that vein, an eight homer season is a minor disappointment. The important point is that he's showing tools. He still has 20 to 30 home run pop with speed. To me, the profile feels like Alfonso Soriano. Perhaps the power doesn't develop to that level. The best case scenario may include a couple 40/40 seasons. Pragmatists should be happy with 20/20 production.

No other prospect at the position has half the potential of Moncada, but you'll have to pay out the bum to acquire him as a result. At this point, the hype may outstrip the median projection.

 

2. Dilson Herrera (2B, NYM, AAA)
Stats: 360 PA, .331/.387/.517, 11 HR, 13 SB, 16.1% K rate, 7.8% BB rate
Age 21

Herrera made his major league debut earlier this season. He could jump into the lineup next season if/when Daniel Murphy leaves via free agency - that is if Wilmer Flores fails to lock down the role.

Herrera doesn't have any standout tools. He looks like a Neil Walker-type with solid production across four or five categories. That's par for the course at second base. His ceiling might include a couple 20/20 seasons. The median projection should look something like 12 home runs and 12 steals a year. I could see him settling into the top of the lineup thanks to a solid walk rate and a manageable strikeout rate.

 

3. Jose Peraza (2B, LAD, MLB)
Stats (AAA): 521 PA, .293/.316/.378, 4 HR, 33 SB, 8.6% K rate, 3.3% BB rate
Age 21

The comps for Peraza are certainly interesting. Names like Juan Pierre, Luis Castillo, and Dee Gordon are regularly mentioned. He's entirely reliant on BABIP and a high contact rate. We don't yet know how that will translate to the majors. If he's given an opportunity to settle in, he could be a 40 to 50 steal guy.

He was traded to the Dodgers midseason. It's a hit to his value. L.A. has excellent organizational depth which could push Peraza into a utility role. He may have to wait for injuries before he can earn regular playing time. Some instinct of mine expects Peraza to be traded over the offseason - possibly for starting pitching or even relief help. He just doesn't seem like the type of player the Dodgers would view as a long term asset.

 

4. Forrest Wall (2B, COL, A-)
Stats: 411 PA, .272/.349/.430, 7 HR, 23 SB, 17.3% K rate, 10.0% BB rate
Age 19

Wall was the 35th overall pick of the 2014 draft. He was also the first second baseman off the board. Scouts tend to undersell second basemen, and many observers considered his bat to be among the top 15 or 20 in the draft.

He had a successful debut in an offense friendly environment. His bat, power, and speed all grade as average or better. Speed is his best tool, and it's possible he could still reach the majors without it. He'll probably open next season in High-A. If he earns a promotion, he could become one of the youngest players at the Double-A level.

Projecting an ETA is an error fraught process. If I anticipated linear growth, we probably see him mid-2017 as a 21-year-old. If there's a step backwards in his development, he might be on the farm until 2019. A step forward plus an injury to DJ LeMahieu would open the door for a promotion next season.

For fantasy purposes, Wall projects to offer 10 home run power with 30 stolen base speed and solid ratios. LeMahieu is the 46th ranked fantasy player per Yahoo. Wall could be slightly more productive. Any player this far from the majors could bust for any number of reasons.

 

5. Micah Johnson (2B, CWS, AAA)
Stats: 347 PA, .313/.373/.463, 8 HR, 28 SB, 18.2% K rate, 9.2% BB rate
Age 24

Johnson had an opportunity to run with the second base job at the beginning of the season. Unfortunately, his first stint in the majors produced a meager .267/.329/.293 line with shaky defense. He was much better in Triple-A where he hit .315/.375/.466 with eight home runs and 28 stolen bases. He's back in the majors as part of September call ups, but he's unlikely to see regular playing time.

If you're in a typical dynasty league, Johnson is already owned. However, you may be able to convince his owner to sell low. The biggest hurdle for Johnson to overcome is internal competition. Carlos Sanchez has settled into a regular role at second base thanks to solid defense. His work with the bat is thoroughly unimpressive. Johnson definitely has a chance to oust Sanchez from the keystone next spring. Johnson could also serve in a super-utility role thanks to his plus speed.

Adding a modicum of power to his already patient profile has really buffed his fantasy ceiling. There's a chance he'll develop into a top-of-the-order bat to pair with Adam Eaton ahead of Jose Abreu. A .340 OBP is well within his reach. If he manages it, he's an easy candidate for 30 stolen bases. A history of high BABIPs and decent strikeout rates should ensure a workable batting average too.

To be clear, there is a serious bust risk with Johnson. It's not uncommon for speedy prospects to brush against the majors only to recede back into obscurity. Johnson's patient plate approach could help push the odds in his favor. Unlike some speedsters, he has a powerful, compact build. That should make it easier for him to develop sneaky power.

 

6. Alen Hanson (2B/SS PIT, AAA)
Stats: 529 PA, .263/.313/.387, 6 HR, 35 SB, 17.2% K rate, 7.0% BB rate
Age 22

Hanson may be the second baseman of the future for the Pirates. Incumbent Neil Walker is under club control through the end of 2016. With Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer, and Jung-ho Kang under control well beyond 2016, I imagine the Pirates will let Walker, uh, walk.

Without injuries, Hanson probably won't be a fantasy contributor in 2016. He has a speedy profile with gap power. Look for five to 10 home runs with 25 to 40 stolen bases. His arm isn't strong enough for shortstop, and he looks like a possible elite defender at second base. Defensive considerations will help him to stay in the lineup while he adjusts to major league pitching.

Overall, he's probably a bottom-of-the-order bat with one stand out category. This is the type of player who is usually freely available in standard mixed leagues. However, dynasty owners will have to jump on the bandwagon now.

 

7. Rob Refsnyder (2B, NYY, MLB)
Stats (AAA): 522 PA, .271/.359/.402, 9 HR, 12 SB, 14.0% K rate, 10.7% BB rate
Age 24

If Refsnyder's defense drew more positive reviews, he would have started for the Yankees this season. He's fringy at the position which could force him into a fourth outfielder role. I have trouble seeing the Yankees handing an unproven, non-elite prospect a starting job. Instead, they could sign one of Howie Kendrick, Murphy, Chase Utley, or Ben Zobrist.

Refsnyder has some speed and power with solid plate discipline. I'd project about 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases over a full season. If he plays, he'll bat near the bottom of the lineup. The Yankees still possess a strong offense. He could offer average production across all five categories.

The best case scenario marks him as a viable mixed league pick next season. More likely, he'll continue to hang around the fringes of the Yankees roster. He's still a solid dynasty asset in case he finds regular playing time via strong play or injury to his competition. It wouldn't surprise me to see him traded this offseason.

 

8. Wilmer Difo (2B, WAS, AA)
Stats: 377 PA, .279/.313/.389, 2 HR, 25 SB, 20.2% K rate, 3.2% BB rate
Age 23

After years of irrelevance, Difo burst onto the prospect scene last season. He popped 14 home runs with 49 stolen bases and a .315/.360/.470 slash. That came as a 22-year-old in Low-A, but it was enough for the Nationals to add him to the 40-man roster.

His position on the roster has made him an obvious candidate for emergency call ups. He was summoned a couple times this season and still has two more options. The club plans to roll with Danny Espinosa, Trea Turner, and Anthony Rendon around the infield next year. Difo may find regular opportunities. Espinosa and Turner could struggle, and Rendon had earned the injury prone label even before he was drafted.

Unfortunately, Difo's power outburst at Low-A didn't translate up the ladder. He started strong at High-A but petered out at Double-A (99 wRC+). He did continue to run regularly. While Difo may see some major league time next year, he's still another breakout away from reaching fantasy relevance. Of the eight players profiled here, he's the most likely to immediately fade into obscurity. The other seven should at least settle in as bench players.

 

Names To Watch

What we have here is a veritable Who's Who list of future utility infielders. We'll see a similar group among the shortstops. The second base profile is difficult to handicap because it depends upon a number of intangible skills. For example, Joe Panik never did anything to look like more than a bench bat. Nor does he have exceptional tools. He'll finish 2015 with 3.8 WAR in just 423 plate appearances because he can control the strike zone. Any one of these guys could pull their version of a Panik.

Andy Ibanez (2B, TEX, N/A)

Another Cuban import, Ibanez has not yet played in professional baseball. The 22-year-old is described as thoroughly average. Baseball America's Ben Badler likes him more than fellow Cuban Roberto Baldoquin.

Chad Pinder (2B, OAK, A+)

Pinder rates as a fringy shortstop who is expected to move down the defensive spectrum. I'm not sure he has enough power to be a fantasy contributor.

Jamie Westbrook (2B, ARI, A+)

Westbrook did well to improve his stock by bashing 16 home runs with 14 steals.

Avery Romero (2B, MIA, A+)

Romero was supposed to show more power by now (just three home runs in 505 PA).

Scott Kingery (2B, PHI, A-)

Kingery was the first second baseman selected in the 2015 draft (48th overall). He could leap up the list next season.

Drew Robinson (2B/3B TEX, AA)

Robinson wasn't on many prospect lists entering the season, but a 21 homer, 16 steal campaign should push him into consideration. His high strikeout plate approach is unusual for a second base prospect.

Sean Coyle (2B/3B, BOS, AAA)

After a potent 2014 season (AA .295/.371/.512, 16 HR, 13 SB), Coyle struggled with injury this season.

Tony Kemp (2B, HOU, AAA)

The lazy comp is Jose Altuve due to his diminutive size. Kemp doesn't have the same surprising pop, but he does have 30 SB speed and good contact rates.

Joe Wendle (2B, OAK, AAA)

Traded for Brandon Moss, Wendle hit nine home runs and stole 12 bases in 613 plate appearances. I think he's a utility bat.

Andrew Velazquez (2B/SS, TAM, A+)

Velazquez broke a hamate bone and lost most of the season. Last year, he hit nine home runs and stole 50 bases at Low-A. He's technically still a shortstop.

Ronny Rodriguez (2B, CLE, AA)

Defense first future utility man. Draws criticism for a lack of contact skills but does have sneaky power (11 home runs in 285 plate appearances). The stats remind me of Sean Rodriguez.

Wendell Rijo (2B, BOS, A+)

Has decent pop, some speed, and is young for his level (just turned 20).

Maxwell Moroff (2B, PIT, AA)

Another guy with some power and some speed. Seven home runs and 17 stolen bases in 612 plate appearances this season. Unlikely to help a fantasy owner.

 

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