X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

2017 Second Basemen: Top MLB Prospects for Fantasy Baseball

Welcome back, RotoBallers. I've already looked at the top 10 prospects for each MLB team, and now I'll be breaking down impact prospects by position. Today I'm bringing you my top 10 second basemen - MLB prospect rankings for the 2017 fantasy baseball season.

The second base position has seen better days, at least in the minors. Though second base is starting to become loaded with offensive juggernauts like Jose Altuve, Daniel Murphy and D.J. LeMahieu, there are not as many explosive second base prospects coming up through the minors. Some of the second base prospects could potentially have high impacts in the majors (see Yoan Moncada, Ozzie Albies), but many of the other guys considered to be top prospects at the position look to have futures more of as utility guys.

Part of this is because many of the top second basemen in baseball today came up as shortstop prospects. Guys like Brandon Phillips, Ian Kinsler, Javier Baez and Dustin Pedroia all came up as shortstops are eventually shifted over to second base. Even in the minors today, Ozzie Albies has shifted over to second from short and Franklin Barreto is likely going to follow that path as well (though for now, he only qualifies as a shortstop so he will not be listed here). But there are still some pure second base prospects who could have value in 2017 redraft leagues. These guys could all be sleepers in fantasy leagues and could produce for owners who are able to pick them up.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Top 10 Second Base Prospects for 2017 Fantasy Baseball

1. Yoan Moncada (CWS, MLB)
Stats: (from AA) 207 PA, .277/.379/.531, 11 HR, 9 SB, 13.0% BB rate, 30.9% K rate
ETA: Mid-May
This was a very easy choice. The White Sox recently released Brett Lawrie which leaves them with a grand total of zero quality second base options outside of Moncada. I mean really, is Tyler Saladino going to prevent Moncada from reaching the big leagues? I think not. Moncada is an explosive prospect with perhaps the most enticing skillset in the minors. All he needs to do is reduce his strikeout rate and make more consistent contact and he will be promoted by the White Sox. If he receives a promotion, he will warrant ownership in all leagues for his insane upside.

2. Ozzie Albies (ATL, AAA)
Stats: 247 PA, .248/.307/.351, 2 HR, 9 SB, 7.7% BB rate, 15.8% K rate
ETA: Mid-May
Much like Moncada, Albies will determine his own fate by how well he performs in 2017. He is currently blocked only by Brandon Phillips and Jace Peterson at second base and with the Braves in a rebuilding state, they may shift Phillips and Peterson to the bench in order to get Albies some playing time if he earns a promotion. Albies is a true burner who lacks power, but can still drive the ball to the gaps with consistency. If he gets the call up to the big leagues, Albies could provide owners with a ton of stolen bases, runs scored and a high batting average and should be owned in all leagues.

3. Alen Hanson (PIT, MLB)
Stats: (from AAA) 478 PA, .266/.318/.389, 8 HR, 36 SB, 6.7% BB rate, 16.3% K rate
ETA: Opening Day
Hanson has a chance to open up the season with the Pirates as a utility infielder with a chance for more playing time. While Hanson does not have the strongest bat out there, he is a very fast infield prospect with the chance to steal a ton of bases if given the time. Manger Clint Hurdle recently said Hanson could serve in a utility role like Josh Harrison did back in 2014 and with Jung-Ho Kang’s future in question, the opportunity could emerge for Hanson to receive a fair amount of starts in 2017.

4. Chad Pinder (OAK, MLB)
Stats: (from AAA) 465 PA, .258/.310/.425, 14 HR, 5 SB, 5.4% BB rate, 23.2% K rate
ETA: Opening Day
Pinder has maintained a track record of being a surprisingly decent power bat for a second baseman. He has posted double-digit home run totals every full season of his professional career and typically brings in a solid batting average to boot. He has issues with plate discipline which could limit his upside, but he only has to compete with Jed Lowrie right now for starting playing time at second base. Until the A’s start seriously considering Franklin Barreto as their 2017 second baseman, Pinder could be a solid sleeper add in deeper leagues.

5. Eliezer Alvarez (STL, A)
Stats: 499 PA, .323/.404/.476, 6 HR, 36 SB, 10.6% BB rate, 19.2% K rate
ETA: Early August
I know, it’s a bit crazy to put someone on here who has not even reached Class-A Advanced yet, but the Cardinals added the speedy second baseman to their 40-man roster. Clearly they have some confidence in his bat and believe he could potentially force his way to their 25-man roster this season. He is blocked by Kolten Wong, Jedd Gyorko and probably Jhonny Peralta, but if he hits well enough and Wong struggles, he could force himself up to the big leagues and leap frog the two veterans. But it is a longshot owners in mixed leagues should not count on unless injuries start coming up in St. Louis.

6. Ian Happ (CHC, AA)
Stats: 274 PA, .262/.318/.415, 8 HR, 6 SB, 7.3% BB rate, 21.9% K rate
ETA: Mid-August
Happ has about as much offensive upside as anyone on this list outside of Moncada and could be a strong fantasy producer if he gets the chance to start. Unfortunately for him, he is currently sitting behind both Javier Baez and Ben Zobrist on the second base depth chart in Chicago. His positional versatility gives him a little bit more of a chance to reach the majors than some of these other guys, but it should be noted that just about everyone on the Cubs can play every position. Happ is going to need some help from the injury bug to have a fantasy impact this season.

7. Wilmer Difo (WAS, MLB)
Stats: (from AA) 451 PA, .259/.318/.354, 6 HR, 28 SB, 7.5% BB rate, 13.1% K rate
ETA: Mid-August
Difo has some fantasy upside as a second baseman with a ton of speed. He could easily steal 30 bases in a single season and it would not take a ton of playing time to do it. The only problem is, he is going to have a tough time finding that precious PT. Daniel Murphy is not going to give up second base without an injury and Difo is pretty much limited to that position right now. If he gets a chance to start, his speed makes him immediately fantasy relevant. But who knows if he will ever get the chance to play on a regular basis.

8. Willie Calhoun (LAD, AAA)
Stats: 560 PA, .254/.318/.469, 27 HR, 0 SB, 8.0% BB rate, 11.6% K rate
ETA: September
No you did not misread any of that stat line. Yes, he hit 27 home runs and yes, he only struck out 11.6 percent of the time. His batting average was not great, but that was more the result of bad luck than lack of talent (.242 BABIP). The problem he faces is the same that so many before him face: no clear path to playing time. With Logan Forsythe and Chase Utley at second base, Calhoun will need an injury to occur to see any time in the big leagues. He would become a serious force with his power potential if he becomes a full-time second baseman in the majors, but it likely will not happen this season.

9. Carlos Asuaje (SD, MLB)
Stats: (from AAA) 597 PA, .321/.378/.473, 9 HR, 10 SB, 8.2% BB rate, 13.7% K rate
ETA: Early May
Admittedly, Asuaje is not the most exciting prospect out there. But like I said earlier, most of the second base prospects are going to be utility guys. Asuaje is a solid hitter who controls the strike zone well and manages to make consistent contact. He does not have much power and he is not going to steal more than 10-15 bases in a given season, but if he starts on a regular basis, he could provide owners with a solid batting average and a few steals. He could be a solid depth piece in deeper leagues when he is promoted.

10. Andy Ibanez (TEX, AA)
Stats: 340 PA, .261/.318/.391, 6 HR, 5 SB, 7.4% BB rate, 13.8% K rate
ETA: Late July
We’ve essentially reached the end of the second base prospect list. Ibanez is a solid hitter, but he has roughly the same skillset as Asuaje, only with a much tougher path to the majors. He is not going to pass Rougned Odor and if Odor gets hurt, Jurickson Profar is probably the next guy up at second base. If everyone gets hurt, Ibanez could be a solid own, but odds are he has little to no impact in 2017.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates Select Seth Hernandez with Sixth Overall Pick
Kyle Stowers

Punishes Former Team with Three-Homer Game
St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals Select Liam Doyle with Fifth Overall Pick
Daniel Gafford

Agrees to Contract Extension with Dallas
Colorado Rockies

Rockies Select Ethan Holliday Fourth Overall
Seattle Mariners

Kade Anderson Selected Third Overall by Seattle
Los Angeles Angels

Tyler Bremner Selected Second Overall by Angels in 2025 MLB Draft
Washington Nationals

Nationals Select Eli Willits First Overall
Cooper Flagg

Shut Down for Rest of Summer League
LeBron James

Hasn't Requested a Trade
Quinshon Judkins

Following Quinshon Judkins Arrest, NFL Declines Comment
Travis Hunter

Earning Praise in Jaguars Camp for Work Ethic
Memphis Grizzlies

Cole Anthony, Grizzlies Agree to Contract Buyout
Edward Cabrera

Hopeful to Avoid Injured List
Oneil Cruz

Absent on Sunday
Lars Nootbaar

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Jake Burger

Scratched on Sunday
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Back in Action on Sunday
Sean Manaea

Reinstated From Injured List
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Julius Chestnut

Kalel Mullings Competing for RB3 Role
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
Carlos Correa

Returns to Twins Lineup
Connor Norby

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Kimani Vidal

Fighting for No. 3 Job
Cam Hart

Recovering From Shoulder Surgery
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
Quentin Johnston

Might Not Get Many Chances to Prove Himself
Tre Harris

Officially a Holdout
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. Should Move Up on Sunday
Ross Chastain

is a Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Josh Berry

Should Be Avoided in Fantasy at Sonoma
Chris Buescher

is A Great DFS Option to Consider for Sonoma Lineups
Riley Herbst

a Deep Sleeper at Sonoma
Joey Logano

May be A Sneaky DFS Option Who Can Pay Off for Sonoma Lineups
Austin Cindric

Could Austin Cindric Work for DFS Lineups at Sonoma?
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar Worth Rostering For Sonoma DFS Lineups?
John Hunter Nemechek

Is John Hunter Nemechek A Sneaky DFS Play for Sonoma?
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Probably More Valuable for DFS If He Doesn't Flip the Stage
Alec Bohm

Unlikely to Play on Sunday
Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Brady House

Homers Twice on Saturday
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Alec Bohm

Makes Early Exit on Saturday
Brandon Woodruff

Records 10 Strikeouts
Byron Buxton

Continues to Shine, Hits for Cycle in Win
Garrett Crochet

Dazzles in Complete Game Shutout of Rays
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF