Second basemen don’t get the headlines all the time, but there are some pretty good ones in MLB. It’s a hard position to find a great hitter for fantasy baseball, but there are some available. Take a player from the top of this list of the 15 best at the position and you’ll be in good shape.
15. Logan Forsythe - Tampa Bay Rays
Getty ImagesForsythe isn't flashy, but he gets the job done. Perhaps more importantly, he moves around the diamond, so he's versatile in fantasy. He will hit around 15 home runs and will drive in a decent amount more. If he can build on his nine-steal performance from a year ago, he will be even more valuable.
Projected 2016 Stats: .276 batting average, 12 HRs and 49 RBIs
Forsythe isn't flashy, but he gets the job done. Perhaps more importantly, he moves around the diamond, so he's versatile in fantasy. He will hit around 15 home runs and will drive in a decent amount more. If he can build on his nine-steal performance from a year ago, he will be even more valuable.
14. Javier Baez - Chicago Cubs
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Baez won't even be a starter for the Cubs, but he will be a very valuable fantasy player. He's going to be the backup at nearly every position for Chicago, meaning he will still almost get regular playing time. With his power, don't pass on this potential gem in your draft.
Projected 2016 Stats: .268 batting average, 19 HRs and 60 RBIs
Baez won't even be a starter for the Cubs, but he will be a very valuable fantasy player. He's going to be the backup at nearly every position for Chicago, meaning he will still almost get regular playing time. With his power, don't pass on this potential gem in your draft.
13. Neil Walker - New York Mets
Getty ImagesPlaying in New York, Walker has the ability to build on his power potential a bit. The lineup in Queens isn't as deep as in Pittsburgh, so his run producing opportunities might go down, but his home run total could certainly go up. He's a borderline starter in most fantasy leagues.
Projected 2016 Stats: .258 batting average, 21 HRs and 67 RBIs
Playing in New York, Walker has the ability to build on his power potential a bit. The lineup in Queens isn't as deep as in Pittsburgh, so his run producing opportunities might go down, but his home run total could certainly go up. He's a borderline starter in most fantasy leagues.
12. Brandon Phillips - Cincinnati Reds
Getty ImagesPhillips is still a solid performer, but don't expect him to be too inspired in Cincinnati this season. The team doesn't figure to be competitive in a tough NL Central, so he may drop off by the dog days of summer. However, if he's dealt at the deadline, which is possible, he could carry some value down the stretch.
Projected 2016 Stats: .279 batting average, 11 HRs and 55 RBIs
Phillips is still a solid performer, but don't expect him to be too inspired in Cincinnati this season. The team doesn't figure to be competitive in a tough NL Central, so he may drop off by the dog days of summer. However, if he's dealt at the deadline, which is possible, he could carry some value down the stretch.
11. Dustin Pedroia - Boston Red Sox
Kim Klement-USA Today SportsIt's hard to believe Pedroia has an MVP award under his belt, because he's underachieved so much recently, but he's still a somewhat valuable fantasy option. If he can stay healthy, he will give you modest numbers everywhere, which is more than some at the position can say.
Projected 2016 Stats: .284 batting average, 13 HRs and 63 RBIs
It's hard to believe Pedroia has an MVP award under his belt, because he's underachieved so much recently, but he's still a somewhat valuable fantasy option. If he can stay healthy, he will give you modest numbers everywhere, which is more than some at the position can say.
10. Kolten Wong - St. Louis Cardinals
Getty ImagesWong is on the upswing of his career and has a contract extension under his belt. Since he will have to step up more this year, it looks like 2016 could be a breakout season for the second baseman. He won't become a star, but he will take a big step toward becoming one.
Projected 2016 Stats: .275 batting average, 17 HRs and 72 RBIs
Wong is on the upswing of his career and has a contract extension under his belt. Since he will have to step up more this year, it looks like 2016 could be a breakout season for the second baseman. He won't become a star, but he will take a big step toward becoming one.
9. Daniel Murphy - Washington Nationals
Getty ImagesMurphy went off in the playoffs last season which will make fantasy owners pick him earlier than they should, but he still has a lot of value. Above anything else, he's consistent, which counts for a lot in fantasy baseball. You know what you're getting with him, and what you get is pretty solid production.
Projected 2016 Stats: .288 batting average, 11 HRs and 65 RBIs
Murphy went off in the playoffs last season which will make fantasy owners pick him earlier than they should, but he still has a lot of value. Above anything else, he's consistent, which counts for a lot in fantasy baseball. You know what you're getting with him, and what you get is pretty solid production.
8. Ian Kinsler - Detroit Tigers
Getty ImagesThe move to Detroit has rejuvenated Kinsler the last two years, and he's primed for another solid season. Especially while hitting in an improved lineup, he will likely drive in more runs. As he moves away from his prime, Kinsler still has another good year or two left in him.
Projected 2016 Stats: .280 batting average, 14 HRs and 80 RBIs
The move to Detroit has rejuvenated Kinsler the last two years, and he's primed for another solid season. Especially while hitting in an improved lineup, he will likely drive in more runs. As he moves away from his prime, Kinsler still has another good year or two left in him.
7. Brian Dozier - Minnesota Twins
Getty ImagesDozier is a rare power threat from the second base position which makes him a rare value. If you can get power value from the position, jump on that opportunity. He's not going to hit for a great average, but if you have other players to pick up that slack, it's not a huge deal.
Projected 2016 Stats: .244 batting average, 24 HRs and 91 RBIs
Dozier is a rare power threat from the second base position which makes him a rare value. If you can get power value from the position, jump on that opportunity. He's not going to hit for a great average, but if you have other players to pick up that slack, it's not a huge deal.
6. Ben Zobrist - Chicago Cubs
Getty ImagesZobrist joins a loaded Cubs lineup as the everyday second baseman, and that's going to help his fantasy production. Even as he enters his mid-30s, he's still a very productive and versatile player. If he moves around enough in Chicago, he will be eligible at multiple positions, making him more valuable in fantasy.
Projected 2016 Stats: .266 batting average, 14 HRs and 70 RBIs
Zobrist joins a loaded Cubs lineup as the everyday second baseman, and that's going to help his fantasy production. Even as he enters his mid-30s, he's still a very productive and versatile player. If he moves around enough in Chicago, he will be eligible at multiple positions, making him more valuable in fantasy.
5. D.J. LeMahieu - Colorado Rockies
Getty ImagesLeMahieu burst onto the scene last year, hitting above .300 and stealing over 20 bases. Now, he looks to build on that performance in 2016. Of course, playing at Coors Field helps him out as well. At second base, there aren't a ton of better fantasy options in terms of overall value.
Projected 2016 Stats: .295 batting average, 8 HRs, 58 RBIs and 27 steals
LeMahieu burst onto the scene last year, hitting above .300 and stealing over 20 bases. Now, he looks to build on that performance in 2016. Of course, playing at Coors Field helps him out as well. At second base, there aren't a ton of better fantasy options in terms of overall value.
4. Dee Gordon - Miami Marlins
Getty ImagesObviously, Gordon's value doesn't come in his power. His value is in his batting average and steal totals. If you're short on base stealers, grab Gordon, who is the preeminent base stealer in the league. After drafting him, you're not going to need many other guys to swipe bags on your roster.
Projected 2016 Stats: .311 batting average, 3 HRs, 41 RBIs and 63 steals
Obviously, Gordon's value doesn't come in his power. His value is in his batting average and steal totals. If you're short on base stealers, grab Gordon, who is the preeminent base stealer in the league. After drafting him, you're not going to need many other guys to swipe bags on your roster.
3. Jason Kipnis - Cleveland Indians
Getty ImagesKipnis will have to carry the offense until June when Michael Brantley is expected back, which could see his run production trend upward. He has modest speed as well, so expect him to tally as many as 20 steals. He's underrated and could be in for a big 2016 campaign.
Projected 2016 Stats: .294 batting average, 11 HRs, 76 RBIs and 18 steals
Kipnis will have to carry the offense until June when Michael Brantley is expected back, which could see his run production trend upward. He has modest speed as well, so expect him to tally as many as 20 steals. He's underrated and could be in for a big 2016 campaign.
2. Robinson Cano - Seattle Mariners
Getty ImagesCano hasn't had superstar years in Seattle, but that could change this season with a better lineup surrounding him. At some point, the light bulb has to turn back on in his mind. That could happen this year as he could push 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. If you're looking for the best overall second baseman in fantasy baseball, you could make an argument it's Cano.
Projected 2016 Stats: .291 batting average, 26 HRs and 98 RBIs
Cano hasn't had superstar years in Seattle, but that could change this season with a better lineup surrounding him. At some point, the light bulb has to turn back on in his mind. That could happen this year as he could push 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. If you're looking for the best overall second baseman in fantasy baseball, you could make an argument it's Cano.
1. Jose Altuve - Houston Astros
Troy Taormina-USA Today SportsAltuve is the best second baseman in baseball, because he provides the greatest overall value. He hits for a great average, modest power and will steal around 30 bases a year. In a very exciting Astros lineup, he could actually see his best year yet. If you want the best second baseman in the league on your fantasy team this season, you have to draft Altuve.
Projected 2016 Stats: .324 batting average, 14 HRs, 71 RBIs and 32 steals
Altuve is the best second baseman in baseball, because he provides the greatest overall value. He hits for a great average, modest power and will steal around 30 bases a year. In a very exciting Astros lineup, he could actually see his best year yet. If you want the best second baseman in the league on your fantasy team this season, you have to draft Altuve.
