Hey, the place’d all people go? A yr in the past, second base appeared just like the “it” spot. Mookie Betts was anticipated to maneuver there extra completely from proper discipline and Xander Bogaerts was bumping over from shortstop whereas everybody was giddily awaiting the arrival of prime prospect Jackson Holliday.
Effectively, the place immediately seems extra barren. Betts and Bogaerts are at shortstop, Jose Altuve is an outfielder, Luis Arraez is spending extra time at first base and designated hitter, Holliday’s first big-league take a look at was rocky, and it now seems like Alex Bregman will not be making a place swap in Boston.
Quickly, the place might see an inflow of thrilling prospects, from Kristian Campbell to Travis Bazzana to Christian Moore. For now, although, it is a spot dominated by veterans. Not less than it’s going to get somewhat Jazzier!
Our eight-part place sequence continues with the highest 10 second basemen coming into the 2025 season.
2024 stats: .254/.316/.349, 7 HR, 87 wRC+, 2.5 fWAR
2025 ZiPS projections: .254/.317/.360, 9 HR, 90 wRC+, 2.6 fWAR
New rule: For those who steal 50 bases and win the Platinum Glove, you get a spot on the top-10 listing.
2024 stats: (Injured – didn’t play)
2025 ZiPS: 254/.340/.449, 19 HR, 114 wRC+, 3.6 fWAR
Coming off a misplaced yr recovering from shoulder surgical procedure, can McLain choose up the place he left off when he posted an .864 OPS and was a three-win participant in 89 video games as a rookie in 2023? If he can, he’ll zoom up this listing rapidly.
2024 stats: .237/.294/.417, 6 HR, 98 wRC+, 0.9 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .254/.310/.394, 11 HR, 98 wRC+, 2.8 fWAR
For now, Edman is starting the season because the Dodgers’ main second baseman. The very fact he might simply as simply play in heart, and can seemingly work in there, speaks to the distinctive versatility he brings. The switch-hitter obliterated left-handed pitching in his quick pattern with the Dodgers after lacking the start of the yr recovering from wrist and ankle accidents then earned NLCS MVP honors whereas starring within the postseason. It was a superb reminder that he is solely a few years faraway from a 6.2-bWAR season.
2024 stats: .273/.335/.373, 7 HR, 103 wRC+, 4.0 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .275/.335/.385, 9 HR, 105 wRC+, 4.2 fWAR
The Cubs missed Hoerner’s glove throughout the Tokyo Collection. Fortunately for them, he could be prepared for home Opening Day. It stays to be seen if there might be any lingering results from the flexor tendon surgical procedure he underwent in October, but when he seems like the identical man upon return, his protection, velocity and get in touch with abilities will virtually definitely proceed to make him one of the crucial worthwhile second basemen within the league.
2024 stats: .244/.311/.473, 21 HR, 123 wRC+, 2.3 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .242/.323/.458, 21 HR, 125 wRC+, 2.9 fWAR
It is a disgrace that the Rays must play at a minor-league park this yr, however Lowe and the Rays’ left-handed hitters might find yourself benefiting from the swap to George M. Steinbrenner Area, the place the right-field wall is eight toes nearer than The Trop’s. The brand new discipline has performed extraordinarily hitter-friendly to lefties. After back-to-back years with 21 homers, do not be shocked when Lowe units a career-high within the class this yr.
2024 stats: .251/.303/.404, 10 HR, 95 wRC+, 1.3 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .261/.314/.446, 18 HR, 108 wRC+, 2.4 fWAR
When he is wholesome, he tends to carry out like probably the greatest gamers at his place. However staying on the sphere has been an issue for Albies, who was restricted to 99 video games final yr. As well as, whereas his bat-to-ball abilities stay terrific, there was a relatively regarding drop in hard-hit price final yr that made him a league common batter when he did play. Then once more, each different season the final 4 years has been an All-Star yr for Albies. So, if that development sticks, I assume his fourth All-Star season is forward!
2024 stats: .252/.298/.340, 9 HR, 83 wRC+, 2.8 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .267/.327/.397, 13 HR, 108 wRC+, 4.6 fWAR
It is wanting increasingly more like his breakout offensive season in 2022 was an outlier, as his OPS and hard-hit price have dropped dramatically over the past couple years. At least, he’ll want to drag his on-base share again up above .300. Nonetheless, his elite protection and baserunning will make him a worthwhile participant in Toronto. That he was value 9.0 bWAR over the past two years whereas posting an OPS+ 11 p.c beneath league common demonstrates simply how particular his glove is. If park components are any predictor, maybe taking part in at Rogers Centre will not less than give him a slight enhance up from Cleveland.
2024 stats: .256/.324/.436, 24 HR, 110 wRC+, 4.0 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .251/.318/.448, 24 HR, 115 wRC+, 3.6 fWAR
After admirably making strikes to heart and third, Chisholm is again the place he began. He’ll present offensive upside like few others at second base. After an All-Star 2022 marketing campaign, Chisholm hasn’t totally taken the leap he is able to, however he did have an .815 OPS within the second half with the Yankees final season. His bat might be essential in lifting the lineup because the Yankees cope with a litany of accidents.
2024 stats: .237/.308/.391, 23 HR, 99 wRC+, 4.2 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .249/.321/.424, 23 HR, 112 wRC+, 4.4 fWAR
What number of gamers could possibly be value 4 wins in a down yr? Regardless of hitting league common final yr, Semien is coming off back-to-back All-Star campaigns and has completed within the prime three in MVP voting in two of the final 4 and three of the final 5 seasons. The final word ironman and one of many recreation’s prime defenders, Semien has missed not more than three video games in six of the final seven seasons. Over the past 4 years, he leads all second basemen in WAR.
2024 stats: .292/.372/.560, 36 HR, 151 wRC+, 6.3 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .270/.350/.483, 24 HR, 128 wRC+, 4.0 fWAR
Probably the most missed stars within the sport, Marte is certainly the highest offensive risk at his place heading into the 2025 season. He has 61 homers over the past two years and is coming off a 2024 All-Star marketing campaign by which he received a Silver Slugger Award and completed third in MVP voting whereas hitting the ball more durable than ever earlier than. His energy on the plate makes it straightforward to overlook that he additionally had considered one of his greatest defensive seasons by most superior metrics. With Christian Walker gone, his significance to an intriguing Arizona group goes up one other notch.
Honorable Mentions: Luis Garcia Jr. (Washington Nationals), Gleyber Torres (Detroit Tigers), Tyler Fitzgerald (San Francisco Giants)
Rowan Kavner is an MLB author for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand lined the L.A. Dodgers, L.A. Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved again to the West Coast in 2014. Observe him on X at @RowanKavner.
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