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MLB Top Ten Second Base Prospects For The 2017 Season

By Benjamin Chase

Feb 28, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada (10) hits a pitch in the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada (10) hits a pitch in the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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10. Max Schrock, Oakland Athletics

At 5’8″, 180 pounds, Schrock looks like the prototype “grinder” player, and he was a selection from South Carolina by the Washington Nationals in the 13th round of the 2015 draft.

In 2016, the Nationals traded Schrock to the Oakland Athletics for Mark Rzepczynski for their playoff run, and the Athletics barely got a view of Schrock, with just 8 games total in the Oakland system on the year.

Schrock is a guy who can handle other positions, but he profiles best at second base with good fielding actions and smooth work around the second base bag.

His bat has been what has impressed thus far. In his minor league career thus far, he’s hit .326/.369/.449 with 42 doubles, 11 home runs, 24 stolen bases, a 5.77% walk rate, and a 7.61% strikeout rate over 175 games.

Granted, he’s just played 6 games at AA or higher at this point, but at only 21, that’s fairly expected. Schrock turned 22 over the offseason and will likely open 2017 with AA Midland. If he can keep his impressive pace, he could challenge for a major league job as soon as 2018.

9. Scott Kingery, Philadelphia Phillies

The son of former big league outfielder Mike Kingery, Scott has always received high marks for his baseball instincts and feel for the game through his time at the University of Arizona.

The Phillies selected him in the 2nd round of the 2015 draft, and by the end of 2016, he was playing with their AA club in Reading, an impressive leap through the system.

Kingery really doesn’t have a standout set of tools in that he’s not likely going to be a guy that sets fantasy teams’ seasons in a positive or negative direction based on his production, but he should be an above-average hitter with plus speed and excellent fielding at second base.

With young elite fielder J.P. Crawford prepared to take over as the Phillies shortstop of the foreseeable future at some point in 2017 most likely, and 2018 if not this season, Kingery could soon join him as the future up the middle in Philadelphia.

Kingery’s offensive profile is that of a guy who will likely top out at 10-12 home runs, but could slap a ton of doubles with good gap power along with excellent speed and quality defense at the position.

Next: #7, #8

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