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MLB: Ranking the Top 30 Second Basemen for the 2017 Season

By Greg Goldstein

Sep 7, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) runs out an RBI single in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) runs out an RBI single in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 12, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels second baseman Danny Espinosa (3) makes the play for the out against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels second baseman Danny Espinosa (3) makes the play for the out against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

30. Jose Peraza (Cincinnati Reds)

0.1WAR 72 G 256 PA .324 BA .352 OBP 8 2B 3 HR .411 SLG .762 OPS 33 SO 7 BB 21.3% Hard Contact

29. Brandon Drury (Arizona Diamondbacks)

0.0 WAR 134 G 499 PA .282 BA .329 OBP 31 2B 16 HR .458 SLG .786 OPS 100 SO 31 BB 32.9% Hard Contact

28. Danny Espinosa (Los Angeles Angels)

1.7 WAR 157 G 601 PA .209 BA .306 OBP 15 2B 24 HR .378 SLG .604 OPS 174 SO 54 BB 33.4% Hard Contact

27. Kolten Wong (St. Louis Cardinals)

1.5 WAR 121 G 361 PA .240 BA .327 OBP 7 2B 5 HR .355 SLG .682 OPS 52 SO 34 BB 25.9% Hard Contact

26. Jedd Gyorko (St. Louis Cardinals)

2.9 WAR 128 G 438 PA .243 BA .306 OBP 9 2B 30 HR .495 SLG .801 OPS 96 SO 37 BB 34.8% Hard Contact

Normally on the backend of a list like this you get a majority of unproven guys looking to earn their reputation as MLB caliber ballplayers.

Jose Peraza is another one of those more unproven guys in these rankings. He will bring a change of pace to Reds fans that saw Brandon Phillips occupy second base for over the past decade. The Reds acquired Peraza in that three-way deal involving Todd Frazier. Once a top prospect prior to coming into MLB, Peraza still offers some clear upside this season. He hit over .320 in his short time in the majors last season, but he doesn’t really profile as this type of hitter at the next level. More of a speed player than power guy, Peraza has a pretty good hitting tool that should be enough for the Reds to invest in him for the future.

Brandon Drury was another player that had a solid season in 2016. He takes the full-time second base role from Jean Segura after the Diamondbacks traded him this offseason. Drury definitely has some upside, but he doesn’t have experience in being a starter just yet, which should temper expectations. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised of he continues to develop in the years to come and moves further of this list in the future.

Kolten Wong and Danny Espinosa should be solid fill-ins for their respective clubs. Wong offers a little more all around offensive upside, while Espinosa is switching over from shortstop and offers some solid power for the position.

Jedd Gyorko may be in the intriguing situation on this list because after he lost the third base job to Jhonny Peralta, he will likely platoon with Kolten Wong in St. Louis. Gyorko was great at points in 2016, even though he did hit some slides. He was a disappointment with the Padres before seemingly finding himself with the Cardinals. Thirty bombs is certainly nothing to scoff at, but I’m a bit skeptical that his production may just be more of a one year wonder, especially considering that he isn’t likely to get regular at bats in 2017.

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