MLB Rankings: The top three second basemen in the majors right now
We will be compiling a list of the top three players at each position including designated hitter leading into Spring Training. These MLB best lists are based on career stats/accomplishments, 2018 statistics, and their projections going into 2019. Today we continue with Second Base.
Yesterday, I went through the top designated hitters in MLB, and today we move to second base. As stated in the title, there are only three spots to fill, so there are many second basemen that were not able to get on my list. Let’s first go through some of those players:
Just Missed
Robinson Cano (New York Mets)
Robinson Cano was a future hall of fame second basemen until he decided to use Furosemide, a diuretic that is banned by Major League Baseball and is considered a performance enhancing drug.
I am one of those people who never forget when someone cheats in baseball. If you take something that gives you an advantage over other people who are playing fairly by the rules, then you should not be in the Hall of Fame (yes I am referring to Bonds and Clemens). In this case, I am not letting Cano get away with this, so even though he is a great player, he does not deserve to be on the top three.
Scooter Gennett (Cincinnati Reds)
Reds second basemen Scooter Gennett continues to impress, and even though he is under rated, and it seems like the move from Milwaukee to Cincinnati was the best thing for him.
He has hit over 20 home runs both seasons with over 90 runs batted in as well. In 2018, he made his first All Star game, and finished the season hitting over .300 for the second time in his career.
Gennett would have made the top three if it wasn’t for the guy in front of him who had a breakout year himself….
3. Whit Merrifield (Kansas City Royals)
Whit Merrifield may not be the flashiest guy out there or put up the most home runs, but he is on the field everyday, and knows how to get on base.
Granted it does not help that he plays in a non contender in Kansas City, but he still was able to grab the attention of hard core baseball fans.
Merrifield, 30, had his best year yet with a batting average over .300 and an OPS over .800, but the stat that really stood out was not at the plate.
He stole a career high and league leading 45 bases, and the previous year stole 34 bags. Second basemen are usually fats and known for their speed and fielding, and he definitely fills that description very well.
Merrifield is projected to still steal nearly 30 bases along with hitting 13 home runs, driving in 61 runs.
He just signed a four year extension (fifth year option included) with the Royals worth $16.25 million. Some fans may wonder why Merrifield wants to be with a ‘losing’ team, but I would not blame him based off of the free agent market this off season and last.
His club is projected to win only 71 games, according to Pecota, and he is surrounded by young players, but there are is also still some veterans hitting behind Merrifield including Salvador Perez and Alex Gordon.
The second best second basemen on my list is now with a new team after reaching the playoffs last season…
2. Jed Lowrie (New York Mets)
The Oakland Athletics reached the postseason for the first time since 2014 when they fell to the Royals, but it was not without the help of Jed Lowrie.
Lowrie, 34, had his best year of his career setting career highs in home runs with 23 and runs batted in with nearly 100. He made his first All Star game, and even got some votes for last season’s American League Most Valuable Player award.
Lowrie went into the off season as a free agent, and he could have possibly signed back with the Athletics, but they traded for Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar to play second base, so that took Oakland out of the conversation. He eventually signed a 2 year, $20 million deal with his former agent Brodie Van Wagenen and the New York Mets.
Lowrie is projected to drive in 70 runs and hit 15 home runs in 2019 in his first season his new club. I would assume he will be their second basemen, and Robinson Cano will play first base. Lowrie should be a good fit in Queens as they have definitely made some moves to give the Braves a run for their money.
The Mets’ moves this off season include trading for closer Edwin Diaz and Cano, signing Jeurys Familia, Wilson Ramos, and Lowrie.
I put Lowrie ahead of Merrifield because I believe he will have more success in 2019 because he is on a contending team while Merrifield does not have the best players around him with the Royals.
My #1 second basemen is a former MVP winner and won a World Series a couple years back…
1. Jose Altuve (Houston Astros)
Astros second basemen Jose Altuve is five feet, six inches, but yet he is still the best second basemen in the league. Baseball owes him so much respect for what he has done.
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He is a six time All Star, 2017 World Series Champion, 5 time Silver Slugger, Gold Glove winner, and has won the batting title three times.
Last season, Altuve hit only 13 home runs with a batting average over .300, but to put it in perspective he played in about 20 less games than in 2017.
Altuve was put on the disabled list (now it is the injured list) for the first time in his career with a right knee injury, which just shows how reliable he has been in Houston (was a factor in me ranking him #1).
A big reason Altuve continues to be the best in the league is he has been with the Astros from the his whole career that includes being the leader of the team from he start of their rebuild all the way to the World Series title over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
You rarely see anyone stick with one team anymore for their whole career like Altuve, so if he stays in Houston, which I hope and believe he will, it will make him an even better player.
This coming season, Altuve is projected to hit 17 home runs, 65 RBI’s, and another year with a batting average north of .300.
Altuve will be my #1 second basemen in the league until he retires because of his ability to stay on the field, his commitment to one organization, and his longevity of greatness in an Astros uniform.
Next. Top three designated hitters in the game. dark
Tell me what you think and make sure to come back tomorrow to see the top three shortstops in the MLB right now!