2020 Fantasy Baseball: Top 10 Second basemen
Jonathan Villar, Miami Marlins
2020 STEAMER: .258 AVG / .735 OPS / 27 2B / 4 3B / 17 HR / 62 RBI
2019 MLB Season: .274 AVG / .792 OPS / 33 2B / 5 3B / 24 HR / 73 RBI
Jonathan Villar returned to his 25-year-old self last season, posting decent stats with the lowly Baltimore Orioles. Now, with a new team, Villar hopes to improve upon 2019 and help the Miami Marlins to start the process of ascending in the NL East.
The Steamer system projects Villar to experience a bit of a drop-off this season, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that were the case. Like Cavan Biggio, only take Villar if other second basemen on this list are off the market.
Keston Hiura, Milwaukee Brewers
2019 MLB Season: .303 AVG / .938 OPS / 23 2B / 2 3B / 19 HR / 49 RBI
2020 STEAMER: .272 AVG / .827 OPS / 32 2B / 3 3B / 29 HR / 91 RBI
Keston Hiura debuted to much anticipation last season, and for the most part, he delivered. Hiura’s season ended prematurely last season after a left hamstring strain landed him on the IL.
This season, however, he’s looking to build upon a solid rookie season and emerge as a top-three second baseman in the National League. As a matter of fact, don’t be afraid of picking Hiura higher in your draft. He may just be the sleeper that takes your team over the edge.
Whit Merrifield, Kansas City Royals
2019 MLB Season: .302 AVG / .811 OPS / 41 2B / 10 3B / 16 HR / 74 RBI
2020 STEAMER: .282 AVG / .764 OPS / 32 2B / 6 3B / 14 HR / 65 RBI
Whit Merrifield has steadily improved with every MLB season. So much so that the 2019 MLB season, his first all-star worthy season, was by far the best of his career.
Now, the Steamer system is projecting a dropoff for Merrifield in 2020. I don’t necessarily buy it. However, he is 31-years-old and with a potential change to the baseball – again – I wouldn’t be surprised.
Personally, I’d take the risk on Hiura and draft him ahead of Merrifield.