2020 Fantasy Baseball: Top 10 H2H second basemen, ranked
Who are the top 10 second basemen in H2H fantasy baseball leagues for 2020? Let’s take a closer look and rank them for your convenience.
A few days ago, we walked you through who the top 10 first basemen are in 2020 H2H fantasy baseball leagues. Today, we’re going to take a deep dive at second base.
As we mentioned previously, to make our determinations, we crowdsourced the major fantasy platforms (ESPN, CBS, Yahoo!, etc.) and then ranked each player based on their average ranking position.
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At number 10, we have a promising player who officially made his mark on the big stage last season…
Cavan Biggio, Toronto Blue Jays
2019 MLB Season: .234 AVG / .793 OPS / 17 2B / 2 3B / 16 HR / 48 RBI
2020 STEAMER: .235 AVG / .759 OPS / 23 2B / 3 3B / 20 HR / 65 RBI
Cavan Biggio is one of baseball’s sleeper players. He doesn’t carry with him flashy stats, but for the most part he does everything really well.
Now, when drafting your team, be wary of taking Biggio. He won’t hit for average and will carry with him a good amount of strikeouts. He will, however, feature some decent power.
The Steamer system projects Biggio to suffer something of a sophomore slump, and I tend to agree with that. This position contains the least amount of depth, however. So, if you need to fill the position and everyone else on this list has already been taken, Biggio is probably you next best bet.
2020 Fantasy Baseball: Top 10 Second basemen
Mike Moustakas, Cincinnati Reds
2019 MLB Season: .254 AVG / .845 OPS / 30 2B / 1 3B / 35 HR / 87 RBI
2020 STEAMER: .257 AVG / .827 OPS / 27 2B / 1 3B / 36 HR / 97 RBI
I’m not going to lie, I’m not really sure what position Mike Moustakas will play this coming season. Last season, he spent some time at second base, however, so he should qualify for the position in your H2H league.
Power has never been a problem for “Moose,” which makes him an attractive option at second in fantasy baseball leagues. Patience, however, has never been Moustakas’ forté. Though I will admit that in the last few seasons, he has increased his OBP a touch.
The Steamer system projects Moustakas to have a similar season, with a slight uptick in RBIs. This should result in more fantasy points and could make him an attractive option. Especially when you consider his versatility in being able to play 2B and 3B.
Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers
2019 MLB Season: .251 AVG / .889 OPS / 22 2B / 1 3B / 35 HR / 98 RBI
2020 STEAMER: .241 AVG / .823 OPS / 22 2B / 1 3B / 29 HR / 80 RBI
Max Muncy is another one of those versatile players that will qualify to play multiple positions in H2H leagues. I had him on my team last season and I couldn’t be happier with the level of production he provided my team.
Now, the Steamer system is predicting a drop-off in production for Muncy next season. I happen to disagree, however. The Dodgers lineup is deeper this season and Muncy will benefit from the level of protection he will receive as a result of this.
He may not slug .900 or hit 40+ HR, but he will be a valuable commodity on many fantasy teams. Don’t be shy about drafting Muncy higher; you may not regret it.
DJ LeMahieu, New York Yankees
2019 MLB Season: .327 AVG / .893 OPS / 33 2B / 2 3B / 26 HR / 102 RBI
2020 STEAMER: .285 AVG / .780 OPS / 30 2B / 2 3B / 19 HR / 74 RBI
If we were to translate the term literally, DJ LeMahieu was arguably the “most valuable player” in baseball last season. He stepped in to play different positions when necessary, all the while maintaining his status as the anchor of an injury-filled New York Yankees team that went on to win 103 games last season.
However, though the Steamer system projects a steep drop-off in production for LeMahieu next season, consider that he will (fingers crossed) be the everyday second baseman for the Yanks. This means he can truly focus on maintaining his level of offensive production.
Don’t expect another magical season from DJ; at the same time, don’t be surprised if he is one of the best second basemen in baseball either.
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.
2020 Fantasy Baseball: Top 10 Second basemen
Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks
2019 MLB Season: .329 AVG / .981 OPS / 36 2B / 9 3B / 32 HR / 92 RBI
2020 STEAMER: .296 AVG / .862 OPS / 34 2B / 8 3B / 23 HR / 83 RBI
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Ketel Marte emerged as a force during the 2019 MLB season. Now, he’s one of the most highly touted second basemen in the game. So much so that all of the major fantasy baseball sites have him in the top 5.
The Steamer system projects a dropoff for Marte in 2020, but not so much that it would impact his standing as a top tier second baseman. What’s more, he offers some flexibility in that he will most likely qualify as an outfielder in some H2H leagues. Draft him with confidence; he’ll have another solid season.
Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves
2019 MLB Season: .295 AVG / .852 OPS / 43 2B / 8 3B / 24 HR / 86 RBI
2020 STEAMER: .287 AVG / .835 OPS / 37 2B / 6 3B / 24 HR / 83 RBI
Ozzie Albies had his best MLB season in 2019 and is looking to continue to build upon that in 2020. Though the Steamer system is expecting a slight dropoff –surprise, surprise– I’m fully expecting Albies to maintain his level of performance, and perhaps even improve upon it.
At just 23 years of age, Albies has a long career ahead of him. Though the Braves lost the protection Josh Donaldson provided in that lineup, they still have Acuna Jr. (aka “Trout-Adjace”) and Freddie Freeman.
As someone who had Albies in 2019, if he’s still available when it’s time for me to draft a second baseman this season, he will most certainly be mine.
Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
2019 MLB Season: .298 AVG / .903 OPS / 27 2B / 3 3B / 31 HR / 74 RBI
2020 STEAMER: .296 AVG / .848 OPS / 34 2B / 4 3B / 24 HR / 92 RBI
It’s hard to argue against Jose Altuve as #1 pick for second basemen. Proceed with caution, however. Especially when you consider all of the revelations that came out against the Houston Astros this offseason.
Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if Altuve fell in many Fantasy Baseball drafts this season. Accusations of Altuve wearing a buzzer when he hit a walk-off home run against Aroldis Chapman in game 6 of the 2019 ALCS have left a sour taste in some people’s mouths.
Though those allegations haven’t been proven, the court of public opinion has ruled that Altuve was guilty of wrong-doing. Given that fantasy baseball is a sport for the fan, that will most certainly have an impact come draft day.
Next. Phillies: Bryce Harper is locked and loaded. dark
Take advantage of it; take him if you see him there.