2016 Second Baseman Rankings
Time for some All-Star break fun: here are my very, very preliminary 2016 player rankings. I’ve done my best to list players where they’ll be eligible next year, and the free agents-to-be are listed without teams. Players with options for next year are still listed with their current teams if those options are likely to be exercised.
Along with the position rankings is a top 300 list for 2016. Click to see other preliminary 2016 rankings:
Top 300 | SP | RP | OF | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | C | DH
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2016 Second Baseman Rankings
2016 | Second Base | Team | 2015 | July |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jose Altuve | Astros | 1 | 1 |
2 | Anthony Rendon | Nationals | 4 | 7 |
3 | Dee Gordon | Marlins | 3 | 4 |
4 | Jason Kipnis | Indians | 6 | 2 |
5 | Robinson Cano | Mariners | 2 | 3 |
6 | Kolten Wong | Cardinals | 5 | 5 |
7 | Brian Dozier | Twins | 9 | 6 |
8 | Dustin Pedroia | Red Sox | 7 | 10 |
9 | Devon Travis | Blue Jays | 28 | 11 |
10 | Rougned Odor | Rangers | 11 | 13 |
11 | Ian Kinsler | Tigers | 10 | 9 |
12 | Howie Kendrick | 8 | 8 | |
13 | Ben Zobrist | 7 SS | 8 SS | |
14 | Addison Russell | Cubs | 50 SS | 20 SS |
15 | Joe Panik | Giants | 23 | 18 |
16 | Brandon Phillips | Reds | 14 | 12 |
17 | Josh Harrison | Pirates | 16 3B | 15 |
18 | Jonathan Schoop | Orioles | 21 | 34 |
19 | Neil Walker | Pirates | 13 | 17 |
20 | Daniel Murphy | 15 | 19 | |
21 | Logan Forsythe | Rays | 30 | 16 |
22 | Jace Peterson | Braves | 35 | 22 |
23 | D.J. LeMahieu | Rockies | 25 | 21 |
24 | Chase Utley | 16 | 27 | |
25 | Arismendy Alcantara | Cubs | 12 | 37 |
26 | Scooter Gennett | Brewers | 19 | 26 |
27 | Jedd Gyorko | Padres | 20 | 36 |
28 | Cesar Hernandez | Phillies | 46 3B | 45 |
29 | Micah Johnson | White Sox | 26 | 44 |
30 | Brock Holt | Red Sox | 34 3B | 17 SS |
31 | Chris Owings | Diamondbacks | 21 SS | 34 SS |
32 | Danny Espinosa | Nationals | 46 | 30 |
33 | Jurickson Profar | Rangers | NR | NR |
34 | Steve Pearce | 29 1B | 24 | |
35 | Jose Peraza | Braves | 43 | NR |
36 | Aaron Hill | Diamondbacks | 27 | 35 |
37 | Dilson Herrera | Mets | 53 | NR |
38 | Ryan Flaherty | Orioles | 38 SS | 35 SS |
39 | Cory Spangenberg | Padres | 61 3B | 40 |
40 | Nick Franklin | Rays | 31 | NR |
41 | Robert Refsnyder | Yankees | 48 | NR |
42 | Gordon Beckham | 42 | 39 | |
43 | Johnny Giavotella | Angels | 40 | 29 |
44 | Tommy La Stella | Cubs | 37 | NR |
45 | Yangervis Solarte | Padres | 50 | 41 |
46 | Ryan Brett | Rays | 74 | NR |
47 | Omar Infante | Royals | 36 | 38 |
48 | Emilio Bonifacio | 32 | 42 | |
49 | Tony Kemp | Astros | 83 | NR |
50 | Eric Sogard | Athletics | 54 | 48 |
51 | Chad Pinder | Athletics | 89 | NR |
52 | Carlos Sanchez | White Sox | 57 | 43 |
53 | Darnell Sweeney | Dodgers | 92 | NR |
54 | Hernan Perez | Brewers | 65 | NR |
55 | Alen Hanson | Pirates | 71 SS | NR |
Second Basemen
o Second base is looking stronger than usual, and it could get a little better if Hector Olivera qualifies (he would have been ranked 11th, but I decided to place him at third base).
o I rearranged the 2-through-6 guys a few times; I just don’t see much of a gap there. Obviously, Rendon’s placement hinges on him getting healthy and putting together a strong second half, but if that happens, I think I’d take my chances with him over Gordon and Kipnis. Really, all six of these guys could deserve to go in the second and third rounds of mixed-league drafts next year, an unusual abundance for the position. Some will champion Dozier going that early, too, but I don’t think he’s quite that trustworthy.
o Peraza rates the highest of the prospects, even though he’s been something of a disappointment this year (.280/.306/.359 as a 21-year-old in Triple-A). What helps his case a bunch, besides the steal ability, is that he could also be a candidate to take over in center field for the Braves if Peterson sticks at second. I’m not sold on Refsnyder as a regular, largely because of his defense, but he’d have top-20 upside if he convinces the Yankees he’s a starter. Brett is ranked 46th more because of the opportunity available in Tampa Bay than his modest talent. Kemp is intriguing, but he’s probably going to need a trade out of Houston. Sweeney has quietly hit .296/.352/.462 with 26 steals while playing second, center and left for Triple-A Oklahoma City. If he gets traded in one of the Dodgers’ deals this month, he could become quite the sleeper next year.
