The elite options at Second Base are coveted, but few and far between. When looking at the middle and bottom-tiers there is still an opportunity and most importantly position flexibility. Using that position flexibility wisely is something that should be on our agenda when looking at our roster construction plans for 2022.

1. Trea Turner, LAD – Turner is the consummate five-category package. The 20-40 potential is fueling his lofty status as a Top-3 overall pick, as it rightfully should. SS-98
2. Ozzie Albies, ATL – There were only five players in all of baseball that hit 30 homers and stole 20 bases in 2021. Ozzie Albies was one of those five. 2021 was his first season hitting that strong benchmark, but the odds are very good it won’t be his last.
3. Whit Merrifield, KCR – The potential for growth is limited, but who really cares when you have a floor that is as comfortably safe as the one that Whit Merrifield brings to the table. OF-20 
4. Marcus Semien, TEX – 2021 was an amazing season for the 31-year-old Semien. The question is, can he duplicate those outstanding numbers on a team that isn’t quite the same offensive force as the Jays? Probably not, but a repeat of that solid 2019 campaign will still provide great value in your 2022 middle-infield plans. SS-21
5. Javier Baez, DET – Baez takes the term “free swinger” to the highest level and despite his tendency to swing at everything within a city block of home plate, that double-digit power and speed makes for an attractive option. The Tigers will enjoy and benefit from that 25-15 level of production as their competitive window begins to open. SS-100
6. Jose Altuve, HOU – The days of double-digit stolen bases are clearly behind him, but as a four-category offensive threat there are very few better at the “keystone corner”. The “little man” continues to come up big.   
7. Jorge Polanco, MIN – The growth that we witnessed in 2019 was taken to a new and higher-level last year, as he slugged 33 homers, drove in 98 runs, and stole 11 bases. Is a repeat in the cards for 2022? SS-39 
8. Jazz Chisholm, MIA – The sky-high potential we witnessed from Chisholm early-on in the 2021 season faded as the season wore on, but that power/speed potential can’t be denied. There’s a 20-20 season in his future, maybe a few. Will 2022 be the year? SS-37
9. Brandon Lowe, TBR – We finally had the opportunity to see what Lowe could do in a full-season and it was very impressive. He built off a strong 2020 campaign and broke out to the tune of 39 homers and 99 RBI. He still strikes out a bit too much, but also found his way into taking 68 walks last year, a positive sign.
10. Tommy Edman, STL – Edman tied for fourth in all of baseball last year with 30 stolen bases. He added a further 11 homers in addition to scoring 91 runs, batting mainly at the top-of-the order. Let’s just hope he stays there. OF-41
11. Jonathan India, CIN – The struggles of April and early-May were quickly forgotten as Spring turned into summer and India broke out of his early season doldrums. Fantasy Managers were handsomely rewarded for their patience. The 2021 NL ROY is poised to take the “next step” in 2022.     
12. Ketel Marte, ARZ – Marte missed significant time last year, dealing with a strained left hamstring, and still found time to drive 14 balls into the stands. That 25-90 potential should have our attention. OF-71
13. Jake Cronenworth, SDP – He qualifies at First Base, but in our game most Managers will be slotting him into either Second Base or the MI. After a solid 2021 season, is there more in the tank heading into 2022? 1B-24, SS-41
14. Luis Urias, MIL – 23 homers and 75 RBI with five thefts is one heckuva breakout campaign by the 24-year-old Urias. Who saw this level of production occurring? I think we can rule out the Padres. Toss in the multiple-position eligibility and his stock is assuredly on the rise. 3B-68, SS-68
15. Chris Taylor, LAD – Taylor reupped on a four-year $60 million dollar deal with the Dodgers. The roster flexibility combined with the double-digit power and speed makes for a solid if unspectacular investment. SS-23, OF-89
16. Eduardo Escobar, NYM – The odds are long that the amazing 2019 season (35 HR-118 RBI) will be repeated, but the 28-90 season compiled last year is nothing to sneeze at. It was good enough to generate interest from the Mets, as Escobar will now call Citi Field and a much better offense his home for the next two years. 3B-99
17. DJ LeMahieu, NYY – LeMahieu underwent core muscle surgery this off-season (which helps explain the poor 2021 campaign) and should be ready to roll for Spring Training. That stellar 2019 season is looking more and more like an outlier. 1B-83, 3B-39
18. Brendan Rodgers, COL – The third overall pick in the 2015 draft seems to be turning a corner. 15 home runs to go along with 51 RBI in only 387 at-bats is a good indicator that better and much more productive days are in his future. SS-26  
19. Jonathan Schoop, DET – The signing of Javier Baez, soon-to-be arriving Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene, and the emergence of Akil Baddoo will do nothing but help Schoop’s cause. You can put 20 homers and 80 RBI (quite possibly more) in the bank. 1B-114 
20. Ryan McMahon, COL – A perfectly boring 20 HR, 80 RBI, .250 BA type bat…..as long as he continues to play half his games at Coors Field. 3B-113
21. Max Muncy, LAD – Max Muncy’s dislocated elbow has apparently, as of the end of November, morphed into a torn UCL and is not healing as quick as Muncy would like. This is not the news that we either anticipated or wanted to hear. In the absence of updates, one would be advised to take a very cautious approach heading into 2022. 1B-122
22. Jean Segura, PHI – Segura has failed to break the 500 at-bat mark in only two seasons, his rookie campaign back in 2012 and the Covid-19 shortened 2020. He’s on the downside of a very good career, but as a MI in deeper Leagues will provide solid value in the mid-teen rounds.  
23. Ty France, SEA – The on-going struggles of Evan White has created an opportunity at First Base in Seattle. Last year, France hit 18 homers in 571 at-bats. That’s a solid number for a middle-infielder. Enjoy it as it will likely be his last year with 2B eligibility. 1B-106
24. Enrique Hernandez, BOS – 20 home runs with 90+ runs scored potential from a leadoff bat in a very good offense in Beantown makes for a rather boring but wise choice, especially when available at a 220 ADP. OF-93
25. Kolten Wong, MIL – There are no doubts that the overall skill set is very solid, but one must always remember that the last time Wong broke the 500 at-bat mark was in 2015. Betting on Kolten Wong getting in more than 500 at-bats is akin to Rob Manfred receiving a Christmas card from the Players Association.
26. Andres Gimenez, CLE – He has everything the Guardians are looking for in a player. He’s young with significant upside potential, and under team control until the 2025 season. The 54/11 K/BB ratio is a pretty good indicator that there is still work to be done, but that speed/power combination is oh so enticing. SS-42
27. Abraham Toro, SEA – The retirement of Kyle Seager opens an everyday role for the former Astro, and as a late-round sleeper he’s enticing. There could very well be a 20-10 type breakout season in his immediate future. 3B-32
28. Josh Rojas, ARZ – Rojas stole 38 bases down on the farm in 2018. He added a further 33 Minor League thefts in 2019. In 2021, Rojas stole nine bases in his first full season in Arizona. One of these three years is not like the others. The breakout potential is there, as is the sizeable risk that it won’t come to fruition. SS-42, OF-52
29. Cesar Hernandez, WAS – Cesar Hernandez won’t have any problems finding playing time at the top-of-the-order for the retooling Nationals. 15-20 home runs and 80+ runs scored makes for a fine late-round option.
30. Garrett Hampson, COL – Looking for speed after the 15’th Round? Garrett Hampson, with his current 276 ADP, could be your guy. 20 thefts are there for the taking. OF-91 
31. Adam Frazier, SEA
32. David Fletcher, LAA – SS-20
33. Nick Madrigal, CHC
34. Nick Solak, TEX
35. Wilmer Flores, SFG – 1B-34, 3B-58
36. Tony Kemp, OAK – OF-49
37. Nico Hoerner, CHC
38. Edmundo Sosa, STL – SS-71
39. Robinson Cano, NYM
40. Rougned Odor, BAL – 3B-33
41. Gavin Lux, LAD – SS-59
42. Luis Arraez, MIN – 3B-55, OF-27
43. Tommy La Stella, SFG
44. Ramon Urias, BAL – SS-48
45. Jeff McNeil, NYM OF-28
46. Vidal Brujan, TBR 
47. Dylan Moore, SEA – OF-57
48. Ha-Seong Kim, SDP – SS-35, 3B-23
49. Michael Chavis, PIT
50. Leury Garcia, CWS – OF-65
51. Nolan Gorman, STL
52. Willi Castro, DET – SS-20
53. Luis Garcia, WAS x
54. Jace Peterson, MIL – 1B-26, OF-27 
55. Josh Harrison, FA – 3B-23, OF-22
56. Harold Castro, DET – SS-43
57. Michael Brosseau, MIL – 3B-23
58. Josh VanMater, ARZ – 3B-25
59. Nick Maton, PHI – SS-20
60. Matt Duffy, FA – 3B-56
61. Hanser Alberto, KCR – 3B-49
62. Zach McKinstry, LAD – OF-36 
63. Jonathon Berti, MIA – 3B-46
64. Isan Diaz, MIA – 3B-37 
65. Mauricio Dubon, SFG – SS-21, OF-27 
66. Sergio Alcantara, CHC – SS-55 
67. Danny Mendick, CWS – SS-28 
68. Michael Busch, LAD
69. Jed Lowrie, FA
70. Jahmai Jones, BAL
71. Owen Miller, CLE
72. Hoy-Jung Park, PIT
73. David Bote, CHC – 3B-24
74. Donovan Solano, FA
75. Michael Stefanic, LAA
76. Dee Strange-Gordon, WAS
77. Christian Arroyo, BOS
78. Andy Ibanez, TEX
79. Wilmer Difo, FA
80. Shed Long, FA
81. Starlin Castro, FA