The elite, all two of them, rule the roost, and after you debate the high potential upside youth in the likes of Jackson Holliday and Luke Keaschall, the focus at second base should be on adding to your team build in the stolen base category. There is plenty of speed from top-to-bottom with Brice Turang, Nico Hoerner, Xavier Edwards, Bryson Stott, Jose Caballero, and Hyeseong Kim, to mention just a few, all capable of leading the charge. Take what the position gives you and move forward.
1. Jazz Chisholm Jr., NYY – Chisholm enjoyed his second highest career total in plate appearances (531) and responded with a 31 homer, 31 stolen base campaign. He was one of only seven players to go 30/30 in 2025. It doesn’t get much better than that but if Chisholm could ever find his way to get in 600 at-bats it can’t be ruled out. 3B-29
2. Ketel Marte, ARZ – If you’re searching for power in the middle-infield, Ketel Marte is your guy. The proof is in the pudding with Marte having slugged 89 homers over the past three seasons. He is also one of only two 2B eligible players with 400+ at-bats to have an OPS over .800. Marte won’t come cheap but could prove to be worth every penny of that early Third Round investment.
3. Brice Turang, MIL – The power was up, the speed was down, with the BA and OPS both rising as he closed in on 100 runs scored. All-in-all we can label 2025 a success. A 20-20 season could be lurking right around the corner.
4. Nico Hoerner, CHC – Over the past three seasons, Nico Hoerner has amassed 43, 31, and 29 stolen bases. What might be lacking in power is more than made up from the consistently solid runs scored, stolen bases, and BA.
5. Jackson Holliday, BAL – In his first full season, Holliday fell 3 homers and stolen bases shy of his first 20/20 season. He won’t fall short in either category next year.
6. Jose Altuve, HOU – Like a fine wine, Altuve is aging gracefully and heading into his age-36 season a 25 HR, 70 RBI season with 10-15 stolen bases is within reach. OF-47
7. Luke Keaschall, MIN –The great hit tool combined with 85 grade speed leaves me anticipating big things from Luke Keaschall heading into 2026. I envision many a Nico Hoerner type level of production in his future and that future commences now.
8. Ozzie Albies, ATL – He’s still a steady performer, just not 2023 steady. It’s time to lower the bar.
9. Brandon Lowe, PIT – After three injury riddled seasons Lowe finally stayed healthy (besting the 500 at-bat mark) and with it came his second 30+ home run campaign. If he can stay on the field the Pirates are looking at their 2026 home run leader.
10. Bryson Stott, PHI – Low-teen power combined with 25-to-30 stolen bases is a solid floor to build around.
11. Ceddanne Rafaela, BOS – The walk rate rose, the K rate dropped and Rafaela finished 2025 four homers shy of a 20-20 season. There might be a consistent everyday player hiding in there after all. OF-141
12. Otto Lopez, MIA – Filling your MI slot with an undervalued 15/20 type player in the mid-teen rounds has the potential to return solid dividends. The roster flexibility is a bonus. SS-111
13. Xavier Edwards, MIA – The 31 thefts in 265 at-bats in 2024 allowed us to dream big for the 2025 season, but alas injuries dealt him a cruel fate, as the stolen base total dropped to only 27 in 561 at-bats last year. A fully healthy Edwards should be able to steal 30+ bases in his sleep. SS-41
14. Gleyber Torres, DET – Over the past four seasons Torres has produced one .256 and two .257 BA. The home runs have hovered between 15 and 24. The RBI total has been between 63 and 76. A perfectly safe and verging on boring pick that will bring everything except speed to the table.
15. Jose Caballero, NYY – Jose Caballero has stolen 93 bases over the past two seasons. Pencil in a safe floor of 40 thefts with potentially more as Anthony Volpe (coming off shoulder surgery), is currently not looking at getting back on the field until at the earliest the end of April. SS-43, 3B-37, OF-46
16. Luis Garcia Jr., WAS – Luis Garcia has produced mid-teen power and speed in his first two very consistent seasons in Washington. Heading into his age-26 season is Luis Garcia best work still to come?
17. Jorge Polanco, NYM – Getting out of Seattle and spending the next two-years as a Met is the best thing that could have happened to Polanco. All he needs now is to stay off the IL, something he hasn’t managed to accomplish enough in his career.
18. Matt McLain, CIN – The strikeouts soared and the BA collapsed while the counting stats held. The problem being there were 145 more at-bats in play last year. The potential is still there for growth but the risk associated with that high strikeout rate can’t be ignored.
19. Marcus Semien, NYM –The inevitable decline has commenced and betting on a return to form in one’s age-36 season is a bet that seems very much like a longshot.
20. Brett Baty, NYM – If Baty can build on the 18 homer, 8 SB production in 393 at-bats he enjoyed last season, his current mid-teen draft slot could prove to be a bargain. 3B-87
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