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We’ve gone looking for the best second baseman in 2022.
While some of the names you’ll find here are usual suspects, others cracked the top 10 after a breakout campaign in 2021. Now, they’ll have to prove they can maintain that status.
Best second baseman 2022
In one of the most important positions in the game, you need to be a top-tier hitter or an outstanding defender to be an everyday second baseman in Major League Baseball. Here, we honor the top 10 best players in that position entering the 2022 season.
10. Jake Cronenworth
Often overlooked by the San Diego Padres’ star-studded lineup, Jake Cronenworth is one of the most versatile and productive infielders in the game. He’s coming off slashing .266/.340/.460 with 21 home runs, 71 RBIs, 55 walks, and his 6.5 WAR ranks third among second basemen since 2020.
He was a bit of a late bloomer but has become a vital part of the Padres’ World Series aspirations.
9. DJ LeMahieu
While DJ LeMahieu failed to replicate his production from 2019 and 2020 in 2021, he’s still one of the best second basemen right now.
He struggled with a sports hernia for most of last season which led his slugging to .362 after posting back-to-back years with 500+. Even so, LeMahieu continues to be one of the best contact-hitters in the league and has a knack for getting on base one way or the other. Hopefully, he’ll bounce back from his .268/.349/.362 season in 2021.
8. Jonathan India
If you’re looking for a versatile second baseman who can contribute in multiple aspects (barring, perhaps, RBIs) then you must take a look at Jonathan India.
The reigning NL Rookie of the Year was a Swiss knife offensively, getting walks at a high rate and showing great discipline at the plate.
India slashed .269/.376/.459 with 21 home runs, 69 RBIs, 71 walks, and a 113 OPS+. While he wasn’t spectacular as a defender, he finished the season on quite the high note and is expected to be one of the few bright spots for the 2022 Cincinnati Reds.
7. Jorge Polanco
Jorge Polanco and the Minnesota Twins finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel by switching him to second baseman.
He was one of the worst defensive shortstops in the league and was difficult to play at times, even despite his outstanding offensive production. He finished the season with 21 homers, a 144 wRC+, and his .298 ISO in the final 70 games.
Throughout the season, he slashed 269/.323/.503 with 33 home runs, 98 RBIs, 45 walks, 11 steals, and had a positive DRS for the first time in his career with three defensive runs saved.
6. Whit Merrifield
If we were to talk about durability, then Whit Merrifield should be considered the best second baseman 2022. He has yet to miss a game for the Kansas City Royals since 2019, being a bit of the Jack of all trades for them.
He led the league in both stolen bases (40), doubles (42), and sacrifice flies last year. While not known for his power or the flashiest player in this list, he’s sound at making contact and one of the best defenders and base-runners in the Majors.
5. Ozzie Albies
Ozzie Albies is coming off a historical year and he’s only getting started. Slashing .259/.310/.488, he became the youngest second baseman in league history to record 30+ homers and 100+ RBIs in a single season.
The Curaçao native is a force of nature in terms of offensive production, even if he’s average at best when it comes to defense. But as we’ve seen with some other players on this list, that can only improve with time. He’s got a remarkable résumé before turning 25 and will be the biggest bargain in the Atlanta Braves’ payroll for years to come.
4. Ketel Marte
The only real issues with Ketel Marte are durability and the fact that he plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Other than that, he’s a nearly-perfect second baseman, even despite the D-Backs’ unexplainable desire to move him to center field.
He posted a 139 wRC+ with a .377 OBP and .385 wOBA when he was healthy to play, which would rank him second among all second basemen in 2021 if he had enough plate appearances. He slashed .318/.377/.532 with 50 RBIs, 31 free passes, and 14 dingers in 2021. Hopefully, he’ll stay healthy and one team will snatch him away from the desert.
3. Brandon Lowe
While some analysts have always thought that Brandon Lowe should be better suited for another position, his offensive numbers make him virtually impossible to move. The Tampa Bay Rays will sure live with his -7 defensive runs saved and -4 outs above average as long as he continues to put those insane hitting numbers.
He ranks first in wRC+ among second basemen since 2020 (141) and no player in his position has hit more home runs (53), has a higher slugging percentage (.532), or more RBIs (136) ever since either.
Read more: MLB position rankings in 2022
2. Jose Altuve
Jose Altuve‘s reputation took a big hit following the trash-can controversy, although he and his teammates continue to state that he wanted no part of that.
Whether that’s true or not, it’s clear that the Venezuelan star didn’t need much help to guess pitches, anyway.
He slashed 278/.350/.489 with 31 home runs, 83 RBIs, 66 walks, a .839 OPS, and 127 OPS+ to bounce back from that shortened campaign, proving again to be one of the toughest guys at the plate. He never strikes out and is one of the finest base-runners in the game.
1. Marcus Semien
Following an outstanding campaign with the Blue Jays, Marcus Semien signed quite the lucrative deal with the Texas Rangers. He made history by setting a record with 45 home runs, most by a primary second baseman ever.
Moreover, he was 15 of 16 in stolen base attempts and slashed .265/.334/.538 with 102 RBIs, 66 walks, a .873 OPS, and a 133 OPS+. Add 11 defensive runs saved, seven outs above average, and a 6.6 fWAR to that mix, and the fact that he’s only missed 10 games over the past 4 seasons and you have the best second baseman 2022.
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