This week I will be writing about second and third basemen. The position of second base as a whole is pretty weak offensively. While it has depth, it lacks a top tier. My strategy for drafting second basemen is to wait until the later rounds. The difference in talent from the top 3 second basemen and low top 10 is very slim, so it’s not worth chasing any second basemen in your draft. Third base, on the other hand, has evolved to become one of the top hitting positions. Third base is filled with power machines including Josh Donaldson, Nolan Arenado, and Manny Machado, who are all worth stealing in the early rounds.
Second Basemen
- Jose Altuve- Houston Astros
The 2014 batting title champion had a marvelous 2014 breakout season, leading the MLB in batting average and hits. In 2015, Altuve ranked inside the top 10 for second basemen in batting average, runs, home runs, RBI’s, and hits. Altuve is arguably the most consistent second basemen in the league. He also surprised us by revealing his power in 2015, cranking 15 home runs, which was more than his previous two seasons combined. At only 25 years old, Altuve is right smack in the middle of his prime.
- Robinson Cano- Seattle Mariners
It’s funny because even with Cano’s major fall in production ever since he left New York, his stats still show him as a legit top 5 second baseman. This just simply shows how the position of second base is offensively weak. In 2015, Cano ranked himself 7th in batting average, 7th in runs, 2nd in home runs, 1st in RBI’s, and 4th in hits among all second basemen. If these stats don’t represent a top 5 second baseman, then I don’t know what does.
- Dee Gordon- Miami Marlins
Dee Gordon’s first season in Miami resulted in great success. In 2015, Gordon ranked 1st in batting average, 3rd in runs, and 1st in hits among all second basemen. The 5 year veteran has incredible contact and speed skills, but lacks power. How has Gordon been able to excel as a top 5 positional player? All you have to do is look at his competition. But, in my opinion, Gordon isn’t a player to chase because in the end, he’s not that much more productive than the bottom top 10 second basemen.
- Ian Kinsler- Detroit Tigers
You can chase the young folks and take the chance of relying on a bust, or you can wait and take a veteran who produces consistent numbers season to season. I know which player I would rather have. Despite his age now at 33, Kinsler continues to demonstrate top 5 second basemen stats. Kinsler ranked 5th in batting average, 2nd in runs, 3rd in RBI’s, and 3rd in hits among second basemen.
- Brian Dozier- Minnesota Twins
Dozier is becoming one of the top power second basemen in the MLB, leading second basemen in home runs over the last two seasons. Despite, his .236 batting average, Dozier has been a well-rounded stud over the last 2 years, ranking 1st in runs, 1st in home runs, 2nd in RBI’s, and 9th in hits last year. Dozier should be treated as a top 5 second baseman because he has consistent power, which is rare for the second base position.
Devon Travis, Joe Panik, Dustin Pedroia, Jason Kipnis, and Ben Zobrist are my next 5 ranked second basemen in order.
Third Basemen
- Josh Donaldson- Toronto Blue Jays
Josh Donaldson was probably the best fantasy player in the MLB in 2015. Donaldson ranked 2nd in batting average, 1st in runs, 2nd in home runs, 2nd in RBI’s, and 1st in hits for all third basemen. After playing in Oakland for his first 3 years, Donaldson was traded to the Blue Jays in 2015, where he had an MVP-like season. Being in one of the top lineups in the league and hitting in the Rogers Centre or “power dome”, Donaldson should continue playing at an elite level.
- Nolan Arenado- Colorado Rockies
It’s going to be hard for Arenado to top his 2015 season, where he ranked 6th in batting average, 4th in runs, 1st in home runs, 1st in RBI’s, and 3rd in hits among third basemen. Arenado is clearly a freak athlete after hitting a splendid 42 home runs and 130 RBI’s, while still being able to maintain a .287 batting average. Still only 24 years old, this player has incredible potential moving forward.
- Manny Machado- Baltimore Orioles
To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of Manny Machado. In Machado’s first three seasons in Baltimore, he failed to live up to the hype. However, in 2015, Machado finally had a superlative breakout season, ranking 7th in batting average, 2nd in runs, T-3rd in home runs, T-5th in RBI’s, and 2nd in hits for all third basemen. His outstanding 2015 performance and extremely young age (23) has turned me into a believer in Machado.
- Kris Bryant- Chicago Cubs
It took no time for Bryant’s potential to be released. In his first season in the MLB last year, Bryant cranked an impressive 26 home runs and 99 runs. In 2015, the Cubs star third baseman ranked 9th in batting average, 5th in runs, T-6th in home runs, 3rd in RBI’s, and 12th in hits for all third basemen. In one of the youngest and top lineups in the league, this 23 year old is bound to continue improving.
- Adrian Beltre- Texas Rangers
Not many people would rank the 37 year old third baseman at number 5, but I would. Beltre has been a consistent animal in his amazing 18 year career. Despite having a bit of a downgraded 2015 season due injuries, Beltre was still able to rank 5th in batting average, 7th in runs, T-12th in home runs, 8th in RBI’s, and T-7th in hits among all third basemen. Adrian Beltre has only totaled 37 home runs in his last two years for one reason- failing to reach 600 at bats. If he is able to stay healthy, he’s an automatic top 5 third baseman in my eyes.
Todd Frazier, Kyle Seager, Matt Carpenter, Matt Duffy, and Mike Moustakas are my next 5 ranked third basemen in order.
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