2018 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Second Base
Jose Altuve is now the undisputed, top-ranked second baseman in all of fantasy baseball. Now if he would just STOP SPITTING EVERYWHERE. Christ, man!
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We don't need to tell you much about Jose Altuve. He's short, he's fast, he still manages to hit for power and average, and he's sitting in the middle of a great lineup. While we find it absolutely disgusting that he can not stop spitting everywhere - and we find him unwatchable any time there's a close-up of him, we sure love having him on a fantasy baseball roster. Altuve fills up every box in the box score every week and he hasn't disappointed anyone who has ever drafted him. But, again, you already know all that. You'll need to draft Altuve in the first round of your draft if you want him on your team, so be prepared for that.
Next on the list is usually Brian Dozier, but he got beaten out by Jose Ramirez last season. Still, though, feel free to draft whichever guy you like the best out of those two. Check out their numbers to see their uncanny similarities:
The same number of games played; nearly identical runs; nearly identical stolen bases... the main differences for you to consider on draft day are really your choice to make. For instance, Dozier has more power, so if that's your preference, then go for that. On the other hand, Ramirez has a significantly-better batting average and he hits in a more-potent lineup which gives him a better chance to improve in stats like runs scored and RBI. Ramirez also strikes out a lot less than Dozier, which means more balls are put in play.
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Last season, Jose Ramirez had 20 more base hits than Brian Dozier, but Dozier still had just about as many runs scored and 5 more home runs and 10 more RBI. So despite Ramirez having a better average, more hits, and half the strikeouts as Dozier, Brian Dozier still outperformed Ramirez in 2 of the main, 5x5 fantasy categories and virtually tied him in 2 more.
Again, flip a coin on Dozier and Ramirez on draft day and don't look back, but we ranked Ramirez just ahead of him based on the potential to do more with so many more balls put in play.
Again, flip a coin on Dozier and Ramirez on draft day and don't look back, but we ranked Ramirez just ahead of him based on the potential to do more with so many more balls put in play.
Top 50 Second Baseman for 2018
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A Lot Of Variables in Fantasy 2b RankingsChris Taylor, to state the obvious, was not on anyone's draft day list last season. If you try to tell anyone, "I knew he would be good!" you're full of shit, so don't even try it, dude. This year, though, there's no reason to think Chris Taylor won't repeat his output from last season. Draft Taylor with confidence and get what you got last year.
Yes, Whit Merrifield is LegitHitting .288 with 80 Runs, 19 HR, 78 RBI and 34 Stolen Bases is no fluke. One category out of all those would be, but all of those combined means Whit Merrifield is for real. In fact - and this is where the "Variables" from above come into play - the only reason we left Merrifield behind Chris Taylor in our rankings is because the Dodgers' offense is left intact and strong while the Royals' offense is being dismantled. Merrifield may still put up near the same numbers as last year, but there's more of a chance of a decline with no protection in the lineup and no one there to drive him in. Still, take Merrifield and expect .270 or better with 20 HR, 30+ steals and anywhere from 75-95 Runs scored.
Eduardo Nunez had a below-the-radar good year last season, until he hit the spotlight in Boston. Now, everyone knows about him so you may not be able to sneak him in the middle rounds of your fantasy draft like last year. Nunez is in a great lineup as well as a great hitter's park. If it all comes together for Nunez in 2018, you could see his fantasy stats soar to 25 HR, 40+ Stolen Bases and even 90-100 Runs. We're not banking on him hitting .300, but we're not betting against it, either. Daniel Murphy is as Consistent as They GetNot just in terms of second basemen, but in terms of fantasy players, period: Daniel Murphy is solid. You can count on 90 runs, 20-25 home runs, 90 RBI and a .300+ batting average. The only thing that keeps him from a top-3 spot is the fact that he doesn't steal bases. As he gets older, that ain't gonna get any better, and second base is a position where you may have to get your stolen bases from.
Is Marwin Gonzalez Really All That Good?We want to say, "Yes," but there's something about a guy who hits .303 and drives in 90 RBI but only scores 67 runs. If he was in a crappy lineup and he was the cleanup hitter, we'd give him more of a pass... but dude's in the middle of one of the best lineups in baseball, if not the best. Still, if you get your runs somewhere else, Marwin Gonzalez will help you significantly in the other main categories. Also remember, he was a 29-year-old rookie last season, so a sophomore slump is not as likely as a young buck who shows up at the age of 22 and rakes then wonders himself if it's a fluke. Gonzalez is a solid pick.
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