Top Five at Every Position Right Now: Second Base

Photo Courtesy of Call to the Pen 

By: Chris Larson 

Moving onto the next installment of the "Top Five at Every Position Right Now", today's focus shifts to second base. Second base has become a position in which many teams now view it as a versatile position where the player who occupies second might also play another position such as centerfield or have the ability to play both second and third base. It's an intriguing trend that has entered the game and really revolutionized the process of lineup construction for some teams around the league.

As a result, the idea of an everyday second baseman is becoming less and less of a possibility. To illustrate that, consider the fact that only * three * second baseman around baseball last season, recorded 700 or more plate appearances at that position alone. Those three individuals were: Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves, Jonathan Villar of the Baltimore Orioles, and Whit Merrifield of the Kansas City Royals. If you reduce the number down to at least 500 plate appearances, you get a bit of a larger sample size so that's what this portion of the series criteria will be for the offensive statistics.

Over the last ten years, there have certainly been a handful of second baseman that have built up a successful track record in baseball and left their impact in a significant type of way. Those include the likes of Robinson Cano of the Seattle Mariners and now the New York Mets, Chase Utley the Philadelphia Phillies icon, Ian Kinsler, Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, Brandon Phillips, and Ben Zobrist who had a critical role in helping the Chicago Cubs to win the 2016 World Series. Quite an immense amount of talent among those six individuals during their prime years.

With that being said, here at the top five second baseman around baseball right now based on the different metrics and valuations that all thirty front offices use in their decision-making process.

* Statistics present under each player's name are for the 2019 regular season. *

Photo Courtesy of The Houston Chronicle

1. Jose Altuve (Houston Astros) 

• Defensive Runs Saved: -2 (T-8th Among Second Baseman with 700 Innings Played) 
• Ultimate Zone Rating: -6.4 (18th) 
• Defensive Rating: -4.6 (17th) 
• Offensive Rating: 21.8 (4th Among Second Baseman with 500 PA) 
• Wins Above Replacement: 3.5 (8th) 

Over the past few seasons, it's hard to deny the fact that Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros has been the best second baseman in the game of baseball. Last season, Altuve wasn't nearly as dominate as he dealt with a left hamstring strain compared to the numbers he put up in 2017 and 2018, but his offensive production was still signifiant enough that it greatly impacted the success of the Astros. Whether or not that was part of the cheating scandal going on is unknown, but you still have to respect the talent that Altuve is and the type of gritty player he is on the field. Furthermore, Altuve is a great clubhouse guy who can start a rally during a late-inning where the Astros might be behind in the score and is someone that team can lean on during a losing-streak as well. The other thing is his overall track record as Altuve continues to be an impactful player year in and year out.

If there was a choice to be made between offensive and defense, Altuve would definitely rank much higher in the offensive category as illustrated by the metrics outlined above. However, some of those defensive struggles last season could have been due in part to the hamstring strain and if Altuve is able to put together an entire 2020 campaign, those metrics may very well improve. The injury definitely wasn't felt for Altuve when it came to his Hard Hit Rate last season. According to data compiled by FanGraphs, Altuve had a Hard Hit Percentage of 40.8% which was up quite a bit from 2018 when he had a Hard Hit Percentage of 33.3%. Furthermore, Altuve became much more of a pull hitter in 2019 compared to 2018 (50.0% compared to 41.4%). The baseball has to be taken into consideration for both of those categories especially last year, but that's a significant development for someone like Altuve who will be heading into his age 30 season.

Photo Courtesy of USA Today

2. Ozzie Albies (Atlanta Braves) 

• Defensive Runs Saved: 8 (3rd Among Second Baseman with 700 Innings Played) 
• Ultimate Zone Rating: 2.2 (T-5th) 
• Defensive Rating: 4.6 (5th) 
• Offensive Rating: 20.1 (5th Among Second Baseman with 500 PA) 
• Wins Above Replacement: 4.6 (4th) 

When you look at the Atlanta Braves, Ozzie Albies is a critical component of the teams roster. Albies is a very energized player who always finds a way to come through in the big moments and can really play on an elite level on both sides of the baseball. Every team around baseball would love to have Albies on their team especially considering that he just turned 23 years of age last month. That means that while he might be second on this list, he still has yet to reach his peak seasons so there could be even more development that happens which could turn him into an even more elite player. It would not be surprising to see Albies eventually peak and turn into a player that has a WAR value between 6-8 wins. For comparison's sake, Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels had an 8.6 WAR last season. Therefore, if Ozzie Albies was to put up a WAR of that value and contribute 6-8 or potentially even 9 wins to the Atlanta Braves record, it would put him in the same territory as Trout. Granted, that's a high expectation for the young Albies, but he certainly has that type of potential.

One significant development in Albies game last season relates to his plate discipline and ability to draw walks. Last season, Albies had a walk rate of 7.7% compared to 5.3% from the 2018 regular season. That still doesn't rank near the top of the list among qualified (those with at least 500 plate appearances) second baseman, but again Albies could eventually get to that level with more experience at the big league level and as he begins to see more big league pitching over time. In addition, Albies rated extremely well in the Weighted Runs Above Average (wRAA) category last season in which he had a value of 20.6. Among the other second baseman around baseball, using the criteria from above, that would put Albies fifth on the list. Going into this season, Albies is primed to have another significant season for the Atlanta Braves and it would not be a surprise to see him become the best second baseman in all of baseball, as soon as this coming season, assuming he stays healthy and on the field.

Photo Courtesy of Arizona Central 

3. Ketel Marte (Arizona Diamondbacks) 

* Split time between second base, shortstop, and centerfield in 2019. * 

• Defensive Runs Saved: -1 (11th Among Second Baseman with 450 Innings Played) 
• Ultimate Zone Rating: -1.3 (21st) 
• Defensive Rating: -0.5 (22nd) 
• Offensive Rating: 46.0 (1st Among Second Baseman with 500 PA) 
• Wins Above Replacement: 7.1 (1st) 

Ketel Marte had an exponentially impactful season with the Arizona Diamondbacks last year. Marte was acquired by the Dbacks prior to the 2017 regular season and started to really show that he was coming into his peak years last season. Last year alone, Marte earned his first All-Star nod and finished fourth in the National League Most Valuable Player voting process. Furthermore, when you add the idea that Marte is a versatile player and someone that can play at second base, shortstop, or centerfield, it further adds to why Marte deserves to be ranked right here. Heading into this season, Marte will occupy second base on a full-time basis with the addition of centerfielder, Starling Marte which was exactly what the Arizona Diamondbacks wanted heading into this offseason. Arizona feels as though it's best defensive alignment is with Marte at second base coupled with Nick Ahmed at shortstop and Eduardo Escobar over at third. That's the exact type of defensive alignment that the Dbacks will employ this year. 

From a power standpoint, Ketel Marte was much better last season compared to in the past. Through the span of 628 plate appearances, Marte slugged: .329/.389/.592 with a position leading .405 Weighted On-Base Average (wOBA) and a Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) value of 150, which also led second baseman using the criteria from above. In addition, Marte did a much better job of inducing flyball contact as opposed to groundball contact last season. Marte had a flyball percentage of 34.8% last year compared to 29.0% in 2018. This coming season, Marte will enter his age 26 season and assuming he is able to stay healthy the full season, he could become even more impactful at the plate and put up a similar WAR value to last season. In fact, Marte could end up posting a WAR between 8-9 wins which would be significant and put him on the same list as the aforementioned, Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves, as the two second baseman to watch moving forward. 

Photo Courtesy of The Denver Post

4. D.J. LeMahieu (New York Yankees) 

* Split time between first, second, and third base in 2019. * 

• Defensive Runs Saved: 5 (T-6th Among Second Baseman with 550 Innings Played) 
• Ultimate Zone Rating: 4.0 (T-3rd) 
• Defensive Rating: 4.9 (T-5th) 
• Offensive Rating: 29.2 (3rd Among Second Baseman with 500 PA) 
• Wins Above Replacement: 5.4 (2nd) 

When the New York Yankees signed DJ LeMahieu as a free agent prior to the start of last season, they likely didn't anticipate that he would have the type of season he did. LeMahieu was always a great offensive second baseman with the Colorado Rockies, but a lot of people wrote off what he did there because of the elusive, "Coors Field Effect." However, as LeMahieu showed last season with the Yankees, his tenure in Colorado and the numbers he put up there was no fluke. LeMahieu was a natural fit for the Yankees in Yankee Stadium and that ballpark favored him really well. What will be interesting to see is if that offensive production was due to the dynamics of the baseball from last season or if he is able to continue upon that success this coming season. Either way, the Yankees have the luxury of not necessarily needing LeMahieu to perform like an everyday position player because of the depth that they have around the diamond when everyone is healthy. Although, as things stand right now, LeMahieu will be the Opening Day second baseman for the team. 

Of all of the second baseman around baseball with at least 500 plate appearances last season, LeMahieu ranked second in Opposite Field Hit Percentage. LeMahieu put up a 33.7% value in that category which put him behind only former Chicago White Sox second baseman, Yolmer Sanchez. Furthermore, when LeMahieu did make contact with the baseball, he rated above league average in the Batting Average on Balls In Play (BABIP) category. LeMahieu ranked second in that category among second baseman behind Whit Merrifield of the Kansas City Royals. Heading into this coming season, LeMahieu will enter his final season of his current contract with the New York Yankees. At age 32, LeMahieu likely has some impactful years remaining in the tank so there is a chance that the Yankees might award him with an extension, if he is able to have another great season. 

Photo Courtesy of Royals Review

5. Whit Merrifield (Kansas City Royals) 

* Split time between first and second base, left field, centerfield. and right field in 2019. * 

• Defensive Runs Saved: 7 (4th Among Second Baseman with 600 Innings Played) 
• Ultimate Zone Rating: 0.8 (10th) 
• Defensive Rating: 2.0 (11th) 
• Offensive Rating: 11.1 (9th) 
• Wins Above Replacement: 2.9 (9th) 

If you're looking for yet another second baseman on this list that can play multiple positions, look no further than Whit Merrifield of the Kansas City Royals. Merrifield was long viewed as a pillar of the Kansas City Royals at second base, but those methods of thinking have started to shift internally inside the Royals organization with the young, up-and-coming, Nicky Lopez now in the fold. When the Royals come out of Spring Training, Lopez will likely be the teams Opening Day second baseman with Merrifield the starting centerfielder, but if Lopez struggles at any point, then the Royals have a very good depth option with Merrifield who is entering his age 31 season. Besides the versatility that Merrifield provides, he is a player that the Royals view as a natural leader and a critical component to the overall culture inside of the Royals clubhouse. Merrifield now has four big league seasons under his belt because he was a late bloomer overall, but with a young Royals team that desperately needs veteran leadership, Merrifield is the guy. 

One of the best qualities about Whit Merrifield and his game is his ability to hit in the leadoff spot and rake up stolen bases. Last season, Merrifield recorded 20 stolen bases in 30 opportunities and slugged: .299/.346/.460 over 642 plate appearances in the leadoff spot. That's a big reason why Merrifield has been an attractive name on the trade market over the past few years for teams such as the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays. Furthermore, Merrifield rated well on the base paths with an overall base running score of 1.5 according to FanGraphs as well as a speed rating of 6.3. The Royals are taking a gamble by not trading Merrifield before the end of his current contract which expires in three more seasons, but they view him as a critical component of the team. Therefore, it will be fascinating to watch his role develop this coming season and the type of impact he has on the team under new skipper, Mike Matheny.