Top 30 Second Base Prospect Rankings for 2024 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Leagues

Second base is a position that is always in flux. Some are natural second basemen who get drafted for the position. Many start as shortstop or third base prospects. They either grow out of shortstop or third base or lack the defensive skills to stick at those positions. With recent rule changes preventing the shift, teams can no longer use second base to hide a poor defender to get the bat in the lineup. This leaves dynasty owners not knowing who may land at second base. Below I lay out my 2024 Second Base Prospect Rankings. These are players I believe will remain at second base for the long term.

Top 10 Second Base Prospects

Adael Amador, 2B/SS COL

(69 GP, .287/.380/.495, 12 HR, 55 R, 46 RBI, 15 SB)

Adael Amador is No. 1 in our second base prospect rankings due in large part to his plate discipline. Striking out only 37 times in 275 at-bats. He walked more than he struck out with 39 walks. Every season Adael has kept his average around .300 leading me to believe the bat is real. At first glance, the power and speed numbers do not look intriguing. But Adael missed just under half the season with various injuries leading to only 12 home runs and 15 stolen bases. When taking this into account he projects to be a 20/20 hitter.

The Rockies seem happy with Ezequiel Tovar’s production at shortstop. That along with range concerns at shortstop may push Amador to the keystone where his defense will play up. One of the biggest benefits that will assist his numbers is the Coor’s Field effect. His skill set projects an annual .280 average with 25 home runs and 20 stolen bases as he matures.

Ronny Mauricio, 2B/3B/OF NYM

(Triple A- 116 GP, .292/.346/.506, 76 R, 23 HR, 71 RBI, 24 SB)
(MLB – 26 GB, .248/.296/.347, 11 R, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 7 SB)

When thinking of a dynasty league, we think of the long term. That is why Ronny Mauricio still makes the list at number two after his winter league knee injury. Mauricio plays multiple positions but is believed to be a second baseman long-term. In 2023, we saw Mauricio produce career highs in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, and stolen bases. All while improving his walk and strikeout rates. Mauricio can still get aggressive at the plate taking big hacks at balls out of the zone.

The Mets rewarded Mauricio with a promotion at the end of the year. This is where we saw some of that aggressiveness affect his strikeout rate. Striking out 31 times in 101 at-bats while only walking seven times. Struggling to the tune of a .248 batting average, Mauricio still found ways to help, posting seven stolen bases. Mauricio is an interesting prospect because he is built like a power hitter at 6’3” but still has the athleticism to steal bases and play multiple positions. If Mauricio can return to form after the injury, I see a .265 batting average with the potential of 30 home runs and 20 stolen bases.

Termarr Johnson, 2B PIT

(105 GP, .244/.422/.438, 83 R, 18 HR, 59 RBI, 10 SB)

Termarr Johnson was widely considered one of the best prep hitters in the 2022 draft class. He was lauded for his good eye at the plate. Johnson showed that by walking 101 times and producing a .422 on-base percentage in 349 at-bats. Since becoming a professional, Johnson has struggled with his strikeouts (120) and batting average (.244). Some of the struggles may be because he was young for high-A, turning 19 during the season. Johnson showed some power with 18 home runs in 2023. Power combined with a high on-base percentage leads me to believe he will make the necessary adjustments for an improved batting average. When all is said and done, I believe Johnson will hit .270 with 25 home runs in the big leagues. Johnson will form a dynamic duo with O’Neil Cruz, hopefully leading the Pirates to a long-awaited playoff berth.

Curtis Mead, 2B/3B TB

(Minors- 65 GP, .287/.377/.502, 41 R, 9 HR, 49 RBI, 4SB)
(MLB- 24 GB, .253/.326/.349, 12 R, 1 HR, 5 RBI)

Curtis Mead, a product of Australia signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2018. The following year he was dealt to the Rays. Mead has put himself on the map with his impressive hit tool, averaging a batting average of .302 across three seasons since joining the Rays. There has not been much in the way of power, but there is reason to believe more will come as he gets more reps. He may be limited to a role at second base due to arm strength concerns and an elbow injury in 2023.

Mead got his first taste of the major leagues towards the end of last season and struggled a bit. Through 84 at-bats Mead hit for a .253 batting average and 21 of his 26 hits were singles. If Mead wishes to stick in the major leagues, he will have to be more aggressive and drive the ball for more extra bases. I believe Mead can do this with more playing time and adjustments to big-league pitching. Mead offers fielding versatility and can hit .280 with 20+ home runs at his peak.

Connor Norby, 2B BAL

(138 GP, .290/.356/.483, 104 R, 21 HR, 92 RBI, 10 SB)

Connor Norby was drafted out of East Carlina by Baltimore in the second round of the 2021 draft. Standing at just 5’9”, Norby produces more power than one would think, hitting 29 home runs in 2022 and 21 home runs in 2023. There was a dip in the homerun totals in 2023, but he hit 17 more doubles compared to 2022. Norby does not sell out for power, he exhibits the ability to hit for a high average, hitting .290 last season. A weak throwing arm and decent range will limit him to playing at second base.

Norby has little left to prove in the minors and should get a promotion to Baltimore at some point in 2024. He could slot into a scary infield that could consist of Coby May, Jackson Holiday, and Gunnar Henderson. There will be plenty of lineup protection which will aid Norby with his continued power potential. Norby has the long-term potential to hit .275 with 25+ home runs.

Cole Young, 2B/SS SEA

(126 GP, .277/.399/ .448, 92 R, 11 HR, 66 RBI, 22 SB)

Cole Young was a first-round pick in 2022 as a prep player by the Seattle Mariners. He was drafted for his hit tool, possessing a sweet left-handed swing. Young has a good eye at the plate, walking nearly as much as he struck out, 88 walks compared to 90 strikeouts. Young currently does not show a lot of power but as his body matures should hit over 20 home runs annually. He also has some speed netting him 22 stolen bases last year.

There is a chance he sticks at shortstop but may shift to second with JP Crawford signed long-term. Young projects to be a 20/20 hitter and may steal over 30 bases. Young is the prototypical leadoff hitter that will draw plenty of walks with huge runs potential. If Young stays healthy I believe he will be fast-tracked and be in line for a 2025 MLB debut. Young is a player who projects to hit .280 while getting on base enough for 100-plus runs a year.

Thomas Saggese, 2B STL

(139 GP, .306/ .378/ .530, 101 R, 26 HR, 111 RBI, 12 SB)

Thomas Saggese was acquired by St. Louis at the deadline that saw Jordan Montgomery go to Texas. Saggese continued to hit for a high average in 2023 and had career highs in runs, home runs, RBIs, and walks. He can get aggressive at times, leading to a high strikeout rate and suppressed walks. There is plenty of time to make adjustments as he reached triple-A by his age 21 season. Saggese generates power to the pull side which should translate to 25 home runs per year.

He will look to make his debut in the majors towards the end of the 2024 season. Saggese’s natural home is second base but could be used in the utility role to get his bat in the lineup. Versatility along with a great makeup will allow him every opportunity to succeed. Saggese projects to hit .270 with 25 home runs and 15-20 stolen bases.

Ryan Bliss, 2B/SS SEA

(128 GP, .304/ .378/ .544, 110 R, 23 HR, 86 RBI, 55 HR)

Ryan Bliss was acquired last season at the deadline from the Diamondbacks for Paul Sewald. Bliss made a huge jump in 2023 with career highs in all categories. At 5’6”, Bliss has more power than expected, hitting 23 home runs last season. Bliss adjusted his front leg kick shortening it to get to the ball quicker. He is a stolen base threat, swiping 55 bags last season. After being promoted to triple-A Bliss saw a rise in strikeouts and a dip in batting average. Bliss will need to continue to make adjustments at the higher levels otherwise he could end up being a utility player. His skill set projects a .255 average, 20 home runs, and 40 + stolen bases.

Jace Jung, 2B DET

(128 GP, .265/ .376/ .502, 74 R, 28 HR, 82 RBI, 5 SB)

Jace Jung was the Detroit Tigers’ first pick in the 2022 draft. Jace is similar to his brother Josh who plays for the Rangers, all bat, no speed. In his first full season, he hit 28 home runs while posting a respectable .376 on-base percentage. Jung may need to quiet his mechanics a bit to limit the strikeouts and allow him to hit for a high average. The sky is the limit if Jung can make the necessary adjustments. Jung projects to hit 25-30 home runs while batting .260 with minimal stolen base potential. I see him making his debut at the end of 2024 adding to the young core of the Tigers.

Carlos Jorge, 2B CIN

(109 GP, .282/ .374/ .464, 78 R, 12 HR, 50 RBI, 32 SB)

Carlos Jorge was an international signing in 2021 by the Cincinnati Reds. Jorge had a successful first season stateside. He shows a good approach that allows him to hit for a high average and surprising power. Jorge will have to improve his plate discipline to limit the strikeouts. His 32 stolen bases last season demonstrate his speed potential. Jorge is still far away from the big league but offers a high upside with the combination of hitting, speed, and power. Currently, the Red’s minors are stocked with middle infielders allowing more time to develop. Jorge projects to hit .270 with 20+ home runs and 30+ stolen bases. Playing at Great American Ballpark will only increase the power projection.

2024 Top 30 Second Base Prospect Rankings

After you get done digesting our 2024 second base prospect rankings, please head on over and check out all of our 2024 Positional Prospect Rankings.

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