Second Basemen to Target in 2018

Second base doesn’t have a ton of depth. In fact, Jose Altuve is the only second baseman in the Top 30 of Expert Consensus Rankings at FantasyPros. We also have a bunch of young up-and-coming talent at the position. Who can be trusted? Here are a few second baseman to target on draft day:

Javier Baez

Current Rank: 104
Expect Consensus Rank: 149

Baez has been a breakout season waiting to happen since 2016. Last season, he was a top 100 fantasy option from May 1 on. Playing time, not skill or talent, is the big argument against him. In 2017, he got just 508 at bats. I’m convinced he easily surpasses that and frankly is just a better overall player in his third full season. I have him as a Top 10 option at second and he also carries shortstop eligibility, which doesn’t hurt.

Ian Happ

Current Rank: 136
Expect Consensus Rank: 156

Baez’s teammate Ian Happ is another great option at second base in 2018. Happ had a great debut season with 24 HR 68 RBI 62 R 8 SB and a respectable .253 average. If you simply stretch out his 2017, which saw only 364 at bats in the majors, to a full season pace, Happ has the potential for 30 HR 90 RBI 90 R and 10 SB. That’s an incredible stat line, especially at second base. It’s crazy to think his current ECR is outside the top 150.

Eduardo Nunez

Current Rank: 153
Expect Consensus Rank: 166

Nunez, currently 30 years old, came on early in his career. In 2016, Nunez was great with a 16 HR 40 SB season. He followed this up with a 12 HR 24 SB season. It should be noted his 2017 consisted of just 114 games played. If you combine both 2016 and 2017, Nunez has averaged 14 HR 32 SB and a .299 average. This is great value going outside the top 150 overall players. Nunez also carries multi-position eligibility with third base and outfield in addition to second base. Nunez’s value is currently dependent on where he signs and if he will get everyday playing time on his new team.

In addition to these players, here are a few other options who are currently ranked outside the Top 250 of the FantasyPros Expert Consensus Rankings:

Yangervis Solarte
My Rank: 273 Expert Consensus Rank: 341
Great home ballpark. Eligible at second, shortstop, and third. Sneaky 20+ HR upside.

Brandon Phillips
My Rank: 278 Expert Consensus Rank: 434
He’s so old he was drafted by the Expos, but Phillips has a three-year average of 12 HR 65 RBI 75 R 16 SB and a .290 average. You can’t get much safer outside the top 250.

Scott Kingery
My Rank: 314 Expert Consensus Rank: 475
26 HR and 29 SB between Double-A and Triple-A last year. He has to either win the starting job or take it away from Cesar Hernandez but a fantasy superstar is in the making.