Staff Post: Second basemen to target in 2021 fantasy baseball

Second base week is drawing to a close, and I have to say overall it’s a position that is bereft of much excitement outside of the top three (Albies, LeMahieu, Merrifield). There are a few shots I’m willing to take at different times, but mostly I see a studly top three and a bunch of dart throws. Yikes. Anyway, let’s get into it...

Dylan Moore, Seattle Mariners (Andres Chavez)

NFBC ADP: 128.11

While he has some flaws as a batter—most notably his ability to hit breaking balls and offspeed pitches—Moore has a fantasy friendly game, full of homers, steals, walks, and runs. In just 38 games last season, he hit .255/.358/.496 with eight dingers, 12 thefts, and a 138 wRC+, so even with a little regression he should remain productive and is a 20-30 threat over a full season. Mariners managers recently implied he has a leg up in the second base job competition, and should beat out Shed Long and play regularly. If he can be at least respectable against pitches that aren’t fastballs, he could finish the season in elite territory when it comes to second basemen.

Andrés Giménez, Cleveland Indians (Mark Abell)

NFBC ADP: 160.58

The last few years the Indians have done well cultivating their infielders. I think Giménez will get a green light to run as much as he wants. I also see potential long-term for him. Some players come in and burn out. I think Giménez is the opposite, a player who will continue to grow and develop each year. Watching his rookie ball and Double-A, he got more comfortable with stealing and power with the added time in each league.

Nick Solak, Texas Rangers (Heath Capps)

NFBC ADP: 162.37

Solak is a bat-first infielder with some positional flexibility. He was 7-for-8 on the basepaths in the shortened season, courtesy of his 91st percentile sprint speed. His is also a medium-to-dark red Statcast profile, as he is above average in hard hit rate, exit velocity, xBA, K-rate, and whiff rate. His ability to play infield and outfield (albeit not well) means we should enjoy seeing him in the everyday lineup so long as his bat holds. And given that the stick is his calling card—not the glove—I’m pretty sold on Solak making a difference as a middle infield option for my fake teams in 2021.

Ryan McMahon, Colorado Rockies (Garrett Atkins)

NFBC ADP: 239.84

When in doubt, trust Coors Field. Okay, so it’s a bit more than that. Ryan McMahon was third among second basemen with a 90.1 MPH average exit velocity and a 6.2% Brls/PA. He was also fifth at the position with a 43% hard hit rate. A career season coming from the 26-year-old in 2021? I’m buying in.