Sports
Hello, the keep’d everyone gallop? A one year ago, 2d harmful gave the impact of the “it” location. Mookie Betts used to be anticipated to gallop there extra completely from factual self-discipline and Xander Bogaerts used to be bumping over from shortstop while everyone used to be giddily expecting the advent of high prospect Jackson Holliday.
Smartly, the role all of sudden seems to be extra barren. Betts and Bogaerts are at shortstop, Jose Altuve is an outfielder, Luis Arraez is spending extra time before the entire lot harmful and designated hitter, Holliday’s first colossal-league test used to be rocky, and it now seems to be as if Alex Bregman could maybe maybe well no longer be making a role swap in Boston.
Quickly, the role could maybe maybe well discover an influx of thrilling possibilities, from Kristian Campbell to Travis Bazzana to Christian Moore. For now, even though, or now no longer it’s miles a location dominated by veterans. On the least this could well maybe maybe catch a miniature bit Jazzier!
Our eight-fraction role series continues with the tip 10 2d basemen entering the 2025 season.
10. Brice Turang , Milwaukee Brewers 2024 stats: .254/.316/.349, 7 HR, 87 wRC+, 2.5 fWAR
2025 ZiPS projections: .254/.317/.360, 9 HR, 90 wRC+, 2.6 fWAR
Fresh rule: Whenever you rob 50 bases and fetch the Platinum Glove, you catch a role on the tip-10 checklist.
9. Matt McLain , Cincinnati Reds 2024 stats: (Injured – did no longer play)
2025 ZiPS: 254/.340/.449, 19 HR, 114 wRC+, 3.6 fWAR
Coming off a misplaced one year convalescing from shoulder surgical operation, can McLain salvage the keep he left off when he posted an .864 OPS and used to be a three-fetch participant in 89 games as a rookie in 2023? If he can, he’ll zoom up this checklist fleet.
8. Tommy Edman , Los Angeles Dodgers 2024 stats: .237/.294/.417, 6 HR, 98 wRC+, 0.9 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .254/.310/.394, 11 HR, 98 wRC+, 2.8 fWAR
For now, Edman is foundation the season because the Dodgers’ major 2d baseman. The truth he could maybe maybe well perfect as with out problems play in heart, and could maybe maybe well most likely work in there, speaks to the distinctive versatility he brings. The swap-hitter obliterated left-handed pitching in his short sample with the Dodgers after lacking the inspiration of the one year convalescing from wrist and ankle accidents then earned NLCS MVP honors while starring in the postseason. It used to be an correct reminder that he’s honest a pair of years some distance off from a 6.2-bWAR season.
7. Nico Hoerner , Chicago Cubs 2024 stats: .273/.335/.373, 7 HR, 103 wRC+, 4.0 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .275/.335/.385, 9 HR, 105 wRC+, 4.2 fWAR
The Cubs neglected Hoerner’s glove at some point of the Tokyo Series. Thankfully for them, he’s liable to be ready for domestic Opening Day. It remains to be seen if there will most likely be any lingering effects from the flexor tendon surgical operation he underwent in October, but if he seems to be as if the the same man upon return, his protection, speed and make contact with skills will practically undoubtedly proceed to catch him one among the most priceless 2d basemen in the league.
6. Brandon Lowe , Tampa Bay Rays 2024 stats: .244/.311/.473, 21 HR, 123 wRC+, 2.3 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .242/.323/.458, 21 HR, 125 wRC+, 2.9 fWAR
It is a shame that the Rays could maybe maybe personal to play at a minor-league park this one year, but Lowe and the Rays’ left-handed hitters could maybe maybe well pause up making the most of the swap to George M. Steinbrenner Self-discipline, the keep the factual-self-discipline wall is eight toes nearer than The Trop’s. The new self-discipline has played extremely hitter-pleasant to lefties. After assist-to-assist years with 21 homers, build now no longer be disturbed when Lowe devices a career-high in the category this one year.
5. Ozzie Albies , Atlanta Braves 2024 stats: .251/.303/.404, 10 HR, 95 wRC+, 1.3 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .261/.314/.446, 18 HR, 108 wRC+, 2.4 fWAR
When he’s wholesome, he tends to fabricate like one among the excellent gamers at his role. Nonetheless staying on the self-discipline has been a reveal for Albies, who used to be slight to ninety 9 games final one year. To boot, while his bat-to-ball skills remain terrific, there used to be a relatively pertaining to fall in engaging-hit rate final one year that made him a league moderate batter when he did play. Nonetheless, each and every a form of season the final four years has been an All-Wide name one year for Albies. So, if that pattern sticks, I relate his fourth All-Wide name season is ahead!
4. Andrés Giménez , Toronto Blue Jays 2024 stats: .252/.298/.340, 9 HR, 83 wRC+, 2.8 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .267/.327/.397, 13 HR, 108 wRC+, 4.6 fWAR
It is looking an increasing number of extra like his breakout offensive season in 2022 used to be an outlier, as his OPS and engaging-hit rate personal dropped dramatically over the final couple years. On the least, he’ll must pull his on-harmful share assist up above .300. Silent, his elite protection and baserunning will catch him a priceless participant in Toronto. That he used to be value 9.0 bWAR over the final two years while posting an OPS+ 11 percent below league moderate demonstrates perfect how particular his glove is. If park factors are any predictor, most likely playing at Rogers Centre is now no longer going to less than give him a slight enhance up from Cleveland.
3. Jazz Chisholm Jr ., Fresh York Yankees 2024 stats: .256/.324/.436, 24 HR, 110 wRC+, 4.0 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .251/.318/.448, 24 HR, 115 wRC+, 3.6 fWAR
After admirably making moves to heart and third, Chisholm is assist the keep he started. He’ll provide offensive upside like few others at 2d harmful. After an All-Wide name 2022 campaign, Chisholm hasn’t fully taken the soar he’s capable of, but he did personal an .815 OPS in the 2d half with the Yankees final season. His bat will most likely be needed in lifting the lineup because the Yankees take care of a litany of accidents.
2. Marcus Semien , Texas Rangers 2024 stats: .237/.308/.391, 23 HR, ninety 9 wRC+, 4.2 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .249/.321/.424, 23 HR, 112 wRC+, 4.4 fWAR
How many gamers will most likely be value four wins in a down one year? No topic hitting league moderate final one year, Semien is coming off assist-to-assist All-Wide name campaigns and has completed in the tip three in MVP voting in two of the final four and three of the final five seasons. The closing ironman and one among the sport’s high defenders, Semien has neglected no better than three games in six of the final seven seasons. Over the final four years, he leads all 2d basemen in WAR.
1. Ketel Marte , Arizona Diamondbacks 2024 stats: .292/.372/.560, 36 HR, 151 wRC+, 6.3 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .270/.350/.483, 24 HR, 128 wRC+, 4.0 fWAR
One in every of the most misplaced sight of stars in the sport, Marte is with out a doubt the tip offensive possibility at his role heading into the 2025 season. He has 61 homers over the final two years and is coming off a 2024 All-Wide name campaign in which he acquired a Silver Slugger Award and completed third in MVP voting while hitting the ball more challenging than ever earlier than. His energy on the plate makes it easy to miss that he moreover had one among his most efficient defensive seasons by most evolved metrics. With Christian Walker long past, his importance to an interesting Arizona personnel goes up every other notch.
Honorable Mentions: Luis Garcia Jr . ( Washington Nationals ), Gleyber Torres ( Detroit Tigers ), Tyler Fitzgerald ( San Francisco Giants )
Rowan Kavner is an MLB creator for FOX Sports actions. He previously lined the L.A. Dodgers, L.A. Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan used to be born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved assist to the West Flee in 2014. Observe him on X at @RowanKavner .
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