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SP | RP | OF | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | C |
In the major leagues, second base is often filled with players who were moved from other positions, and many second base prospects have yet to play second base. Alexander Guerrero played shortstop in Cuba, Alen Hanson has not played second base since 2011, Wilmer Flores primarily played third base and shortstop prior to 2013 and Dorssys Paulino has only played shortstop in his career. But due to defensive deficiencies, organizational need, or as a way to get a bat into a lineup, many prospects will make positional changes in order to increase playing time.
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Kolten Wong | Cardinals |
| 2 | Alexander Guerrero | Dodgers |
| 3 | Mookie Betts | Red Soz |
| 4 | Alen Hanson | Pirates |
| 5 | Wilmer Flores | Mets |
| 6 | Dorssys Paulino | Indians |
| 7 | Jonathan Schoop | Orioles |
| 8 | Delino DeShields | Astros |
| 9 | Roughned Odor | Rangers |
| 10 | Arismendy Alcantara | Cubs |
| 11 | Dilson Herrera | Mets |
| 12 | Cory Spangenberg | Padres |
1. Kolten Wong, Cardinals (Finished 2013 in majors)
The diminutive second baseman who was drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft has hit for a high average with 20 stolen bases throughout his time in the minor leagues. Promoted to the majors for the last six weeks of the season, Wong struggled, hitting .153/.194/.169 while playing irregularly. While his potential is not that of an elite player, Wong’s value in fantasy will be much higher than his real world value. He projects as a .290/.350/.380 hitter who picks up 20-30 stolen bases, Wong could score 100 runs as part of the Cardinals’ potent lineup. He may lose time in 2014 to Mark Ellis and Daniel Descalso, but the starting second base job is his to lose, and he will be given enough time to get comfortable. Fantasy comparable is the even smaller Jose Altuve.
2. Alexander Guerrero, Dodgers (defected from Cuba in 2013)
After defecting from Cuba, the 27-year old Guerrero signed a four-year, $28 million contract with the Dodgers. A consistent .300 hitter in the National Series, Guerrero lacks the power of other recent Cuban émigrés such as Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Cespedes and Jose Dariel Abreu. The starting second base job is his to lose, but he may lose time to Dee Gordon if he struggles or if Gordon has a strong spring training. Guerrero projects to hit .260/.315/.380 with 15 home runs and a few stolen bases. His fantasy comparable is Yunel Escobar with more power.
3. Mookie Betts, Red Sox (finished 2013 in High-A, likely to open 2014 in AA)
A prototypical top of the order second baseman with good speed and a little pop, Betts burst on the prospect scene in 2013, hitting .296/.418/477. in High-A, then .341/.414/.551 in High-A. While he is unlikely to hit for more than a handful of home runs in the major leagues, Betts could hit .300/.350/.375 with 30+ stolen bases every year. Betts is blocked by Dustin Pedroia, and is a perfect candidate to get traded at the trading deadline in 2014. His fantasy comparable is Juan Pierre, though it is unlikely that he will exceed 40 stolen bases.
4. Alen Hansen, Pirates (finished 2013 in AA, likely to return to start 2014)
Hanson appeared on the prospect scene in 2012 when he hit .309/.381/.528 as a 19-year old in Class A ball. In 2013, Hanson had a solid showing in High-A, which ended in AA. Though he struggled in AA, Hanson had ten extra base hits in 150 plate appearances, showing his potential. Though he played only shortstop in 2012 and 2013, Hanson projects as a second baseman who will hit at the top of the lineup. Hanson projects as a .300/.350/.415 hitter with the potential to steal 30+ bases every year. His fantasy comparable is Eric Young, Sr.
5. Wilmer Flores, Mets (finished 2013 in majors)
Though it seems like he has been around for at least a decade, Flores did not turn 22 until August of 2013, making his journey from being a 17-year old appearing in a game for the A-ball Savannah Sand Gnats to the major leagues in under six full seasons. Though he will never be better than a serviceable defender at second base, Flores has the tools to become a solid bat-first second baseman. Prior to his cup of coffee for the Mets, Flores hit .321/.357/.531 in AAA, primarily playing second base. Flores, who is currently blocked by Daniel Murphy and Eric Young, projects as a .280/.320/.380 hitter with 10-15 home run power. His fantasy comparable is Joe Randa with less power.
6. Dorssys Paulino, Indians (finished 2013 in A, likely to repeat the level)
Despite struggling against much older competition, Paulino held his own in 2013, hitting 28 doubles and stealing 12 bases despite being one of the youngest players in the Midwest League. Paulino projects to hit for decent average and some power, and while he has only played shortstop so far, Paulino will be moved to second base due to lackluster defense and elite prospect Francisco Lindor. Paulino projects to be a .260/.315/.360 hitter, which is a replacement-level second baseman, even in a 12-team league. Paulino’s fantasy comparable is Gordon Beckham.
7. Jonathan Schoop, Orioles (Finished 2013 in majors)
Despite struggling in AAA, Schoop got a cup of coffee in the major leagues in 2013, giving Orioles fans a taste of what is coming. Despite the Orioles’ acquisition of Jemile Weeks, Schoop could still see a significant amount of playing time in 2014. Projected to be an average defensive second baseman, Schoop could become a .275/.330/.400 hitter who adds in a few stolen bases. His fantasy comparable is Neil Walker.
8. Delino DeShields, Astros (finished 2013 in High-A, likely to begin 2014 in AA)
The son of the former major leaguer of almost the same name (they have different middle names), DeShields brings a similar skill set as his father – a little pop, a decent glove at second base and elite speed. After stealing 101 bases in 2012, he stole “only” 51 in 2013, where he put together a .317/.405/.468 line in the hitter-friendly California League. DeShields may have an overly passive approach at the plate, but he projects to be a sparkplug at the top of a major league lineup, where he could hit .300/.380/.450 with 50+ stolen bases. His fantasy comparable is Rafael Furcal.
9. Rougned Odor, Rangers (finished 2013 in AA, likely to open 2014 there)
Odor’s stock took a giant leap in 2013 when he hit .305/.365/.474 across High-A and AA, which included 58 extra base hits while playing a solid shortstop. He has the talent to play shortstop in a pinch, but will end up being an above-average second baseman. Odor is blocked by Elvis Andrus and Jurickson Profar, so may need to be traded to get consistent playing time. He projects to turn into a .300/.365/.450 hitter with 20+ stolen bases. His fantasy comparable is Austin Jackson with fewer strikeouts and stolen bases.
10. Arismendy Alcantara, Cubs (finished 2013 in AA, likely to open 2014 in AAA)
A surprise prospect in a suddenly loaded organization, Alcantara’s good speed and gap power makes him a prospect to watch who could return dividends in the short term. Though he lacks an elite skill, Alcantara projects as a second baseman who hits .280/.335/.400 hitter who picks up 30 stolen bases. Alcantara’s approach at the plate can get overly aggressive, so he may be overmatched at first, but his knack for solid contact and good speed will make him a decent second base option. His fantasy comparable is Angel Pagan.
Bonus two: Dilson Herrera, Mets; Cory Spangenberg, Padres
