The updated rankings for second basemen are broken into three parts: the top 10 prospects in order, the next five prospects in alphabetical order and a ranking of the top second-base prospects from the 2015 draft. As always, these rankings are done from a scouting perspective but with fantasy baseball in mind, generally focusing on standard 5x5 league categories, though other statistics (e.g., OBP) are considered.
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The Top 10:
1. Yoan Moncada, Boston Red Sox (Low-A Greenville, South Atlantic League)
2015 Stats: 65 G, 288 PA, .282/.374/.437, 48 R, 6 HR, 24 XBH, 31 RBI, 35 SB, 10.1% BB%, 22.9% K%
The Red Sox captured headlines during the offseason with their signing of high-profile Cuban sensation Yoan Moncada. The club gave the then-19-year-old infielder a $31.5 million bonus, far and away a record for a July 2 prospect, and they’ll have to pay a steep penalty next year for eclipsing their international spending limit, with the total cost coming in at $63 million. Moncada got off to a slow start in his highly anticipated stateside debut, posting a .576 OPS with a 31% strikeout rate through his first 25 games. However, that was to be expected considering he hadn’t played professionally since 2013, prior to defecting from Cuba. Since then, the 20-year-old switch-hitter has been on fire, batting a robust .329/.422/.523 with 19 extra-base hits and 31 steals over his last 40 contests. Moncada’s combination of hitting ability, power and speed from an up-the-middle position makes him one of the most valuable prospects in the game, and it already appears as though he was worth the investment.
Fantasy Upside: .290+ AVG, 22-25 HR, 30+ SB
2. Jose Peraza, Los Angeles Dodgers (Triple-A Gwinnett, International League)
2015 Stats: 109 G, 481 PA, .299/.323/.392, 60 R, 25 XBH, 41 RBI, 29 SB, 3.5% BB%, 8.1% K%
Acquired from the Braves at the trade deadline, Peraza technically should no longer qualify for this list after appearing in two games with the Dodgers. However, we’re cutting the 21-year-old a break in this installment because he’s a lock to return to the majors when rosters on Sept. 1. Peraza’s performance in Triple-A this season - which has been split between the Braves’ and Dodgers’ affiliates - is reminiscent of his 2014 breakout campaign, as he’s continued to make tons of contact (91.2% contact rate) while utilizing his plus-plus speed on both sides of the ball. The 21-year-old rarely strikes out (10.1% career strikeout rate) but he also doesn’t work deep counts (4.9% walk rate) and has virtually no over-the-fence pop. That being said, Peraza has the makings of a top-of-the-order hitter and should get a chance to make the club next season with the departure of free agent Howie Kendrick.
Fantasy Upside: .280+ AVG, 3-5 HR, 30+ SB
3. Forrest Wall, Colorado Rockies (Low-A Asheville, South Atlantic League)
2015 Stats: 85 G, 353 PA, .286/.372/.439, 48 R, 6 HR, 25 XBH, 40 RBI, 24 SB, 11.3% BB%, 18.1% K%
With an .811 OPS, 25 extra-base hits and 24 steals through 85 games at Low-A Asheville, it’s safe to say Wall’s promising blend of power and speed has translated as expected this season in the South Atlantic League. And considering Asheville’s home park heavily favors left-handed hitters, it is good to see Wall has balanced home (.820 OPS) and road (.800 OPS) splits. The 19-year-old spent nearly a month on the disabled list with a shoulder injury across June and July, but he’s been red hot since returning, evidenced by a .404/.493/.491 batting line, 23 hits and eight stolen bases in his last 15 contests. As long as he’s healthy, Wall is a strong candidate to put up big numbers next season in the California League.
Fantasy Upside: .280+ AVG, 12-15 HR, 20+ SB
4. Alen Hanson, Pittsburgh Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis, International League)
2015 Stats: 102 G, 459 PA, .267/.316/.398, 58 R, 6 HR, 31 XBH, 42 RBI, 30 SB, 7.0% BB%, 17.2% K%
Moved up to Triple-A Indianapolis for 2015, Hanson scuffled during his first month in the International League before catching fire May. Specifically, over a 42-game period between May 1 and June 16, prior to hitting the disabled list with a fractured pinkie, Hanson batted a robust .307/.345/.497 with 55 hits, 19 extra-base hits and 10 steals. The 22-year-old switch-hitter hasn’t found his groove at the plate since returning, however, as he’s batting just .237/.297/.353 over his last 39 games. It’s worth noting that Hanson, who already is on Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster, is expected to see more time at shortstop and third base moving forward, ostensibly setting the stage for him to assume a bench role as a September call-up.
Fantasy Upside: .260+ AVG, 20+ 2B, 20+ SB
5. Robert Refsnyder, New York Yankees (Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre, International League)
2015 Stats: 106 G, 475 PA, .280/.374/.417, 62 R, 9 HR, 35 XBH, 49 RBI, 10 SB, 11.4% BB%, 13.7% K%
Refsnyder’s first stint of the major leagues lasted just four games, with the 24-year-old collecting two hits (including his first home run) in 12 at-bats before returning to Triple-A on July 18. The Yankees ultimately decided to stick with veteran Stephen Drew, who, despite hitting below .200 this season, is a superior defender at the keystone. Refsnyder may have nothing left to prove in the minor leagues, but the Yankees also aren’t in a position to audition him down the stretch. He’ll still return to the major leagues and log some starts next month when rosters expand, but significant playing time seems unlikely given the presence of sure-handed infielders such as Drew and Brendan Ryan.
Fantasy Upside: .270+ AVG, 10-12 HR, 15+ 2B
6. Tony Kemp, Houston Astros (Triple-A Fresno, Pacific Coast League)
2015 Stats: 102 G, 475 PA, .307/.387/.371, 68 R, 20 XBH, 43 RBI, 31 SB, 10.5% BB%, 12.0 K%
Kemp enjoyed a blistering first half at Double-A Corpus Christi, posting an .876 OPS with 15 stolen bases and more walks (35) than strikeouts (28) in 50 games before moving up to Triple-A Fresno. Yet, surprisingly, the 23-year-old’s success has not carried over to the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, as he’s produced a disappointing .263/.319/.327 batting line in 54 games while also striking out twice as often as he’s walked (29/15 K/BB). While Kemp has spent most of his time at second base this season, he’s also set a new career high by playing 29 games in the outfield (26 in CF, three in LF). His combination of speed, on-base skills and defensive versatility could make Kemp a useful utility player for the Astros later this season.
Fantasy Upside: .260+ AVG, .350 OBP, 20+ SB
7. Domingo Leyba, Arizona Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia, California League)
2015 Stats: 107 G, 488 PA, .251/.288/.321, 58 R, 24 XBH, 41 RBI, 10 SB, 4.7% BB%, 15.6% K%
The Diamondbacks acquired Leyba from the Tigers last offseason as part of the three-team trade that sent Didi Gregorius to the Yankees. The 19-year-old switch-hitter had raked at every minor league stop throughout his young career, even when challenged with aggressive assignments. Yet, Leyba has struggled this season in the hitter-friendly California League, posting a .609 OPS in 107 games. However, a .294 BABIP and 83% contact rate suggests the switch-hitter’s average should continue to improve - and it has of late, as he’s batted .310 with a .796 OPS over his last 17 games.
Fantasy Upside: .280+ AVG, 20+ 2B
8. Wendell Rijo, Boston Red Sox (High-A Salem, Carolina League)
2015 Stats: 91 G, 377 PA, .254/.311/.363, 28 XBH, 34 RBI, 10 SB, 6.3% BB%, 21.% K%
At 19, Rijo is one of the younger everyday players in the Carolina League this season; so, with that in mind, he’s having a pretty respectable campaign. Rijo has had nearly 33% of his hits go for extra bases this year despite hitting only four home runs, which suggests that the right-handed hitter might continue to add power moving forward. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic native is on pace for his best statistical month of the season, with a .315/.377/.370 batting line in August across 14 games.
Fantasy Upside: .270+ AVG, 10-12 HR, 10+ SB
9. Josh Morgan, Texas Rangers (Low-A Hickory, South Atlantic League – Disabled list)
2015 Stats: 98 G, 416 PA, .288/.385/.362, 59 R, 19 XBH, 36 RBI, 9 SB, 10.8% BB%, 12.7% K%
Morgan’s full-season debut has looked a lot like his professional debut last summer, as he’s hit for average, reached base at a high clip and shown good gap power. The 19-year-old possesses the natural hitting ability and plate discipline to be a healthy source of runs, average and OBP, and he should start to steal more bases with improved jumps and reads. Morgan never will offer much over-the-fence power, likely single-digit home runs in his prime, but he should get his share of doubles.
Fantasy Upside: .270+ AVG, .350+ OBP, 20+ 2B
10. Avery Romero, Miami Marlins (High-A Jupiter, Florida State League)
2015 Stats: 116 G, 477 PA, .263/.319/.317, 44 R, 16 XBH, 42 RBI, 7.8% BB%, 14.5% K%
A third-round draft pick from 2012, Romero had a dismal first half in the Florida State League, posting a .595 OPS in 67 games including a .531 OPS in June. The 22-year-old has fared better since the All-Star break (.680 OPS), but his .631 OPS on the season is easily the lowest mark of his four-year career. On a more positive note, Romero’s excellent bat-to-ball skills have produced an 83.9% contact rate this season, giving him an 85.2% rate for his career. There’s always hope for a guy who makes a lot of contact.
Fantasy Upside: .270 AVG, 5-8 HR, 20+ 2B
The Next Five (Alphabetical Order):
Sean Coyle, Boston Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket, International League)
2015 Stats: 52 G, 203 PA, .193/.294/.341, 6 HR, 14 XBH, 25 RBI, 5 SB, 11.8% BB%, 32.5% K%
Drew Robinson, Texas Rangers (Double-A Frisco, Texas League)
2015 Stats: 115 G, 472 PA, .232/.369/.441, 71 R, 17 HR, 43 XBH, 56 RBI, 14 SB, 17.0 BB%, 27.1% K%
Austin Slater, San Francisco Giants (Double-A Richmond, Eastern League)
2015 Stats: 105 G, 449 PA, .296/.335/.387, 43 R, 30 XBH, 46 RBI, 4.9% BB%, 17.8% K%
Joey Wendle, Oakland Athletics (Triple-A Nashville, Pacific Coast League)
2015 Stats: 117 G, 529 PA, .278/.311/.408, 60 R, 6 HR, 45 XBH, 46 RBI, 8 SB, 3.6% BB%, 18.0%
Kean Wong, Tampa Bay Rays (High-A Charlotte, Florida State League)
2015 Stats: 96 G, 410 PA, .287/.333/.344, 44 R, 17 XBH, 15 SB, 6.8% BB%, 14.1% K%
Top Five 2B Prospects from 2015 Draft:
1. Scott Kingery, Philadelphia Phillies (Low-A Lakewood, South Atlantic League)
2. Willie Calhoun, Los Angeles Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga, California League)
3. Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays (Unassigned)
4. Josh Tobias, Philadelphia Phillies (Short Season Williamsport, New York-Penn League)
5. Brandon Wagner, New York Yankees (Short Season Staten Island, New York-Penn League)
Previous installments from Prospect Positional series:
First Basemen (Aug. 12, 2015)
Outfielders (Aug. 5, 2015)
Starting Pitchers (July 29, 2015)
Catchers (July 22, 2015)
Shortstops (July 15, 2015)
Third Basemen (July 8, 2015)
Rotoworld Season Pass Prospect Rankings (Updated weekly)
*All stats reflect games through August 17.
