Rating the ten finest second basemen in MLB for 2025

Hey, the place’d all people go? A yr in the past, second base appeared just like the “it” spot. Mookie Betts was anticipated to maneuver there extra completely from proper subject and Xander Bogaerts was bumping over from shortstop whereas everybody was giddily awaiting the arrival of high prospect Jackson Holliday.

Properly, the place all of a sudden appears to be like extra barren. Betts and Bogaerts are at shortstop, Jose Altuve is an outfielder, Luis Arraez is spending extra time at first base and designated hitter, Holliday’s first big-league check was rocky, and it now appears to be like like Alex Bregman will not be making a place swap in Boston.

Quickly, the place may see an inflow of thrilling prospects, from Kristian Campbell to Travis Bazzana to Christian Moore. For now, although, it is a spot dominated by veterans. At the least it’ll get slightly Jazzier!

Our eight-part place sequence continues with the highest 10 second basemen coming into the 2025 season.

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

New rule: For those who steal 50 bases and win the Platinum Glove, you get a spot on the top-10 checklist.

2024 stats: (Injured – didn’t play)
2025 ZiPS: 254/.340/.449, 19 HR, 114 wRC+, 3.6 fWAR

Coming off a misplaced yr recovering from shoulder surgical procedure, can McLain choose up the place he left off when he posted an .864 OPS and was a three-win participant in 89 video games as a rookie in 2023? If he can, he’ll zoom up this checklist rapidly.

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 starting the season because the Dodgers’ major second baseman. The very fact he may simply as simply play in heart, and can probably work in there, speaks to the distinctive versatility he brings. The switch-hitter obliterated left-handed pitching in his quick pattern with the Dodgers after lacking the start of the yr recovering from wrist and ankle accidents then earned NLCS MVP honors whereas starring within the postseason. It was reminder that he is solely a few years faraway from a 6.2-bWAR season.

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 missed Hoerner’s glove in the course of the Tokyo Collection. Fortunately for them, he may be prepared for home Opening Day. It stays to be seen if there shall be any lingering results from the flexor tendon surgical procedure he underwent in October, but when he appears to be like like the identical man upon return, his protection, pace and call expertise will virtually actually proceed to make him probably the most useful second basemen within the league.

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 disgrace that the Rays should play at a minor-league park this yr, however Lowe and the Rays’ left-handed hitters may find yourself benefiting from the swap to George M. Steinbrenner Subject, the place the right-field wall is eight ft nearer than The Trop’s. The brand new subject has performed extraordinarily hitter-friendly to lefties. After back-to-back years with 21 homers, do not be shocked when Lowe units a career-high within the class this yr.

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 is wholesome, he tends to carry out like top-of-the-line gamers at his place. However staying on the sphere has been an issue for Albies, who was restricted to 99 video games final yr. As well as, whereas his bat-to-ball expertise stay terrific, there was a somewhat regarding drop in hard-hit fee final yr that made him a league common batter when he did play. Then once more, each different season the final 4 years has been an All-Star yr for Albies. So, if that development sticks, I suppose his fourth All-Star season is forward!

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 trying increasingly more like his breakout offensive season in 2022 was an outlier, as his OPS and hard-hit fee have dropped dramatically during the last couple years. In any case, he’ll want to tug his on-base proportion again up above .300. Nonetheless, his elite protection and baserunning will make him a useful participant in Toronto. That he was price 9.0 bWAR during the last two years whereas posting an OPS+ 11 % under league common demonstrates simply how particular his glove is. If park components are any predictor, maybe enjoying at Rogers Centre will not less than give him a slight increase up from Cleveland.

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 strikes to heart and third, Chisholm is again the place he began. He’ll present offensive upside like few others at second base. After an All-Star 2022 marketing campaign, Chisholm hasn’t totally taken the leap he is able to, however he did have an .815 OPS within the second half with the Yankees final season. His bat shall be essential in lifting the lineup because the Yankees cope with a litany of accidents.

2024 stats: .237/.308/.391, 23 HR, 99 wRC+, 4.2 fWAR
2025 ZiPS: .249/.321/.424, 23 HR, 112 wRC+, 4.4 fWAR

What number of gamers might be price 4 wins in a down yr? Regardless of hitting league common final yr, Semien is coming off back-to-back All-Star campaigns and has completed within the high three in MVP voting in two of the final 4 and three of the final 5 seasons. The final word ironman and one of many recreation’s high defenders, Semien has missed not more than three video games in six of the final seven seasons. Over the past 4 years, he leads all second basemen in WAR.

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 of the crucial neglected stars within the sport, Marte is certainly the highest offensive menace at his place heading into the 2025 season. He has 61 homers during the last two years and is coming off a 2024 All-Star marketing campaign wherein he received a Silver Slugger Award and completed third in MVP voting whereas hitting the ball tougher than ever earlier than. His energy on the plate makes it simple to overlook that he additionally had one in all his finest defensive seasons by most superior metrics. With Christian Walker gone, his significance to an intriguing Arizona staff goes up one other notch.

Honorable Mentions: Luis Garcia Jr. (Washington Nationals), Gleyber Torres (Detroit Tigers), Tyler Fitzgerald (San Francisco Giants)

Rowan Kavner is an MLB author for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand lined the L.A. Dodgers, L.A. Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved again to the West Coast in 2014. Observe him on X at @RowanKavner.