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Second base is one of the thinnest positions in fantasy baseball, but also one with a ton of promise. Whether it’s speed, power or both, the keystone is in a tremendously interesting state heading into 2018.
Today I take a look at three second basemen who I expect to have strong seasons for fantasy baseball owners. For a complete look at our second base rankings prior to your draft, check here.
Without further ado, let’s get to the top breakout candidates at second base for 2018.
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Second Basemen to Watch
Yoan Moncada, Chicago White Sox
An obvious choice, the former top prospect struggled out of the gate in his first few tastes of big league action but something clicked down the stretch in 2017.
After a brutal start following his July recall in which he hit .105 and struck out 34.8% of the time, the young Cuban began to flip the script in August with a .781 OPS and 116 wRC+ before really taking off in September. Moncada hit .276/.349/.469 in the final month with a .194 ISO and a 120 wRC+. The steals didn’t show up - he was just 3-for-5 on the basepaths - but early reports suggest he could open the season as the White Sox leadoff hitter.
His plate vision (12.6% walk rate in 2017) and wheels (at 29.3 ft/s he ranked tied for 10th in all of baseball) will afford him plenty of opportunities to run. In terms of his power, he showed encouraging signs in September after raising his fly ball rate from 31.4% to 38.2% while simultaneously raising his line drive rate and dropping his ground ball rate. The Pale Hose will give him every chance to succeed in 2018.
Scott Kingery, Philadelphia Phillies
This time a year ago, you’d be hard-pressed to find many people talking about Scott Kingery. Coming off a 2016 season that saw him overmatched after a promotion to Double-A, the Phillies young second baseman was an afterthought. Enter 2017.
Kingery went to work in the offseason and came back with some revised mechanics and a new approach, and boy did it pay off. The former 2nd round pick absolutely crushed Double-A pitching, posting a .987 OPS with 18 HR and 19 SB in just 278 at-bats. He held his own after reaching Triple-A and is now enjoying a fine spring for the second straight year, giving Phillies brass a lot to ponder.
He’s currently blocked by Cesar Hernandez at 2B, but they seem intent on clearing a path somewhere, as they’re giving him some reps around the diamond. He could conceivably play any infield position right now, and with Maikel Franco seemingly on his last life in Philly it’s not out of the question he could take over at the hot corner in the near future. All reports from Philadelphia suggest Kingery is a star in the making. Get on the hype train now before it leaves the station.
Ian Happ, Cubs
Let’s get the bad out of the way first: Ian Happ strikes out a LOT. He hovered around 22% in his minor league career - certainly a manageable rate - prior to making his MLB debut in 2017, where he fanned 31.2% of the time. It’s tough to do a lot of damage at that clip, but Happ still found a way to launch 24 HR and hit a respectable .253 in 364 AB in his first go-around at the big league level.
His .514 slugging percentage was eighth among MLB rookies and his average exit velocity increased towards the end of the season. His barrels per batted ball event (Brls/BBE) ranked tied for 27th in baseball with...Mike Trout. He hits the ball hard and he generally hits it in the air (20.1% line drives and 39.7% fly balls), two ingredients that help produce the long ball. Happ’s 9.4% walk rate was also strong for a first-year player.
Like Moncada, there’s speculation that Happ could be used atop a talented Cubs lineup. Hitting in front of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Willson Contreras and company would be a boon for his runs scored, and his positional versatility - he logged time at 2B, 3B and all three OF positions last season - means lots of playing time opportunities. What’s more, the switch-hitting Happ’s platoon splits weren't overly egregious: he posted a .863 OPS versus righties and a .789 OPS against lefties. Keep a close eye on him during the last few weeks of the spring and be ready to pounce at the draft table.
