MLB’s top players at every position: Second Base
We’ll stop at second base as we work our way around the infield for this series. We’re going to look at the top 10 players at second base in 2022, let’s go.
1. Jeff McNeil, New York Mets
McNeil has always been one of those pesky hitters who can’t stop getting on base. 2022 was no different for him, as he won the batting title with a league-leading .326 batting average. It was his fourth .300 season in five years, as he also struck out only 61 times. While he played multiple positions, McNeil still collected seven defensive runs saved this season. Despite a Mets team that was disappointing, they had lots of successful years out of players such as McNeil.
2. Andrés Giménez, Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians had the youngest team in baseball in 2022, and they were loaded with talent. Giménez is no exception, being 23 years old and earning his first All-Star selection. He finished the year batting .297/.371/.466 with 17 homers, 26 doubles, and 20 stolen bases. Giménez also had a whopping 7.2 WAR in 146 games this season. The Guardians got themselves a very talented second baseman of the future.
3. Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
It’s a bit surprising to learn Altuve has already been in the league for 12 years. While his age is slowly rising, he isn’t showing it in his production. The eight-time All-Star batted exactly .300 on the year with 28 home runs and 39 doubles. Altuve still produced a 5.1 WAR, and even for being on the 106-win Astros, Altuve went under the radar. Nevertheless, Altuve continued his consistency with a great 2022 season.
4. Tommy Edman, St. Louis Cardinals
Guys like Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt deservedly had the spotlight for the Cardinals. But Edman should still be under that spotlight, having the best season of his career. He batted .265/.324/.400 with 31 doubles and four triples in 153 games. Like McNeil, Edman can play anywhere. He played second, short, third, and left and right field this season. His career-high 6.3 WAR reflected that versatility, and he’s definitely an underrated piece in the Cardinals lineup.
5. Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees
Torres hasn’t exactly lived up to the hype since he debuted. Surprisingly enough, Torres actually had a career year in 2022. His 4.1 WAR was the best of his career, along with 28 doubles. Overall, he batted .257 but hit 24 home runs and 76 RBIs. For the first time since his rookie season, he was in the positives for defensive runs saved with nine. He’s still only 25, so he has time to regain that potential he showed his rookie year.
6. Jake Cronenworth, San Diego Padres
The Crone Zone put up another good season in 2022. The two-time All-Star saw a spike in strikeouts but was still able to produce a 113 OPS+ with 31 doubles and 17 home runs. Despite the 131 strikeouts, Cronenworth also saw a spike in walks he was drawing, being able to balance out those strikeouts a little bit. It wasn’t an insane year, but his 4.1 WAR was still impressive.
7. Kolten Wong, Milwaukee Brewers
Perhaps the most surprising player on this list, Wong put up a good offensive year. Mainly known for his elite defense in which he’s won two Gold Gloves and has racked up 55 defensive runs saved at second in his career, he hit a career-high in homers with 15 and stole 17 bases in 134 games in 2022. Wong was batting near .300 for the second half and posted a 188 OPS+ overall.
8. Marcus Semien, Texas Rangers
After Semien had a historic year in 2021, the Rangers were hoping to get that same production this year. It wasn’t a repeat, but Semien still provided a strong 2022 season in his first year in a Ranger uniform. He played in 161 games this year, belting 26 home runs and 83 RBIs. He did have a career-high in stolen bases with 25 and is looking to win his second consecutive Gold Glove. A shortstop at heart, Semien has had no issue playing second and will remain a top-10 second baseman.
9. Brendan Rodgers, Colorado Rockies
There aren’t many bright spots on this Rockies team. There are still a few, and Rodgers is one of them. Rodgers has been playing pretty consistently, and about doubled his career-high in WAR with a 4.4 this season. He batted .266/.325/.408 with 13 homers and 30 doubles. He was just announced as a Gold Glove finalist for 2022, and Rodgers has just been that all-around player the Rockies have been missing since Arenado.
10. Gavin Lux, Los Angeles Dodgers
Lux hasn’t exactly found his groove yet with the Dodgers. It wasn’t a standout year for Lux, but it was the best of his young career. He led the league in triples with seven and had an OPS+ over 100 for the first time with 105. Lux batted .276, hit six homers, and put up a 2.5 WAR in 129 games. He’s only 24, and if someone like Trea Turner leaves in the offseason, Lux could have a chance to grow into his potential.
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