Ketel Marte has been the best second baseman over the past two seasons, and it hasn’t been particularly close either. Since the start of 2024, his 149 wRC+ is 29 points higher than the next second baseman. He leads all qualified players at the position in HRs, runs, RBI, and batting average in that time as well. 2025 also saw him post the best barrel rate (13.5%) and maxEV (119.6) of his career. He gets drafted after Jazz in nearly every room which doesn’t make a ton of sense to me

Jazz Chisholm Jr. had the most complete fantasy season of his career in 2025, reaching the 30-30 plateau for the first time in his career despite missing 32 games. Durability has been a bit of a question in his career, but he has played in 77% of possible games since the start of 2024. His strikeout rate will likely keep the batting average in the .240/.250 range, but you can live with that considering the categorical output and the positional versatility you get.

Brice Turang made some excellent strides with his power output in 2025. He raised his barrel rate from 2.4% to 7.9%, and his hard hit rate went from 29.7% to 47.4%. Those are massive gains to make over the course of a single season, especially since Turang didn’t sacrifice any of his bat-to-ball skills and still achieved a .288 batting average. He represents a bit of a no-mans land after the first two names and before the next batch by ADP, and it’s justified in my eyes. He is very easily the #3 second baseman heading into 2026.

Nico Hoerner quietly had a fantastic 2025 season, something that didn’t seem guaranteed last offseason after he underwent shoulder surgery. At this point, we have an established baseline expectation of the production Hoerner brings: single-digit HRs with ~ 90 runs, 30 SBs, and a batting average that will be close to .300. He’s a great draft pick as long as you compensate for the lack of power you’ll be getting.

Jose Altuve has his doubters every year, and he always ends up producing anyway. Even at 35 years of age, he managed to hit 26 HRs while providing solid coverage across the other categories. He may not be the super elite target that he once was, but I’m not willing to count him out until we see the bottom really fall out from under, and we didn’t really get any string indications that he will be hitting that cliff in the immediate future. Now, we also get the added benefit of outfield eligibility.

Maikel Garcia had the breakout season in 2025 that many were expecting a year earlier. He was a true five category asset and also cut down on his strikeout rate while improving his launch angle and barrel rate. Those playing on Yahoo or sites with lighter eligibility thresholds will get a goldmine utility player that they can stick just about anywhere in their lineup

Is this ranking of Ozzie Albies an indication that I believe he will bounce back, or is the position simply so bad that even a guy who was arguably droppable last year is entering the year as a Top 10 option? Well, yes on both fronts. We have seen several elite fantasy seasons from Ozzie Albies and I find it very hard to believe that all of the magic is just gone before he even turns 30. The Braves are positioned to be one of the better lineups in baseball (stop me if you’ve heard that one before) and Albies will be afforded the opportunity to play every single day. I’d personally be very surprised if we don’t see him turn things around in a big way in 2026.

What will Brandon Lowe look like in Pittsburgh? Well, I think fairly similar to what we’ve seen in Tampa. The initial instinct will be to think that Lowe is getting a park upgrade considering that the Rays are going back to Tropicana Field, but PNC park isn’t all that great for left-handed power hitters either. Over the past three years, PNC park ranks 25th in HR factor for LHH, and it was actually dead last in 2025, coming in more than 30% worse than league average. At the end of the day, Lowe is powerful enough to mostly compensate for that, but he may end up losing a few dingers. We also have to worry about his durability, as he’s never played 150 games in a season and the closest he came was 149 way back in 2021.

Jorge Polanco was terrific in 2025, especially considering he was hitting in one of the worst parks in the league. Across 138 games, he hit 26 HRs with a .265 average and a 132 wRC+. Now he’ll be in New York hitting right behind Juan Soto and should thrive in a better ballpark and RBI spot. He is one of the more mis-priced players on the board in early drafts, he should be going at least 75 picks earlier on average.

2025 was a horrific season for Matt McLain that saw him lose time as the Reds’ everyday second baseman. He still managed 15 HRs and 18 SBs, but it came with just 50 RBI and a .220 batting average over nearly 600 plate appearances. His hard hit metrics plummeted throughout the course of the season and he finished with a 77 wRC+. I still mostly believe in his talent, especially while hitting in that park, but we may have to adjust our expectations down a bit from what we thought he could achieve following his incredible rookie year in 2023. He may be able to reach those heights again, but it would be wiser to expect something in the 20-20 neighborhood and he pleasantly surprised if he is able to surpass that.

Ceddanne Rafaela fits more into the “accumulator” category as opposed to someone who will give you elite per-game production. He is arguably the best defensive center fielder in all of baseball so playing time will never be in jeopardy. However, he has an exceptionally high chase rate and SwStr%, which have been big reasons why his OBP has never exceeded .295. He’ll probably provide something close to a 20-20 season, just be prepared for it to come with a .240 batting average and potentially underwhelming counting stats.

Many are exciting at the prospect of drafting Luke Keaschall, but I think he may be a bit overpriced in early draft rooms. While I think he can hit for a strong batting average and likely provide ~25 SBs, I worry about the power potential and what his counting stats will look like in a rebuilding Twins’ lineup. He had just a 5.2% barrel rate and 31.2% hard hit rate as a rookie. Combined with his 46% ground ball rate, that translated to just four homers in 49 games. He’s a better target for OBP and point league players than he is for standard categories and roto formats.

I’m very intrugued by Marcus Semien as a New York Met. It’s very likely that he will be sandwiched between Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto in that lineup, which would provide Semien with a massive opportunity to provide runs and RBI. While he did miss some time in 2025, Semien has built his career around being a guy who plays 162. Even if he can’t quite play every game in 2026, I can easily see a world where he suits up 150 times, and even with a degrading skillset, ~150 games in that lineup spot could mean he comes close to 100 runs and RBI. He’s priced as a bench piece who could very easily become a cornerstone of your lineup.

I am expecting Jackson Holliday to take a big step forward in 2026 now that he’s had close to 900 plate appearances to get acclimated to big league pitching. He’s been mostly disappointing to this point but hasn’t really been overmatched by big league pitching either. He’s has an 8.3 BB% and 24.4 K% with relatively solid plate discipline metrics, especially considering he just turned 22 in early December. He’s expected to lead off for the Orioles, at least against RHPs, and we could see a monster season from Holiday if he is able to lift the ball just a bit more than what we’ve seen to this point. 2/11 Update: Holliday will miss opening day with a broken hamate bone and that does concern me with regards to his power for the rest of the season. This feels like a situation that the Orioles will approach carefully as opposed to rushing him back, so we cold end up looiking at a mised month (or more) with potentially diminished skills in the immediate aftermath.

Xavier Edwards did just about exactly what we thought he would in 2025. A very marginal power output that was accompanied by 27 steals and a .283 batting average, and that is about what we should expect again. He’s a phenomenal contact hitter and could compete for the batting title in a given year. In a lot of ways, he’s a poor man’s Nico Hoerner. You can expect relatively similar production from Edwards with a lower floor in most categories, but if you miss out on Hoerner and want to shore up your speed/BA categories, Edwards is a solid option in what has become a very interesting offence in Miami.

Gleyber Torres is back in Detroit following a very solid first year with the team in 2025. However, it was a tale of two season for Gleyber. He slashed .281/.387/.425 in the first half with a 131 wRC+. In the second half, he slashed .223/.320/.339 with an 88 wRC+. This will probably keep people away and is likely why his ADP has been around 250 all draft season, but I’m not overly concerned about the splits. Torres is still only 29 and he represents a very high floor at a terrible position. He’s a solid fall back option as a starter in deeper leagues, a very good MI candidate, and could function as a bench asset in shallower leagues

While his 2026 home is still undetermined with trade rumors flying all around, Brendan Donovan should be counted on as a solid asset wherever he lands. Across four seasons and nearly 500 major league games, Donovan has a 119 wRC+ with a .282/.361/.411 slash line. For fantasy purposes, he’s a great option to throw in when you know he’ll be facing a lot of RHPs, but he is a bit limited overall considering the lack of power and speed. He’s a great batting average asset and you could get away with starting him in your MI spot, but I’d prefer if he wasn’t in the starting 2B spot if possible due to the lack of categorical juice. 2/11 Update: A trade to the Mariners should actually help his value despite a ballparl downgrade. We were never relying on donovan for power to begin wth and now he is projected to lead off for a very, very good mariners lineup. He’s a very strong target in all formats.

While there has been some fluctuation in his year-to-year output, we have a pretty solid baseline when it comes to Bryson Stott. He plays nearly every day in a solid lineup and is a great speed threat if you went power-heavy early in your draft. He goes around pick 200 in most drafts, which is more than reasonable considering what he’s done to this point in his career. It’s also about the lowest he’s gone since he became a household fantasy name in 2023.

Luis Garcia Jr. wasn’t quite what we were hoping for in 2025, but it was necessarily a bad campaign either. He went 16-14 while providing decent counting stats and a .252 batting average, but it does look like he is capable of more than that. He showcased a career high 9% barrel rate and 46% hard hit rate and also cut down on the ground balls for the third consecutive season. He’s a nice option for those looking to punt the position in deeper formats and go bargain bin hunting, as I’d still feel comfortable with him as my starting 2B in a 15 team league.

Brett Baty was surprisingly really good in 2025, but it mostly flew under the radar. He hit 18 HRs with a .254 average and a 111 wRC+, and really thrived in the second half with an .829 OPS and 135 wRC+. He’ll likely enter 2026 as the Mets’ everyday third baseman and will be given the opportunity to play everyday. With an ADP in the 260s and qualifying at two of the worst positions in fantasy, he’s looking like a great late pick

Talent has never been the question when it comes to Jordan Westburg, it’s just been a matter of staying on the field. The positive news is that he did finish the season healthy and the Orioles’ lineup looks as good as it ever has in this era of Baltimore baseball. We are projecting him to hit 2nd in the O’s lineup and should that stick, he’ll find himself in a very opportune spot for run production. 2/11 Update: Westburg is already dealing with a sore oblique and given his track record of health (or lack theirof), he has to move down a touch until we have a clearer picture from the Orioles

2025 was Lenyn Sosa’s first full major league season, and he delivered with 22 HRs, 75 RBIs, and a .264 batting average. He displayed an impressive 10.4% barrel rate with very strong contact rates as well. After some offseason moves, he is now projected to serve in a branch role for the White Sox but I don’t see that as being very likely. This isn’t a team that is good enough to leave Sosa on the bench with any regularity, even given his defensive shortcomings. I expect him to see time at first, second, and third base throughout the season with DH reps mixed in as well. He is being drafted beyond the Top 300 picks in NFBC drafts, and I think he has become a value.

While he is not the most exciting player to draft, Jose Caballero will fit a lot of builds in 2026 due to his elite speed. Since the start of 2024, his 93 stolen bases trail only Elly De La Cruz and he led the majors in 2025 with 49. Caballero was initially projected to serve in more of a utility role for the Yankees, but Anthony Volpe’s injury means that more playing time has opened up for him at shortstop to begin the season. He is a traditional fantasy “rabbit” that will likely only assist you in one category, but there is value in that for speed deficient teams given his mid-200s ADP

Colt Keith has some fairly strong underlying skills, and is a target in particular when it comes to OBP formats. Over 137 games last year, he slashed .256/.333/.413 with 13 HRs and a 9.2% barrel rate. He also is a very good contact hitter who doesn’t chase a lot of pitches. RosterResource is also projecting him to lead off for the Tigers which should add to his fairly pedestrian run total from a year ago. An added bonus is that he has eligibility all over the field and will be easy to squeeze into your lineups.

Jeff McNeil feels like a very good fit in the Athletics’ lineup. On a team full of young players, McNeil is the only bat besides Brent Rooker in the lineup who is over 30 years old and should provide a stable veteran presence. We could see a few more home runs than usual given the very favourable home park that the A’s will be playing in again, and we’ve seen the batting average upside throughout his entire career. McNeil will likely be in the middle of the order somewhere but don’t be surprised to see him get some top-of-the-order reps as well. He’s a great but right now.

I believe we have reached the point where Luis Arraez has become undervalued. While he doesn’t possess a well rounded fantasy skillset, he has the ability to win a batting title and even in a poor 2025, he still hit .292. He has at least 600 plate appearances in every season going back to 2022 and his batting average with that volume is incredibly valuable. As the leadoff hitter for the Giants we can expect a solid run total to go along with his usual chip in homers and steals. His ADP is usually around the 280 range, and it feels like the market has soured on him a bit too much this year.

After a poor 2025, Willi Castro seems like a strong bounceback candidate in 2026 as he heads to Colorado. We’ve seen solid fantasy seasons from him in the past and in a very hitter friendly environment where he should play everyday, Castro could return something like 15 HRs and 30 SBs as long as he stays healthy. Initially not someone I had a ton of interest in, I now see Castro as a pretty viable sleeper at a very dark position. As a bonus, you can also use him at third and in the outfield, two other very scarce positions in 2026

Otto Lopez had a very serviceable fantasy season in 2025, putting up a 15/15 season with 77 runs and a .246 batting average. The issue is that it took him nearly 600 plate appearances to do so and he doesn’t have a strong offensive skillset when you look beneath the hood. While he is a strong contact hitter, most projections see him as a ~.260 bat with very limited power. He’s also projected to be the #6 hitter in the Marlins lineup which is far from ideal for fantasy counting stats. He’s not necessarily a fade, but not really a target unless I am desperate for a middle infielder.

Ernie Clement had a strong 2025 season and went on a legendary run in the postseason, but he doesn’t have a very strong fantasy skillset. In 157 games and 588 plate appearances, he managed just nine homers and six steals while driving in 50. His .277 batting average and 83 runs scored were nice, but the main appeal here is his multi position eligibility and being able to plug him in when one of your starters is injured or sitting. If he is in your starting lineup with regularity, you will inevitably start to fall behind with power and speed.

Chase Meidroth had a very impressive rookie debut in 2025. He played a very strong second base and shortstop while also showing a lot of promise at the dish. His contact ability is already some of the best in baseball, evidenced by his 21.9% O-Swing, 91.6% Z-Contact, and 4.3 SwStr%. His power will likely be non-existent given his 1.6% barrel rate and 53.3% groundball rate, but he will likely give you ~15 SB with a strong batting average as an everyday player. There is some value here but he really is best suited deeper league players.

Kody Clemens has a similar story to Lenyn Sosa. They both played their first full season in 2025, had success for a re-building team, and are now projected as bench pieces. As with Sosa, I think this will not end up being the case with Clemens. He hit 19 HR in just 386 plate appearances, anchored by a 12% barrel rate and 48.3% hard hit rate. His power is also combined with solid contact and low chase rates. He’s a strong defender at first and second base, and I can see him functioning in a utility role that sees him playing ~5 times per week. He’s an afterthought in drafts with his 392 ADP. I’d be buying the dip where possible, especially in NFBC Draft Champions formats.

Brooks Lee has a fairly average profile overall. His power and contact rates are fairly average and he’s not a standout defender anywhere on the field. However, as the Twins continue to rebuild, Lee should stand to see 500+ plate appearances again in 2026. After 189 games played and more than 700 major league plate appearances with a 75 wRC+, it’s fair to question what Lee will turn into, but he’s being drafted outside of the Top 300 picks and brings 2B/3B/SS eligibility to the table. He’s a decent dart throw but keep expectations in check.

Playing for the Dodgers can be a huge boon to your fantasy value, and that’s why Tommy Edman comes in as high as he does on this list. In just 97 games, he managed 49 runs and 49 RBI, even with a career worst 81 wRC+. Edman is still just 30 and I’d expect him to start stealing again now that the ankle issues are in the rearview mirror. The upside here is a Top 7-10 option at the position if he is able to stay healthy. That’s a big if with Edman, but he’s priced to buy with an ADP beyond 300. 2/11 Update: Edman will miss the start of the season as he continues to recover from anle surgery. I’d still be willing to draft him if he falls quite dramatically in drafts, but it would have to be a substabtual discount given his track record over the past couple of years.

Kristian Campbell was a bit of a disaster in 2025. He looked great in April before faltering and being sent down to AAA where he spent the remainder of the year. The Red Sox have said that he’ll be primarily in the outfield this season and he’ll have a chance to earn a job out of spring training. We should be encouraged by the fact that Boston has already paid him, as it shows their confidence in the 23-year-old and also incentivizes them to play him. He’s not a specific target outside of deep formats, but there is a world where he breaks camp with the team and hits his way into the lineup on a regular basis.

Jonathan India was a total disaster last season. He failed to reach double digit homers and did not successfully steal one base. I’m encouraged by the fact that much of his profile remained the same from his time in Cincinnati and he will still have a regular role for the Royals in 2026. With an ADP of 370 and eligibility at 2B/3B/OF, India is a solid bounceback candidate on what should be an improved team.

At this stage of his career, we know exactly who Jake Cronenworth is. He’s going to hit 10-15 HRs, steal a handful of bases,and hit somewhere in the .230/.240 range. Considering he does after pick 400 in most drafts, that production is fine, but he doesn’t stand out in any category and will likely be hitting in the bottom third of the Padres’ order which will limit his counting stats.

Christian Moore struggled during his first cup of major league coffee in 2025, slashing .198/.284/.370 in 53 games. However, I find it encouraging that even with his struggles, he hit seven home runs in just 184 plate appearances. He has a very long way to go as a hitter but the Angels should give him a lot of rope as an everyday player considering the state of their team. Another player who is best suited for deep mixed/AL Only leagues.

Andres Gimenez has been steadily declining offensively ever since his breakout 2022 season. He hasn’t even been a league average bat in any year since and in 2026, he will be transitioning from second base to shortstop. I can see him stealing ~20 bases but that’s about it when it comes to his fantasy value. No power from a bottom of the order bat who can’t hit for avagere either is a recipe for fantasy disaster without drastic changes to his hitting profile.

An offseason trade has landed Gavin Lux with the Rays, where we are currently projecting him as the leadoff hitter on the strong side of the second base platoon. He was a serviceable bat in 2025, hitting .269 with a 102 wRC+ as a member of the Reds. While he’s not a massive target for me, getting a leadoff hitter (even a part-time one) behind pick 450 feels like a very safe investment to make

Hyeseong Kim didn’t really have the role many were expecting he would entering the 2025 season. He ended up with just 171 plate appearances and while he did hit three home runs and steal 13 bases while hitting .280, there wasn’t much fantasy managers could do besides hope he would get in the lineup more. The Tommy Edman injury has opened an opportunity for Kim to start the season as the everyday second baseman and potentially earn himself a full time role. His recent ADP is 486 and even with concerns about his plate skills and playing time, that’s more than a fair price to pay for a player who could wind up as a regular contributor to the best lineup in baseball.