Justin Mason’s Second Base Ranks: 1/17/2023

Thoughts on Tier 1

I have Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien both at the exact same in terms of dollar values, which means I am more likely to draft Altuve who is going one round later and is coming off of a season in which he finally started stealing again. I think he clearly has the greater upside in the Astros lineup and while Semien is a fantastic accumulator, Semien needs that volume to keep his value. 

I love Albies and think he will rebound, but there is a question of where he hits in the lineup and if he can stay on the field a year after an almost completely lost season to injury. I honestly thought we would get a bigger discount and we still might as starting pitching and closers tend to rise as we move into March. 

Thoughts on Tier 2

I like Edman as a speed source that isn’t zero in either power or average. I do have a concern that the Cardinals lineup is so good that he ends up moving down the lineup which would take him from a premium runs guy to an average one, but because the Cardinals lineup is among the best in baseball, it wouldn’t kill his value. 

I think we likely saw the best season from a power and average standpoint from Gimenez. That being said, I do think he can add to his stolen base totals and he should get more plate appearances since he is entering the season without any playing time question marks this season. 

I love Jazz Chisholm as a player. If this was a video game, I would turn off injuries and he would likely be the #1 player at the position. However, he has yet to play 125 games in a season at the Majors and is coming off a season where he only played 60 games. Now, even in small samples, he can be a monster in spite of a bad approach. High risk/high reward player that in shallow formats should be pushed up the ranks and in deeper formats should be pushed down. 

Thoughts on Tier 3

Both India and Lowe are coming off injury ruined seasons but early reports are good on them and I am willing to buy back on them considering their price right now. 

Estrada is currently projected to lead off and looks like he might be one of the few Giants players that won’t platoon much. He is dual eligible and has speed and enough power to not hurt you. 

Torres feels like a pretty safe bet to repeat his numbers from 2022, but I just wish he ran more or made better contact which prevents him from moving up the list. 

Thoughts on Tier 4

Muncy could easily be in Tier 3, but I got a little conservative on his projection because of his injury risk and how bad the bottom of that Dodgers’ lineup has become. From August on, he was the Max Muncy of old and I am hopeful he will be that for a full season in 2023 if the health is there. 

I am a real big fan of Lux this season. I think this is finally the year he grows into the power/speed he was projected for and should be a regular in the middle of the lineup. 

Stott struggled in his first cup of coffee at the Majors, but he was a completely different player in the second half which makes me more hopeful that he can be a viable fantasy asset. He should play every day with Segura gone. 

McNeil is a good player for what he does, but I would rather look for the next Jeff McNeil than pay for last year’s production. 

Are people sleeping on DJ LeMahieu again? Triple eligible and should bat pretty high in the great Yankees lineup.

Thoughts on Tier 5

I love Rojas, but there are real questions about playing time because of his defense. I still think he plays more than other people do. 

Brendan Donovan gets a bump up in OBP formats and should bat high in a great Cardinals lineup, but there just isn’t enough power or speed in the profile. 

I want Vaughn Grissom to be a thing so bad, but he is likely hitting ninth and there are serious questions about his defense which is a problem if he is expected to play shortstop. 

Garcia, Urias and Rengifo were not all put together because they all have the same first name, I promise. Urias traded his high contact approach for some power, but I kind of wish he hadn’t. His extra eligibility definitely helps though. I believe in Luis Garcia as a player, but the upside is pretty limited. Rengifo has the best upside especially if he ends up leading off for the Angels. 

Thoughts on the Rest

I want Marte to rebound, but at this point, I just do not trust him to stay on the field. He could make me look silly, but I just can’t trust him until he shows health. 

Christopher Morel showed power and speed and some of the worst contact skills I have ever seen. Of players with at least 400 plate appearances, he had the third worst zone contact and sixth worst swinging strike rate. I know some will chalk it up to rookie struggles, but that isn’t a Major League player if it continues. 

Whit Merrifield has been a fantasy stud until last season, but once he got to Toronto, he stopped running (1-for-3) and hit at the bottom of the lineup. I think his time is over. 

Jon Berti won people’s fantasy leagues in 2022 with his stolen bases, but I want to find the next Jon Berti not pay for last seasons. 

Trevor Story is off my board until we have a clear timeline on his return as there is a chance he doesn’t play at all in 2023. 

Nolan Gorman needs a trade to find enough playing time to become a fantasy asset unfortunately. 

Kolton Wong’s move to Seattle is great for their pitchers, but not great for his own fantasy value. 

If Isaac Paredes played almost anywhere other than Tampa Bay, he could be really interesting, but he is destined to platoon and fill in for the Rays.