Ottoneu Top 50 Middle Infielders for 2020
Using a format similar to the one Paul Sporer recently posted (2B, SS) for 2020 Roto player rankings, below is the 2020 ranking of the Top 50 Middle Infielders for Ottoneu fantasy baseball. Ottoneu leagues are auction style, but with no salaries listed (league dependent), think of these lists as simplified “snake draft” rankings (“which player would I take before the next”), or a value ranking of players above replacement level for 2020. Players with multi-position eligibility may receive a slight bump in value (2020 positions listed). You can reference average Ottoneu player salaries here, but keep in mind these salaries fluctuate throughout the winter as rosters shape up towards the January 31st keeper deadline for all leagues.
Previous 2020 Ottoneu rankings:
Since a majority of Ottoneu leagues are points leagues (offense based on linear weights), you’ll notice speed is less of a factor here than traditional rotisserie rankings. Even if you don’t play Ottoneu, this list might be a good proxy for OBP, OPS, or sabermetric leagues, so keep that context in mind as you review.
You can read 2B and SS rankings separately, but because Ottoneu owners will start three middle infielders per team and carry at least another two or three on their 40 man roster, it is helpful to view these groups together.
| RK | Name | 2020 POS | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Bregman | SS/3B | A perennial MVP candidate entering age 26; .315/.446/.663/1.1.09 line away from HOU |
| 2 | Xander Bogaerts | SS | Steady skills growth could lead to a true age 27 MVP breakout |
| 3 | Trevor Story | SS | About as consistent as they come, and #1 candidate for Roto formats |
| 4 | Ketel Marte | 2B/SS/OF | BABIP will regress but xwOBA supports significant skills growth will remain |
| 5 | Francisco Lindor | SS | Low risk despite trade rumors; xStats suggest he’s a clear tier below those above him |
| 6 | Jose Altuve | 2B | Career-low zone contact % (86.9%) offset by hitting the ball harder than ever |
| 7 | Carlos Correa | SS | Health is now the issue but skills exist for best overall at SS |
| 8 | Gleyber Torres | 2B/SS | At just 23 years old, there is likely another gear or two coming |
| 9 | Max Muncy | 1B/2B/3B | 35 home runs makes him valuable in three key spots for 2020 |
| 10 | Trea Turner | SS | Finger injury should be well behind him come April |
| 11 | Ozzie Albies | 2B | Majority of power appears vs. LHP (.295 ISO vs. .177 vs. RHP), but young enough to balance out the splits |
| 12 | Fernando Tatis Jr. | SS | What goes up (BABIP) must come down, but sky is still the limit long term |
| 13 | Manny Machado | SS/3B | Exit velocity still in elite range; Steamer .861 OPS feels like a balanced expectation |
| 14 | DJ LeMahieu | 1B/2B/3B | .349 BABIP hard to repeat but NYY, 20+ HR, and xwOBA make him a mainstay solution |
| 15 | Keston Hiura | 2B | 60/60 Hit/Power tools and history of solid adjustments could push him well up this list by end of 2020 |
| 16 | Marcus Semien | SS | 2019 was a career season, but xwOBA suggests there’s a new, solid floor |
| 17 | Mike Moustakas | 2B/3B | Steamer’s projected .340 wOBA and 35 HR seems just about right |
| 18 | Jeff McNeil | 2B/3B/OF | Hit 20 of 23 HR vs. RHP; expect shift adjustments in 2020 that could impact power output |
| 19 | Javier Baez | SS | Approach and streakiness will continue to limit possibility of true breakout |
| 20 | Bo Bichette | SS | Should be a doubles machine with sneaky 20+ HR power, maybe more |
| 21 | Corey Seager | SS | Will play at just 26 years old and polling as a nice rebound value at this spot |
| 22 | Jorge Polanco | SS | Well below average Hard Hit % should push expectations towards his 2019 2nd half (~.800 OPS) |
| 23 | Whit Merrifield | 2B/OF | Near lock for 700+ PA’s and OPS around .800; speed may continue slowing now entering 30’s |
| 24 | Didi Gregorius | SS | New fit in Philly should keep him a 20 HR threat as final option in this tier |
| 25 | Tim Anderson | SS | With .399 BABIP and 2.9% BB%, regression will be painful |
| 26 | Paul DeJong | SS | With significant pressure on the hit tool, the floor here is lower than appeared a just year ago |
| 27 | Brandon Lowe | 1B/2B/OF | MiLB stats provide home for strong OBP floor; one of just five 2B with xSLG above .500 in 2019 |
| 28 | Eduardo Escobar | 2B/3B | Don’t expect another 35 HR, but he’s averaged an .825 OPS over the past two seasons |
| 29 | Luis Arraez | 2B/3B/OF | Age 22 MLB BB/K rate of 1.24 makes him a high floor sleeper if any power develops |
| 30 | Cavan Biggio | 2B/OF | Elite approach, launch angle, and zone awareness make him a candidate for power improvement |
| 31 | Howie Kendrick | 1B/2B/3B | His 2019 age 35 xwOBA (.419) ranked 4th in MLB behind Trout, Bellinger, and Yelich |
| 32 | Tommy La Stella | 2B/3B | With power development now looks like a safe bet for .800+ OPS, with most damage vs. RHP |
| 33 | Gavin Lux | 2B/SS | Elite prospect tools that should play up even if moved out of LAD |
| 34 | Nick Solak | 2B/3B/OF | Excellent small sample debut (.375 wOBA in 33 games) bodes well for above average production |
| 35 | Lourdes Gurriel Jr. | 2B/OF | Likely to be streaky, but stats should add up to a starting 2B in 12+ team leagues |
| 36 | Amed Rosario | SS | Age 24 SS showed quiet growth in 2nd half that could take another step |
| 37 | Ian Happ | 2B/3B/OF | Still just 25, but he hits the ball hard (.526 xSLG) and just needs the playing time in CHC to jump |
| 38 | Kolten Wong | 2B | Big 2nd half (.342/.409/.487) could indicate a new, above average gear coming in 2020 |
| 39 | Tommy Edman | 2B/3B/OF | A professional young hitter that could surprise, expect an OPS around .800, maybe more |
| 40 | Jean Segura | SS | Kind of the epitome of your league average SS at this point |
| 41 | Carter Kieboom | 2B/SS | Prospect pedigree and likelihood of finding time should make Kieboom pretty close to a starting MI |
| 42 | Jonathan Villar | 2B/SS | Will benefit from long leash in MIA, but this is a speed game better built for Roto leagues |
| 43 | Asdrubal Cabrera | 2B/3B | Currently unsigned but he can still hit and should land somewhere with at least platoon value |
| 44 | Willy Adames | SS | Rays always have a few unheralded breakouts, so keep Adames on your radar since MiLB stats were solid |
| 45 | Ryan McMahon | 1B/2B/3B | Quietly launched 24 HR last year, could approach .800 OPS with a little luck + opportunity |
| 46 | Robinson Cano | 2B | Will play at age 37 but just one full season removed from .845 OPS over 80 games (2018) |
| 47 | Luis Urias | 2B/SS | There is pedigree here now to combine with a great MIL ballpark, so Urias could be a riser |
| 48 | Jurickson Profar | 2B/OF | Former #1 overall prospect now in SD and will need to hit well to fulfill full time role |
| 49 | Dansby Swanson | SS | Injured his foot in late July and was horrible afterward; Statcast is more optimistic than Steamer |
| 50 | Danny Santana | 1B/2B/SS/3B/OF | .352 wOBA and 28 HR out of nowhere, but he plays so many positions you have to give him a bench spot |
Trey is a 20+ year fantasy veteran and an early adopter of Ottoneu fantasy sports. He currently administers the Ottoneu community, a network of ~1,200 fantasy baseball and football fans talking sports daily. More resources here: http://community.ottoneu.com
Whit Merrifield said the reason for the drop off in stolen bases was the Royals were not in contention, so why increase the risk of injury. Expect more stolen bases early, and less late, again.