Buster Olney’s 2026 MLB Positional Rankings: Second Basemen

As spring training camps begin, ESPN’s Buster Olney has released his annual rankings of the top 10 players at each position, surveying industry experts to compile his list. This installment focuses on second basemen, evaluating players based on their projected performance for the 2026 season, not long-term potential.

The Landscape of Second Base in 2026

The second base position features a mix of established stars and emerging talents. Jazz Chisholm Jr., now with the Recent York Yankees, is poised to be a key free agent in the coming offseason, with his performance this season potentially determining the size of his next contract.

Top 10 Second Basemen for 2026

1. Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks: Marte has consistently provided value, accumulating approximately 15 fWAR (FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement) over the past three seasons despite a recent incident where he left the team after a home robbery. He boasts a .145 OPS+ in 126 games. He remains the preeminent player at the position.
2. Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs: Hoerner led all second basemen in fWAR last season, excelling defensively with his second Gold Glove Award. He also demonstrated strong offensive skills, scoring 89 runs in 156 games and stealing 29 bases. His .297 batting average and low 7.6% strikeout rate highlight his consistency.
3. Jazz Chisholm Jr., New York Yankees: A 30-30 player last season (31 home runs and 31 stolen bases), Chisholm possesses immense talent. Evaluators believe he could hit 40 home runs in a season, citing his exceptional wrist strength. Although, consistency remains a concern, with fluctuating performance throughout the 2025 season. His home/road splits are notable: .277/.364/.528 at Yankee Stadium versus .207/.299/.432 elsewhere.
4. Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers: Turang emerged as a breakout star in 2025, earning down-ballot MVP consideration. He scored 97 runs in 156 games with a 121 OPS+, and continues to improve his power production, hitting 18 home runs and stealing 24 bases.
5. Brendan Donovan, Seattle Mariners: Donovan’s versatility allows him to potentially play third base or the outfield, but he is expected to see significant time at second base. He consistently gets on base and creates scoring opportunities, with a 119 OPS+ and a .315 batting average against right-handed pitching.
6. Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers: Torres’s acceptance of a one-year qualifying offer suggests he recognizes the need for a strong offensive performance to secure a multiyear contract. He has improved his plate discipline, accumulating 136 hits and 85 walks last season although reducing his strikeout rate.
7. Xavier Edwards, Miami Marlins: The shift to second base benefited Edwards, who recorded 12 defensive runs saved and nine outs above average in 96 games. He accumulated 159 hits and 49 walks in 139 games, posting a .343 on-base percentage.
8. Marcus Semien, New York Mets: Semien remains a strong defender and is part of the Mets’ effort to improve run prevention. However, his offensive production has declined in recent seasons (126 OPS+ in 2023, 103 in 2024, and 97 in 2025).
9. Bryson Stott, Philadelphia Phillies: Stott provides power and speed (24 stolen bases in 2025), but struggled against left-handed pitching, hitting .225 with a .575 slugging percentage in 123 plate appearances.
10. Ernie Clement, Toronto Blue Jays: Clement earned a spot on this list due to his strong performance in the 2025 postseason, batting .411 over 18 games. He excelled at second base, with 10 defensive runs saved in 423 innings.

Honorable Mentions

• Jose Altuve, Houston Astros: Despite defensive concerns, Altuve remains a potent offensive threat, hitting 26 home runs and posting an adjusted OPS of 112.
• Luis Arraez, San Francisco Giants: Arraez is focused on becoming playable at second base, leveraging his exceptional contact skills.
• Jackson Holliday, Baltimore Orioles: Holliday improved in his second major league season, hitting 17 home runs, but will likely start the season on the injured list with a hand injury.
• Brandon Lowe, Pittsburgh Pirates: Lowe hit 31 home runs with a .477 slugging percentage, but his defensive metrics were poor (-14 defensive runs saved and -13 outs above average).
• Luke Keaschall, Minnesota Twins: Keaschall showed promise in 49 games, hitting .302 and generating 2.0 bWAR.
• Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves: Albies remained largely healthy, playing in 157 games, but his OPS dipped to .671.
• Chase Meidroth, Chicago White Sox: Meidroth accumulated 1.3 bWAR over 122 games in his rookie season.

Source: ESPN