We already went over the high 20 catchers and the high 20 1st basemen for 2024 fantasy baseball. In the present day, we dip our huge toe into the highest 20 2nd basemen pool. Ensure that to go toes first right here, as a result of it’s shallow and I don’t need you cracking your medulla oblongata far and wide. To recap this crap (rhyme factors!), this closing rating for final 12 months is from our Fantasy Baseball Participant Rater with my feedback. The Participant Rater permits me to be neutral whereas taking a look at how I ranked them within the preseason. Anyway, right here’s the highest 20 2nd basemen for 2024 fantasy baseball and the way they in comparison with the place I initially ranked them:
1. Ketel Marte – You thought the first basemen had been dangerous? Wait till you see the 2nd basemen! Ketel is an efficient man to steer this off, since you would possibly wish to begin consuming. They’re not worse than the catchers, however they’re worse than the first basemen, who weren’t excellent. Went to have a look at Ketel’s ADP to see if I used to be unreasonably low. I used to be not. Whereas taking a look at ADP, I noticed Albies — ouch — Matt McClain — who was so nonexistent I felt like I needed to put his full identify to remind you — Bogaerts, Kim, Thairo, Morel, Jackson Holliday and Nolan Gorman. 2nd base would possibly’ve been probably the most land mine-filled place of all-time. So, for those who occurred into Ketel, then congrats, you fortunate ess oh bee. I don’t purchase for one second you anticipated this season. You would possibly’ve been effective together with his regular 90/20/80/.275/5, however you didn’t anticipate this 12 months. Don’t misinform your self. Preseason Rank #14, 2024 Projections: 86/19/70/.277/7 in 554 ABs, Last Numbers: 93/36/95/.292/7 in 504 ABs
2. Jose Altuve – Once they measure this man’s residence runs, do they add in an additional foot to account for his tiny arms? Preseason Rank #4, 2024 Projections: 92/25/57/.306/15 in 533 ABs, Last Numbers: 94/20/65/.295/22 in 628 ABs
3. Mookie Betts – Extremely disappointing season and he was the third finest 2nd baseman. The world’s longest woof. The harm may account for the whole meh, however for those who’re taking a look at his peripherals and seeing him make lots worse contact, it’s truthful to be nervous. He was not driving the ball this 12 months. Hopefully it was the hand harm. Or you’ll be able to take a look at his total 12 months, positively, as he was nonetheless very helpful and missed nearly two months. On a aspect be aware, every time a participant does like Betts and has a greater stroll fee than strikeout fee, I set free a little bit giggle. Preseason Rank #1, 2024 Projections: 116/33/91/.286/15 in 577 ABs, Last Numbers: 75/15/75/.289/16 in 450 ABs
4. Marcus Semien – For those who come for the puns, you’re in the correct blurb. That was a pun. Reread it. Okay, cease being a Foolish Billy. By the best way, Betts began a step down tier from the earlier guys. So, Semien was considered one of my largest 2nd half sells and he ended up being about as meh within the 2nd half as the primary. Not worse as a lot as same-same. Three months this 12 months Semien may barely get it above the Mendoza Line. One of many occasions when it is best to’ve moved on from Semien, and never saved it in your pants. Although, it’s a good query: Transfer on to whom? Preseason Rank #2, 2024 Projections: 112/31/94/.272/18 in 632 ABs, Last Numbers: 101/23/74/.237/8 in 650 ABs
5. Brice Turang – Expectations are a humorous factor. Semien looks as if a bust; but, a nut for Turang I’m. I prolly may’ve rephrased that. Turang has precisely the kind of numbers I like from my MI. Disgrace Pat Murphy couldn’t decide to Turang being on the high of the order. Nicely, good for Turang, however that may’ve presumably harm Chourio. Can’t everybody hit leadoff? Wait, that’s the Yanks. Preseason Rank #31, 2024 Projections: 57/8/51/.233/28 in 412 ABs, Last Numbers: 72/7/57/.254/50 in 559 ABs
6. Luis Garcia Jr. – You suppose he abruptly was feeling very spiritually related to his father or do you suppose MLB contacted him and was like, “Bro, there’s fifteen Luis Garcias, are you able to simply honor your dad and add junior?” Luis Garcia JUNIOR positively acquired the quick stick when it got here to rating right here, as a result of he was wonderful, when Davey Martinez really performed him. Davey platooned him approach an excessive amount of. Possibly Garcia’s taking part in time was harm after he talked about to his supervisor he actually likes taking part in slots on his cellphone till the wee hours. Preseason Rank #29, 2024 Projections: 56/10/62/.274/8 in 403 ABs, Last Numbers: 58/18/70/.282/22 in 500 ABs
7. Nico Hoerner – Marvel if Wrigley had a 12 months the place there have been much more days with the wind blowing in. Guys having 5-ish HRs and 30-ish steals with .270-ish averages and rating this excessive makes me really feel like we’re again within the 80’s. There’s a really Ozzie Smith-esque really feel to his numbers with out the glove. Preseason Rank #5, 2024 Projections: 94/13/66/.284/37 in 606 ABs, Last Numbers: 86/7/48/.273/31 in 582 ABs
8. Maikel Garcia – I discussed this with the highest 20 1st basemen, and it is perhaps affirmation bias, but it surely appeared just like the Yr of Low BABIP. (Nico was sufferer to it, too.) I did analysis it, and BABIP was down (.297 to .291). Whereas taking a look at league stats, I did discover that in 2019 there was 6776 homers and 5868 in 2023. This 12 months? Manner under even final 12 months, however above 2022 (this 12 months was 5453 HRs). The truth is, 2022 had the bottom BABIP and AVG. This all pertains to Maikel, as he ought to’ve hit for a a lot greater common, and that may’ve pushed him up even greater, and he’s already fairly excessive right here. Preseason Rank for SS #22, 2024 Projections: 66/6/53/.282/25 in 481 ABs, Last Numbers: 84/7/58/.231/37 in 575 ABs
9. Luis Arraez – Already went over him within the high 20 1st basemen for 2024 fantasy baseball.
10. Willi Castro – Humorous factor about Castro, I rostered him for almost all of the 12 months in my RCL league (12-team), and the Participant Rater was the explanation I held onto him. I’d see him on my crew doing nothing, get bored, then take a look at the Participant Rater, and see he was doing nicely for the place in comparison with others and simply maintain Castro. Willi Apathy Castro. Preseason Rank #26, 2024 Projections: 64/12/61/.251/23 in 417 ABs, Last Numbers: 89/12/60/.247/14 in 558 ABs
11. Brendan Donovan – BDon making this listing, whereas having as a lot enterprise being right here as my podcast co-host. His projections aren’t that totally different than what he did, and I ranked him fortieth for 1st basemen! Nearly 200 extra at-bats than his projections and practically matched them? C’mon! That’s terrible for the state of offense. Preseason Rank for 1B #40, 2024 Projections: 61/14/51/.282/6 in 385 ABs, Last Numbers: 65/14/73/.278/5 in 587 ABs
12. Andres Gimenez – Ya know what 2nd basemen are this 12 months: meh energy, velocity and “simply okay” common. And the additional down within the ranks the additional down goes a man’s “simply okay” common. Gimenez remains to be “simply okay” however by the point you get to Caballero the typical is terrible. My projections vs. actuality ended up displaying me that And-Gim isn’t And-Energy. Preseason Rank #9, 2024 Projections: 77/18/68/.259/28 in 549 ABs, Last Numbers: 64/9/63/.252/30 in 583 ABs
13. Jonathan India – The one advantage of the 2nd basemen is it was: One huge tier within the 1st two guys, then a really gradual path off. Like a freak-off with barely much less lube however nonetheless Semien. India’s stats are so yawnstipating they’re laborious to consider ending up ranked this excessive, but when a man had 600 plate appearances, he had not less than a midway respectable probability of creating it on a high 20 listing for hitters. If I might’ve mentioned within the preseason, India would get these stats and ranked him this excessive, you’ll’ve thought I misplaced my solution to India like I used to be Columbus. Preseason Rank #16, 2024 Projections: 67/19/77/.252/12 in 477 ABs, Last Numbers: 84/15/58/.248/13 in 533 ABs
14. Bryson Stott – One of many largest disappointments that’s nearly completely the supervisor’s fault. If Stott had 85 runs, he’d be ranked fifth on this recap. Preseason Rank #8, 2024 Projections: 82/15/72/.282/28 in 572 ABs, Last Numbers: 65/11/57/.245/32 in 506 ABs
15. Jake Cronenworth – Already went over him within the high 20 1st basemen for 2024 fantasy baseball.
16. Gleyber Torres – Gleyber was Bregmanny in his skill to do the identical every year — 25 HRs, .275 — however not this 12 months. I belief Gleyber to hit 25 homers if the ball is regular greater than I belief MLB to make use of a standard ball. Preseason Rank #7, 2024 Projections: 81/25/78/.275/15 in 576 ABs, Last Numbers: 80/15/63/.257/4 in 587 ABs
17. Ryan McMahon – Did you promote him after his 1st half? Nobody was falling for that nonsense? Yeah, truthful. Too dangerous the Rockies’ GM isn’t in your league. Are you able to think about how simple it will be to beat them? You’d be like, “Why is that this crew in final? Let me take a look at their crew? Did they drop Elias Diaz for Jacob Stallings? Why? Wait, they’re taking part in Kris Bryant in a five-team league?” Preseason Rank #23, 2024 Projections: 73/22/66/.238/6 in 534 ABs, Last Numbers: 68/20/65/.242/4 in 567 ABs
18. Jordan Westburg – He was a preseason sleeper. Contemplating how weak the hitters are on this rank I can’t inform if that’s a flex or not. I’m going to say it’s a flex, but it surely’s with considered one of my two-inch pythons. Preseason Rank #18, 2024 Projections: 63/21/71/.272/14 in 503 ABs, Last Numbers: 57/18/63/.264/6 in 416 ABs
19. Jose Caballero – Solely utterly unranked 2nd baseman, and in my rankings I spoke about Caballero a number of occasions beneath Taylor Partitions’s blurb, as a result of on the time Partitions was speculated to return the first week of the season from harm, and I frightened Caballero would lose his job. With that mentioned, Caballero is ranked approach too low in these end-of-the-year ranks than the place I’d put him. That is the Participant Rater ranks, and Caballero is being failed by the PR due to his low common, runs and RBIs, however for those who grabbed Caballero for steals, and solely steals, nicely, let’s simply say, I’d commerce you a large number greater man on this listing if I wanted steals. McMahon for Caballero? 5,000% sure. Preseason Unranked, Last Numbers: 53/9/44/.227/44 in 441 ABs
20. Brandon Lowe – He ended up because the twenty eighth high 1st baseman, so there was extra depth at 1st base than 2nd, however Cronenworth was the seventeenth finest 1st baseman and fifteenth right here, so to say 2nd basemen had been that far behind the first basemen is overstating issues. As for Lowe, if he may keep on the sector for the entire 12 months, he’d be a perennial 35-homer man. Sadly, no HMO is masking his ass. Preseason Rank #25, 2024 Projections: 54/22/66/.226/7 in 409 ABs, Last Numbers: 56/21/58/.244/5 in 385 ABs
