Would You Rather: Dynasty Second Base Edition

A little bit of a skinny place, second base is top-heavy, with a whole lot of mid-tier expertise. The place appears to presently have extra stable prime prospects than up to now. 2024 breakout Kristian Campbell profiles extra as an outfielder, however Travis Bazzana and Christian Moore assist bolster 2B after the 2024 MLB Draft. Try just a few matchups between present second basemen and prospects beneath. Very similar to our dynasty pitcher article, ability, age, and crew positioning might be taken into consideration.

Ozzie Albies vs. Jackson Holliday

The very best younger second baseman within the league vs. the famous person prospect who struggled mightily in his debut. It’s no secret Jackson Holliday had a disappointing debut outdoors of a six-game stretch the place he hit 4 residence runs. Ozzie Albies has been one of the productive second basemen for the final eight seasons. Albies is about to show 28 years previous and is in his prime. Jackson Holliday simply turned 21 years previous and is getting into his first full MLB season.

Albies vs. the No. 1 prospect from 2023 hypothetically is a detailed matchup. Personally, I used to be decrease than most on Holliday previous to his unimpressive MLB Debut. There isn’t a denying Albies is a top-3 second baseman for dynasty leagues. There isn’t a prospect that ought to beat that, however Jackson Holliday, Kristian Campbell, and Travis Bazzana are in all probability the one three that you can make a case for. Holliday was elite each step of the way in which in his MiLB profession, however everyone seems to be conscious of the MLB struggles. A 60-game MLB debut at 20 years previous ought to be taken with a grain of salt. Holliday ought to nonetheless be a superb participant, however the 69 strikeouts in 60 video games are alarming. A prospect that managed his strikeout price relative to his stroll price, Holliday was unable to do this towards MLB pitching.

I’ve watched a whole lot of Jackson Holliday, and I used to be by no means fairly positive how he caught as much as velocity. Early within the season, he utilized a excessive leg kick and stored his arms again, and Holliday seemed late on 95 MPH fastballs often. Later within the 12 months he eliminated the leg kick for a toe faucet and noticed barely extra success. Holliday had some nice video games, however couldn’t persistently put something collectively. The 33.2% strikeout price is the primary concern, because it was greater than 10% greater than another degree prior.

Albies however has been elite within the 4 full seasons he has performed. He tallied 24 residence runs twice, then 30 and 33 in these 4 seasons. With 40+ doubles in three of these 4 seasons and 13+ steals, Albies did a little bit of all the pieces. Hitting in an elite lineup, he has the chance for 100 runs and RBI yearly. If Jackson Holliday reached his highest potential, I’m nonetheless undecided that’s a lot better than the 4 full seasons Albies has already accrued. This matchup leans Albies closely for me on the present second.

Winner: Ozzie Albies

Matt McLain vs. Travis Bazzana

Matt McLain burst onto the MLB scene in 2023 however missed 2024 because of a shoulder harm. Travis Bazzana is the extremely hyped No. 1 decide from the 2024 MLB Draft. These two gamers have very comparable profiles and will find yourself being within the prime 5 of second basemen for the following 5 to 10 years. McLain hit 16 residence runs and stole 14 bases in his 89-game 2023 season. Bazzana had a little bit of a tough begin to his professional debut, however the ability set was proven at instances. Reporting to Excessive-A, Bazzana solely hit .238, however hit three residence runs, stole 5 bases, and held a .369 OBP.

The No. 1 total decide within the 2024 MLB Draft, Travis Bazzana seems like a secure prospect. The worth feels greater in a real-world state of affairs versus fantasy baseball, however there’s worth in each. Bazzana has three plus instruments in his hit instrument, energy, and pace. Arguably on the facility being plus, it’s above common and will nonetheless give him 20-25 residence runs per season. Bazzana is a top-10 prospect with a ton of upside that’s close to MLB-ready. Matt McLain has the instruments to place up 20 residence runs and 20+ stolen bases per season. A smaller participant at 5’9″, McLain nonetheless hit 16 residence runs in his first 89 video games. barrel and laborious hit price permit McLain to faucet into the additional base energy.

After his stellar 89-game debut in 2023, McLain remains to be a top-10 second baseman even when he doesn’t enhance. The primary concern with McLain is the strikeout and stroll numbers. Travis Bazzana has a safer profile with super upside. The pace could take a step again, however Bazzana ought to close to 20-20 each season. The hit instrument, persistence, and upside make me wish to tackle Bazzana right here.

Winner: Travis Bazzana

Luis García Jr. vs. Adael Amador

A former prime prospect, Garcia Jr. made his MLB Debut at 20 years previous. Amador made his MLB Debut for the Rockies in 2024 at 21 years previous for simply 10 video games. Luis García Jr. broke out totally in 2024 in what was simply his second MLB season of larger than 100 video games. Garcia Jr. hit 18 residence runs and stole 22 bases. The facility and pace have at all times been there, however the low and practically non-existent stroll price hasn’t improved. Amador has been a promising prospect for 3 years, with an elite walk-to-strikeout price. Amador doesn’t have the pure energy that different gamers have, however the Coors issue ought to assist him hit 20 residence runs a 12 months. Apart from the hit instrument and persistence, Amador has above-average pace that ought to give him 15-20 steals per season.

Each of those gamers have super upside in several elements. Garcia Jr. has a barely higher hit instrument and energy, however Amador is affected person and barely quicker. Until Garcia Jr. sells out for extra energy, Amador has the potential for a bonus right here. Amador ought to publish an elite OBP, with 25 steals and 15-20 residence runs per season. With that potential, he may put up stats that may be practically equivalent to the 2024 season of Luis García Jr., with a greater OBP.

Garcia Jr. is a much bigger prospect at 6’2″ and 215 kilos, however he strikes very well. Each of those gamers are on yearly 20-20 watch as Amador advantages from enjoying at Coors Subject. Garcia Jr. is about to show 25 years previous and is coming off his breakout season the place he had an xBA of .278 paired with a stable 16.3% strikeout price. Amador is sort of the exact opposite of Garcia Jr. from a hitting standpoint. Elite plate self-discipline ought to result in 30 steal seasons for Amador.

The potential of Amador outweighs Garcia Jr. on this matchup, however they almost certainly find yourself close to the identical manufacturing degree. Amador ought to lead in stolen bases, runs, and OBP, however Garcia Jr. ought to take common and RBI. The Rockies ought to give Amador an opportunity to win the on a regular basis 2B position out of spring coaching. This can be a shut matchup for me, however I lean the upside of Amador.

Winner: Adael Amador

Jordan Westburg vs. Christian Moore

Jordan Westburg made a short debut in 2023 of 68 video games however bought nearer to a full-time position in 2024. Constant enjoying time noticed his numbers bounce to 18 residence runs and 6 steals in 2024. With above-average energy and pace, Westburg ought to be a 20+ residence run participant with 10-15 steals per season. The hit instrument should carry the OBP as he doesn’t stroll at a excessive price. Christian Moore was drafted by the Angels, so he’s on the quick observe to an MLB debut. Moore performed 23 of his 25 video games at Double-A and crushed, hitting 5 residence runs with a .322 common. It wouldn’t shock anybody to see him comply with Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel to a fast MLB debut.

Westburg is coming off an awesome season during which he was an MLB All-Star. Moore is likely one of the extra hyped 2024 MLB Draft picks. Christian Moore has super uncooked energy that ought to see him produce 25+ residence runs per season. The strikeout price wasn’t good to begin his profession with 29 complete in 25 video games. However, there isn’t any doubting the manufacturing of Moore’s bat. With an early debut, this Angels lineup is out of the blue a risk.  Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel, Christian Moore, and Mike Trout are a gifted core. The Angels deserve a whole lot of credit score for the final three MLB Drafts as Moore seems to contribute subsequent.

Westburg has a way more gifted and solidified lineup round him. Though he shares the same profile to Moore, the uncooked energy isn’t as apparent. Westburg nonetheless has good energy and may threaten 25 residence runs per 12 months. With the left subject fence transferring again in at Camden Yards, that appears extra attainable. Westburg often is the safer play for 2025 and 2026, however the long-term upside of Moore wins right here.

Winner: Christian Moore