Fantasy Baseball: Position Prep - 2B

Catchers Rankings - 1B Rankings

These ratings are based on value compared to their ADP

Now on to the Keystone.

A position group with some big names and heavy hitters but it’s a versatile group. Lots of potential for different approaches here which makes discussing value more difficult. 2B offers guys who hit for power and bring in RBIs and also high average run-scoring base stealers. The guys who are more versatile and have strong contributions to multiple categories I think bring the most here.

1 - Ketel Marte - 2B - ARI

Marte had a phenomenal 2024 and I see no reason why he can’t keep it going. His average ADP is 23.8 with a high of 18 (ESPN). I would literally be drooling to pick him at the end of the 2nd round. Last year he absolutely crushed fastballs - he had a run value of +21 facing them - Just for context's sake, Ohtani had a +24 RV facing fastballs last season.

This is a pretty perfect example of how being ranked higher provides less opportunity to give you that excess value - they’re already expected to perform at an elite level.

If Betts ADP was in this spot instead of ~15 picks earlier, then Betts would be #1 on this list.

Marte was red hot and provided above-average to elite performance in every category except launch angle.

Marte’s relatively all-around game is what gets me excited about him as a 2nd rounder.

He has the potential to be a difference-maker in every major category except steals. His sprint speed is barely below average and his strong baserunning instincts allow him to score well. Overall, he’s not much behind Betts statistically, and the potential to have him paired with a first-rounder (maybe even Betts if you want him at SS) gives him enough boost on the value side.

2 - Mookie Betts - 2B/SS/RF - LAD

In all seriousness, I really see this as more of a 1A 1B spot with him and Marte. I don’t think going either way is a bad move.

Mookie is the man. He looks to be completely locked in at SS this season with early reports of his defensive game having improved drastically. I’m thinking there’s a good chance we won’t be able to use Betts at 2B next year but that is assuming any of the Dodgers other 2B options actually stick and we don’t end up with Betts at second and Rojas at SS again.

He has the most enviable lineup spot in the entire MLB hitting behind Shohei Ohtani with plenty of studs behind him. The Dodgers are just an absolute behemoth and there’s no reason that a full season brings Betts back to his norm. He should smash 100 runs - His HRs were down even with the 2 months missed but hitting 30 is well within reason, alongside 85+ RBIs and 15 steals.

You can tell his eye is elite from the 5 bottom batting categories. The upper half of his Savant chart is down from past years and still brings with it two firmly elite categories.

In 2023, only his Bat Speed (34th) was below the 82nd percentile. No reason he can’t head back in that direction.

Value wise Betts has an average ADP of 8.6 with a high of 6 (ESPN). His lowest is 11 so you are not getting him outside the 1st round in 12-team leagues.

Every pick after 8 his value is really building as an awesome piece nearing the R1/R2 turn. I really don’t see it being out of the question for him to drop a bit as people look at last season’s totals and there being some big upside SSs and SPs going a few picks later than him typically. If you’re getting him in double digits I think you’re set up for success.

3 - Brandon Lowe - 2B - TBR

Alright, this is where things get interesting. Lowe really has one phenomenal year and that was 4 years ago now. But the last two have been good. His underlying numbers last year were actually quite similar to 2021 even with the traditional stats a far cry from them.

The Rays are playing in Yankee Stadium but in Florida aka Steinbrenner Field. Lowe could easily be a major beneficiary of the situation the Rays find themselves in this season, especially as a lefty with his fair share of pop. His xHR increases by 8 for last season when using Yankee Stadium and considering the warmer Florida weather, it could be a huge advantage for Lowe this year.

Lowe’s ADP currently sits at 225.4 with a high point of 191 (RTS). He’s definitely a reach candidate if you are believing in the park boost.

Another element to consider is that Lowe had quite positive underlying numbers last season. His xSLG and Launch angle are both in elite territory. His xwOBA is well above average and his xBA is better than is actual so we can hope for some positive regression there.

Lowe’s walk rate in previous years was much better than his 47th percentile BB% in 2024 (83rd percentile in 2023, 78th in 2021). If he can get his walks back up towards those numbers I think this is a player who could be looking at a top 50 season.

4 - Jonathan India - 2B - KCR

I went back and forth a lot on this but I’ve found that I’m high on KC this year. Following his trade to the Royals, India is set to start the year as their new leadoff man - hitting in front of Bobby Witt Jr. is a great place to be. I’ve already said I like Pasquantino and Perez this year as well so that puts him in a great spot for success in my mind.

His ADP is basically off the charts at 231.4 and even his high of 169 (ESPN) is undervalued. On Yahoo, he’s going 300th currently which I don’t see any way he doesn’t absolutely smash that draft spot. India underperformed his underlying numbers last year

and has been on a positive progression these last two seasons back towards his stellar rookie year.

I believe 2025 India will surpass the majority of his rookie counting stats. With continued success limiting Ks and producing walks, especially at an elite rate again, I think his run totals could well surpass 100.

He’s not going to bring in the HRs or RBIs like more than a few of the 2Bs going earlier than him, but I see a top-75 finish in most category leagues as well within the cards.

Just to touch on his position since KC’s 2B from last season Michael Massey is still on the team there looks to be some versatility being forced upon India. He’s expected to play some OF and started their first Spring game in LF. He is currently listed at DH on Fangraphs projected lineup, which I’m sure he’ll also spend some time at but between Perez and Pasquantino there are a lot of moving parts.

All in all, I am extremely confident India gets all the playing time he can handle regardless of position considering teams don’t typically trade away pitchers of value like Singer for assets they don’t like and intend to use.

5 - Luis Garcia Jr.- 2B - WSH

This is a guy I am really excited about as he took that first big next step last year. Now going into his age 25 season the former highly touted prospect is coming into his own. I see him building off last year and really pushing to be a .300 hitter who can hit 20+ HRs and have 20+ steals

The Nationals are an interesting team as they have so much youth. Garcia Jr. has only played over 100 games twice in the majors and he has the 3rd most service time in the starting 9 behind new additions Josh Bell (sorta new) and Nate Lowe.

His ADP is 140.8 with a high of 119 (NFBC) so he’s not exactly a deep cut this year as he looks to be about the 10th 2B off the board in most cases.

According to Fangraphs, Garcia Jr. is projected to bat 6th in the Nats lineup, which is a bit further down than I would like, but we can hope it helps his RBI totals. I don't think it’s out of the question that he gets moved up to 2nd where Crews is currently projected if there are early season struggles there.

Still being so young and with plenty of MLB experience for his age I’m betting on him really having figured out his game and it could pay big dividends. Confidence can be a major key and with a strong year behind him he could be entering his prime as a very solid 2B. Especially if he could ever get his walk rate up then it really elimiates the main hole in his game.

6 - Brendan Donovan - 2B/3B/LF - STL

He’s here mostly because he’s the 8th 2B off the board on ESPN but is going 150-200 picks later everywhere else. He’s projected to be hitting 4th in the Cards lineup and did well last season hitting .276 with 14 HRs 73 RBIs and 65 runs. He struggled out of the leadoff spot for the first month+ but found his game hitting down the order. Perhaps starting the year there could be a boost.

ADP - 228.6 - High of 93 (ESPN)

7 - Luis Arraez - 1B/2B - SDP

In a different time, Arraez is a much more sought-after player both in reality and fantasy. For fantasy purposes, he is very strong in the categories he performs well in and is irrelevant otherwise and unfortunately, there are more of those. Boosts your average and OBP and doesn’t do much of anything else. Not of much value in points leagues as even his XBH are fairly low, but in most cats leagues is at least a top 75 guy based on those two categories alone.

ADP - 150.4 - High of 43 (ESPN)

8 - Brice Turang - 2B - MIL

Lots of rhetoric seems to be down on Turang which could lead to him dropping in drafts. His best quality is his speed which led to him stealing 50 bags last year. He’s not a power threat and is projected to hit 7th to start the year so he does need to make the most of his opportunities with the bat. His xBA was slightly above his .254 average last year so continued on that trajectory and he should have no problem being a huge steals contributor who doesn’t hurt you with average.

Left off the List

There are a few names that could raise some questions. Altuve, Albies, and Semien I think are the most likely.

Jose Altuve - 2B - HOU

Altuve had terrible advanced metrics in 2024 although his traditional stats didn’t suffer much as a result. Fangraphs projections also have him taking a pretty drastic drop to a .265 average which I think creates a chance for him to be moved out of the leadoff spot. Should hit 20 HRs again but wouldn’t be unexpected to end up in the teens. Just not someone I want to spend a 4th round pick on.

ADP - 44.6 - High of 34 (Yahoo)

Ozzie Albies - 2B - ATL

Albies has gotten MVP votes the last two odd years in 2021 and 2023 so perhaps he’s in line for another big year. I don’t want to chase the highs when the lows of 2022 and 2024 were as low as they were. If you think he’s the San Francisco Giants of players and gets a 3rd WS title or in this case 30 HR 100 RBI year then I think you’re glad to spend the 4th/5th round pick on him. I’ll be steering clear.

ADP - 51.4 - High of 43 (Yahoo)

Marcus Semien - 2B - TEX

Honestly, I think this is my worst take of the three but I’m fearful when I see a downturn on a player after 30. I’m sure lots have returned to more typical form for a few years following it, but I’d be willing to bet that when you have your worst season in 5+ years at 33 more often than not that’s the start of the decline. Even a plateau for a year or two here and you’re paying too much for a player of that caliber.

ADP 61.2 - High of 35 (Yahoo)