2024 MLB Power Rankings: Who are the best second basemen?

The present-day MLB is filled with talented defensive second basemen, as well as prolific hitters. But, which second basemen should be considered the best as MLB heads toward the 2024 regular season? It’s not easy to choose but here are our selections, starting with a standout from the 2023 MLB Playoffs.

5. Ketel Marte

Constructing a list of the best MLB second basemen is not easy, as many of the game’s better hitters at the position aren’t great fielders at the position. For example, Luis Arraez has arguably the best hit tool in all of baseball but posted the second-lowest Outs Above Average (-13) at the position. We also could have gone with Mookie Betts but opted not to since he wasn’t a primary second baseman last year. Thus, #5 on our list is Ketel Marte

Marte, though, has never been an elite defender, as most of his value has been derived from his bat. Marte had his best year at the plate since 2019 last year, when he hit .276/.358/.485 (.843 OPS) with 25 home runs. The 30-year-old was a postseason standout as well. Marte batted .329 and broke the record for the longest hitting streak in MLB Playoff history last fall.

4. Gleyber Torres

Yet again, Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres flew under the radar to have a strong season in 2023. The 27-year-old hit 25 home runs last year for the Yankees, tied with Ketel Marte for fifth-most among second basemen last season. And among second basemen with at least 400 plate appearances, Torres ranked ninth in OPS (.800).

Torres has been an unheralded piece for the Yankees in recent years, but will he be in The Bronx past 2024? The 27-year-old is set to test the market after this upcoming campaign.

3. Ozzie Albies

One year after he was limited to just 64 games due to injuries, Ozzie Albies rebounded to have a very strong campaign in 2023 for the Braves. Albies hit .280/.336/.513 (.849 OPS) with 33 home runs, which was the most among second basemen last year. The 27-year-old also finished third in OPS (.849, min. 400 PA) and second in total bases (306) among players at the position.

Albies posted a poor -10 Outs Above Average last year, an odd number given that the Braves second baseman has been a reliable defender at the position.

2. Jose Altuve

Jose Altuve got off to a late start last year thanks to an injury sustained at the World Baseball Classic. But when he returned, the 33-year-old was a force at the plate. The eight-time All-Star hit .311/.393/.522 (.915 OPS) with 17 home runs. 76 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases over just 90 games with the Astros.

The former AL MVP has been one of the game’s best hitters over the last decade and to this point, Altuve’s shown no signs of slowing down as he is less than 1,000 hits shy from 3,000 for his career.

1. Marcus Semien

From a statistical standpoint, Rangers infielder Marcus Semien is the top dog at second heading into 2023. Semien played a key role in the Rangers’ run to their World Series title in 2023, as he hit .276/.348/.478 (.826 OPS) with 29 home runs, 100 RBI, and an AL-high 122 runs scored. No second baseman over the past two seasons has more home runs (55), runs scored (223), or total bases (602) than Semien.

Defensively, Semien’s metrics ticked up in a major way after moving to second with Toronto. It’s not a shock, as he doesn’t have great arm strength but very good speed. Over the last three years, Semien has a +29 OAA at second.