We continue our look at the best players at each position in MLB heading into 2025, with the top second basemen. Our expanded list includes a new player at #1, plus several elite defenders that deserve a spot in our top 10.
10. Bryson Stott
We’ll start our list with Bryson Stott, who beats out Brice Turang, Jonathan India, and Tyler Fitzgerald, the latter of whom played mostly shortstop last year. The 2024 season was a down one for Stott, who posted a .671 OPS last year and in the second half, failed to crack .300 with his OBP.
Still, Stott has been one of the better second basemen over the last two seasons, offensively. The 27-year-old ranked eighth in total bases (425), seventh in total hits (288), and third in stolen bases (63) among second basemen (min. 50% GP) from 2023-24. Not to mention, Stott’s a strong defender, tied with Otto Lopez for the sixth-best Outs Above Average (+17) in that span.
9. Gleyber Torres
New Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres will have a new MLB team for the first time in his career come 2025. Torres was one of the best power-hitting second basemen in 2022-23. as he finished second in home runs (49) and fourth in SLG (.452) among players at the position. However, the ex-Yankee had a down 2024, hitting .257/.330/.378 (.709 OPS) with 15 home runs despite a strong September.
The 28-year-old is not a great defender at second, as he ranked 28th among second basemen (-8 OAA) in terms of range between 2023-24. However, Torres will be the Tigers’ everyday second baseman in 2025. Detroit will move Colt Keith to first.
8. Andres Gimenez
There’s arguably no better defender at second than Andres Gimenez, who was acquired by the Blue Jays in December. Gimenez won his third-consecutive AL Gold Glove in November, as the new Toronto infielder’s shown incredible range at the position in recent years. His +39 Outs Above Average was best among all second basemen from 2023-24.
Where Gimenez has lacked, however, is his bat. Gimenez’s offensive production has waned in recent years, after he posted a .837 OPS in 2022. The 26-year-old’s .674 OPS from 2023-24 was 12th among the 15 second basemen who accrued at least 900 PA from 2023-23.
7. Jake Cronenworth
The 2024 campaign was a return to norms for Jake Cronenworth, who posted career-worst numbers back in 2023. Cronenworth drove in 83 runs for the Padres and much like he’s done his whole career, got on base often enough to set up his teammates.
With Ha-Seong Kim no longer in San Diego and Luis Arraez at first, Jake Cronenworth is poised to get more time at second base in 2025. The 31-year-old Cronenworth isn’t a bad defender at second, as his -2 Outs Above Average at second between 2023-24 is slightly below-average. However, that was a small sample size.
6. Nico Hoerner
Arguably the best defender at second base in the National League is Nico Hoerner. Hoerner, ex-shortstop who moved to second for Dansby Swanson. Hoerneer isn’t a power hitter but one of the more productive offensive second basemen. Over the last two years, Hoerner ranked third among his peers in runs scored (184) & hits (334), and second in stolen bases (74).
However, his calling card is the glove. Hoerner ranked fourth among second basemen in Outs Above Average (+23).
5. Brandon Lowe
Rays infielder Brandon Lowe would likely be higher up on this list, had he played more than 209 games between 2023-24. Lowe hit 21 home runs in each of the last two campaigns, ranking him fifth among second basemen in that category (42). The 30-year-old has shown plus pop when healthy, including in 2021 when Lowe hit a career-best 39 home runs.
Defensively, Lowe has been adept, despite fringe-average foot speed. Lowe recorded a +4 Outs Above Average from 2023-24, good for 15th.
4. Ozzie Albies
Much like 2022, 2024 was an injury-riddled campaign for Ozzie Albies. Albies played just 99 games, thanks to a toe fracture and fractured left wrist. And on the field, it was a down season for Albies, who hit .251/.303/.404 with 10 home runs and 40 extra-base hits. Juxtapose that with his numbers in 2023, when the Braves infielder slugged 33 home runs and helped pace a record-breaking Atlanta offense.
Where Albies is weak, however, is in the field. It hasn’t always been this way for Albies, who showed above-average range (+9 OAA) from 2022-24. However, over the last two campaigns, Albies’ -12 OAA ranked 31st out of 35 eligible second basemen.
3. Jose Altuve
Jose Altuve will enter his 15th season in 2025, part of what is likely a Hall of Fame career. Altuve’s bat was impressive yet again in 2024, as the 34-year-old hit 20 home runs and slashed .295/.350/.439 (.790 OPS) for the Astros. Last year also saw Altuve win his seventh-career AL Silver Slugger.
One area, though, where Altuve has declined in recent years is his defense. Altuve posted a -9 Outs Above Average at second base, far from the +1 he posted in the same category two years earlier.
2. Marcus Semien
Yes, 2024 was a down season for Marcus Semien. The Rangers infielder — who was #1 on our list in 2024 — slashed .237/.308/.391 (.699 OPS) wirh 23 home runs. While Semien still showed plenty of pop — his 52 home runs from 2023-24 was second-best among 2B — he also got on top of the play a lot in 2024. Last season, his GB% jumped almost six percentage point and his Topped% rose over 2.0%.
Defensively, Semien (+19 OAA) remained an elite fielder at this position. He’s a +47 OAA at second base since the start of 2024.
1. Ketel Marte
The top spot goes to Ketel Marte, who had his best statistical season since 2019 last year. One could argue Marte did better in 2024, as the Diamondbacks second baseman set career-highs in home runs (36) and RBI (95). Marte slashed .292/.372/.560 (.932 OPS) in a season that saw him finish third in the NL MVP vote.
No second baseman has hit more home runs (61) over the last two seasons than Marte, who figures to be a key piece to Arizona’s 2025 team.
Make sure to check out our rankings of the best catchers and first basemen heading into 2025.