To succeed at second base, one must have several important characteristics. Yes, a good bat helps. However, range and instincts do matter at second, to shore up things up the middle on defense. So, which players head into 2026 as the best overall second basemen in MLB? It can be subjective. But here’s our list, which includes some newcomers for 2026.

10. Bryson Stott

We start our top 10 with Bryson Stott, who’s been a reliable anchor of the Phillies’ infield since he moved from short to second base several years ago.

Last year was a typical one for Stott, who picked up at least 10 home runs and 24 stolen bases in each of the last three seasons. The 29-year-old slashed .257/.328/.391 with 13 home runs and 38 extra-base hits last season with the Phillies.

Strong defense has been a hallmark of Stott’s game. His +7 Outs Above Average (OAA) ranked in the top 10 last season among second basemen.

9. Ernie Clement

Ernie Clement will likely be the team’s regular second baseman in 2026. Andres Gimenez is set to move back to shortstop, replacing Bo Bichette.

Clement played 89 games at third base last season but saw a lot of action at second. He started 49 games at second base and held his own there defensively, as Clement posted a +6 Outs Above Average at the position. It’s par for the course for Clement, a rangy infielder with speed and instincts.

As far as Clement’s offensive impact is concerned, the 29-year-old is one of baseball’s best contact hitters. His swing is short, quick, and Clement can catch up to fastballs very well. Clement set a postseason record for most hits (30) in a single playoff run.

8. Gleyber Torres

The 2025 season wasn’t the best for Gleyber Torres‘ career.

Torres required sports hernia surgery after last season, as the Tigers’ infielder was playing hurt over the final few weeks of the 2025 campaign. And based upon his numbers, that shouldn’t be a shock. The longtime former Yankee put up fine numbers in the first half, as he racked up 25 extra-base hits and walked more than he struck out. However, he posted a .659 OPS after the break.

Torres’ defense (-5 OAA) is a knock on his overall body of work. However, Torres can still hit for pop, something that’s not easy to come by as far as second basemen are concerned.

7. Jose Altuve

Welcome back to second base, Jose Altuve.

Technically, Altuve never left the position. After a much-publicized move to left field last spring. Altuve spent more time at second than left field thanks to injuries and the need to re-adjust the infield and outfield. And with a plethora of outfield options, including Zach Cole and Shay Whitcomb, around, Altuve will likely be back at second for another year.

Offensively, Altuve didn’t have a bad year in 2025. The 35-year-old hit 26 home runs and remains one of the best overall hitters at his position. And yes, he can still hit the fastball.

6. Brandon Lowe

For the first time in Brandon Lowe‘s career, he will suit up for a Major League team other than the Rays.

His final season as a Ray was spectacular. Lowe finished with a wOBA (.334) in the top-third of the Majors, part of a season that saw him hit 31 home runs on the year. It was the kind of year that’s become expected of Lowe over the years. For years, he’s been an elite power hitter, provided he can stay healthy.

Lowe’s defense is not particularly good. His -14 OAA was easily the worst at the position last season. The new Pirate has never been a burner, both in the field and on the basepaths.

5. Brendan Donovan

The Mariners picked up one of the best contact hitters in baseball when Seattle acquired former Cardinal Brendan Donovan via trade.

Donovan set career-bests in terms of well-hit contact and swing-and-miss rates in 2025. Between his ability to push the ball when needed and his willingness to work, the 29-year-old is a pesky hitter — and a productive one, at that. His .337 wOBA ranked in the top 80 of MLB last season.

Another plus in Donovan’s skillset is his ability to move around and play multiple positions. However, he’ll likely get a lot of time at third base this season after the Mariners lost Eugenio Suarez in the winter. Donovan played exclusively at third in the spring to this point. Seattle also has young infielder Cole Young, who still has plenty of value despite struggles both in the field (-9 OAA) and at the plate.

4. Nico Hoerner

In terms of range, there likely isn’t a better defender at second base presently than Nico Hoerner.

Hoerner won his second Gold Glove last season, one where he finished first among his peers at second base in Outs Above Average (+14 OAA). He doesn’t have a weakness in the field, as Hoerner doesn’t have problems moving in either direction, or back, or even in on balls.

As far as Hoerner’s bat is concerned, he’s quick with the stick and is one of the toughest players to strike out. Last season, his 7.6% K% was the third-best in the Majors (min. 350 PA), behind only Jacob Wilson and Luis Arraez. Hoerner set a career-high for most hits (178) in a single season in 2025.

3. Brice Turang

Brice Turang has been a valuable infielder for the Brewers since his promotion to the Majors several years ago. But last year, Turang took a big step forward.

Turang exploded over the summer, as the fourth-year player hit 12 home runs from August 1 onward, which pushed him to 18, a career-high, last year. The 26-year-old also set career-highs in on-base percentage (.359) and Barrel% (7.9%). His bat speed, it should be noted, jumped on average four MPH more in 2025, compared to 2024.

Defensively, Turang is a good, rangy player, even though it didn’t show up too much in some of the metrics. His +0 OAA at second base was neither outstanding nor bad.

2. Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Jazz Chisholm Jr.‘s first full season with the Yankees went very well.

Chisholm Jr. finished last season with the third-highest wOBA (.349) and wRC+ (126) among second basemen, behind only now-Mets first baseman Jorge Polanco and the player who is ahead of Chisholm Jr. on this list. The infielder-turned-outfielder-turned-infielder hit 31 home runs and 31 stolen bases, his first 30-30 campaign. Needless to say, the new confines worked out well for him.

Not only has Chisholm Jr. highly productive as a hitter but he also did just fine in the field. His +8 OAA was third-best among second basemen, behind Xavier Edwards and Hoerner.

1. Ketel Marte

Ketel Marte takes the spot on our second base rankings list yet again.

There was no better second baseman from an offensive standpoint last season. Marte cracked 28 home runs in 126 games, as well as 56 total extra-base hits. His 145 wRC+ and .381 wOBA were both top figures among players at his position. And, that wOBA figure was good for 11th in all of Major League Baseball last season.

Even though there’s been some debate as to where Marte will wind up defensively in the near future, he’s held his ground at second. His +1 OAA was proof of that.

Check out more of our MLB coverage, including a look at our rankings of the best first basemen.