2012 MLB Draft Prospects: 10 Best Second Basemen in the 2012 Draft Class

After previewing the 10 best catchers in the 2012 draft class earlier today, Prospect Pipeline’s draft coverage continues with a preview of the top draft prospects at second base.

Here’s the thing: In my opinion, being classified as a second baseman prior to the draft is a highly limiting tag. I would much rather see a team target a shortstop who, while being a standout at the amateur level, has tools that best profile at second base.

Therefore, on this list, you will find numerous players who have excelled at shortstop for their respective school but seem best suited for a professional career at second base.

Having said that, here are the 10 best second base prospects in the 2012 draft class. 

10. Joey DeMichele, Arizona State

A left-handed hitter, DeMichele controls the strike zone well and has a quick, balanced swing that results in line drives across the whole field.

The 5’11”, 185-pounder shoots the gaps with consistency and is capable of periodically jumping the yard. On defense, he’s incredibly raw with choppy footwork and a lacking first step.

His arm and speed are appropriate for the position, though, he’ll be forced to make considerable strides with the glove to handle the next level.  

9. Micah Johnson, Indiana

After an injury-plagued 2011 season that saw him serve primarily as the Hoosiers’ designated hitter, Johnson has spent the season back at second base—his natural position.

A highly athletic player, he has plus speed that’s noticeable on both sides of the ball, however, his defensive actions are lacking and his hands even iron-like at times.

A left-handed hitter, Johnson has a tenuous feel for the strike zone but does possesses decent power given his size. However, his swing can get lengthy which yields too many swing-and-misses.

8. L.J. Mazzilli, Connecticut

Another player with big-league bloodlines, Mazzilli is the son of former player and manager Lee Mazzilli.

At 6’1”, 190 pounds, he's a bat-first middle infielder who lacks consistency on defense. He has quick wrists and a direct bat path and seemingly understands his capabilities at the dish.

He has a surprising amount of pop in his bat, which is always valued in a second baseman. He has decent speed and range, and his arm is a natural fit at the position. 

7. Timmy Lopes, Edison HS (CA)

The younger brother of Christian Lopes in the Blue Jays system, Lopes has been ascending draft boards all spring. He has average speed that plays up both on defense and on the bases and lends to his range on defense.

His arm is fairly mediocre at shortstop, which leads many to believe second base is his best position. An advanced hitter given his age, Lopes works counts and squares up the baseball with consistency, though, he’s not expected to hit for much power. 

6. Alex Yarbrough, Mississippi

A switch-hitter, Yarbrough has a balanced setup and swing from both sides of the plate that plays up due to his impressive plate discipline. He's a high-intensity ballplayer with an admirable baseball IQ.

Although he played shortstop for most of his prep and early college career, he lacks the range to continue his career at the position. Regardless, Yarbrough’s ability from both sides of the plate is what makes him an intriguing prospect and has him poised for success at the next level. 

5. Alex Bregman, Albuquerque Academy (NM)

One of my favorite middle infield prospects in the 2012 draft class, Bregman has slipped down the draft boards after missing most of the season with a broken finger. At 5’11”, he has a slender frame but possesses quiet power at the plate.

His bat is his best tool, as he has quick wrists and compact stroke that results in constant hard contact. He’s displayed solid defense and has pretty good arm strength as a shortstop, though his defensive tools are a cleaner fit at second base.

He’s been lauded for his overall makeup and never takes a pitch off when on the field.

4. Tony Renda, CA

At 5’8”, 180 pounds, Renda has the prototypical second baseman package. He’s a pure hitter who takes healthy cuts yet retains the ability to consistently barrel up the baseball and lace line drives from line-to-line.

He has occasional power but is likely to be more of a doubles hitter at the next level. Renda’s defense is a bit worrisome, though, as his range is somewhat limited, and his actions a bit choppy.

However, his bat should continue to outweigh said grievances. 

3. Kenny Diekroeger, Stanford

Drafted in the third round of the 2009 draft by the years, Diekroeger passed on a $2 million signing bonus to honor his commitment to Stanford.

He’s played all over the infield for the Cardinal, logging most of his innings at shortstop. He has a strong arm and smooth defensive actions, but his average range will likely make him a full-time second baseman at the next level.

Although he has impressive and projectable size, Diekroeger has never hit for much power. However, there’s a strong chance that he’ll have at least an average hit tool as a professional.

2. Jesmuel Valentin, SS/2B, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy (P.R.)

The son of former big-league veteran Jose Valentin, Jesmuel plays alongside shortstop Carlos Correa, who will be a sure-fire top-10 selection on Monday.

He has the natural ability and tools to play shortstop but will likely stick at his current position. He has above-average arm strength and good range, and in general, plays the game extremely hard. A switch hitter, Valentin has a line-drive stroke that he uses to drive the ball all over the field, and possesses more thump from the left side of the plate.

1. Nolan Fontana, SS/2B, Florida

The Gators starting shortstop since his freshman season, Fontana is one of the more well-rounded middle infielders in the 2012 draft class.

Although he’s not really a toolsy player, he has few holes in his game and projects to be a solid big leaguer.

A left-handed hitter, Fontana manipulates counts and is an adept base stealer. Despite his ability at shortstop, his average arm and range are best suited for second base where he’s expected to play upon entering the professional ranks.