MLB State of the Position 2023: Every Team's 5-Year Plan at Second Base
The second base position is lacking in MLB star power compared to some other spots on the diamond, though not completely devoid by any means, with José Altuve, Jeff McNeil, Marcus Semien and 2022 breakout star Andrés Giménez among the top names.
There is also more impact talent on the way, including Michael Busch (LAD) and 2022 first-round picks Termarr Johnson (PIT) and Jace Jung (DET).
With that said, some teams are better set up for current and future success at the position than others.
Here, we've broken down each team's present and future outlook at second base, highlighting their current starter and their top prospect, followed by a prediction for who will start for each of the next five seasons.
Included with each top prospect is his tier ranking based on where he slotted in Bleacher Report's 2023 farm system rankings.
Think of it as the team's five-year plan at the position.
Catch up on previous State of the Position articles: First base, Shortstop, Third base
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
Present: Ketel Marte (Age: 29)
The D-backs signed Marte to a five-year, $76 million extension last March that was tacked on to his $8.4 million salary for the 2022 season, so he is under contract through 2027 with a club option for 2028. He finished sixth in the NL with 77 extra-base hits last year, but his 106 OPS+ and 1.5 WAR were a step backward, and he will be looking to rebound in 2023.
Future: Blaze Alexander (Tier 3)
An 11th-round pick in the 2018 draft who signed an above-slot $500,000 bonus, Alexander enjoyed an offensive breakout last season, hitting .301/.389/.540 with 18 doubles, 20 home runs and 59 RBI in 98 games in the upper minors. The 23-year-old has played primarily shortstop, but his path to the big leagues could be as an offensive-minded utility player.
Five-Year Prediction: Marte (2023-27)
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
Present: Ozzie Albies (Age: 26)
A fractured foot sidelined Albies for three months last season, and he returned for one game in September only to suffer a fractured finger and again be forced to the sidelines. The two-time All-Star is expected to be back to 100 percent for Opening Day, and his team-friendly seven-year, $35 million extension will keep him in Atlanta through the 2027 season if a pair of club options are exercised on the back end.
Future: Cal Conley (Tier 3)
Conley hit .329/.393/.587 with 15 home runs and 55 RBI in 56 games during his sophomore season at Texas Tech before going in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. The 23-year-old has the instincts to play shortstop, but his arm fits better at second base, and he could quickly emerge as one of the better position-player prospects in a thinned-out Atlanta system.
Five-Year Prediction: Albies (2023-27)
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
Present: Adam Frazier (Age: 31)
The Orioles signed Frazier to a one-year, $8 million deal during the offseason, which makes him the second-highest-paid player on a young, up-and-coming roster. The 2021 All-Star will be looking to rebound from an 80 OPS+ and 0.9 WAR in 156 games last season, and with a crowded infield, he could also see some time in left field when Ramón Urías plays second base.
Future: Connor Norby (Tier 2)
Norby destroyed lesser competition during his junior season at East Carolina to the tune of a .415/.484/.659 line and 15 home runs in 61 games, and the Orioles rolled the dice on that production translating to the next level when they took him in the second round of the 2021 draft. The 22-year-old logged an .886 OPS with 23 doubles, 29 home runs and 73 RBI over three minor league levels last year, closing out the season at Triple-A.
Five-Year Prediction: Frazier (2023), Norby (2024-27)
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Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
Present: Christian Arroyo (Age: 27)
A former top prospect in the San Francisco Giants organization, Arroyo finally found success at the MLB level last season. Over a career-high 300 plate appearances, he hit .286/.322/.414 for a 103 OPS+ with 23 extra-base hits and 36 RBI. After filling more of a utility role last season, he's the favorite to break camp as the starting second baseman while Enrique Hernández fills in at shortstop for the injured Trevor Story.
Future: Nick Yorke (Tier 2)
The Red Sox seemingly reached for Yorke with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2020 draft after he was ranked No. 96 on Baseball America's Top 500 draft prospect list. He had middling numbers at High-A Greenville last year, but he boosted his stock when he hit .342/.424/.526 with 10 extra-base hits in 19 games in the Arizona Fall League.
Five-Year Prediction: Arroyo (2023), Yorke (2024-27)
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
Present: Nico Hoerner (Age: 25)
Hoerner enjoyed a breakout 2022 season, posting a 107 OPS+ with 37 extra-base hits, 20 steals and 4.5 WAR in 135 games. After serving as the everyday shortstop last year, he will now shift to second base after Dansby Swanson was signed to a massive seven-year, $177 million contract in free agency. He is under club control through 2025 but will be an extension candidate if he continues to produce at last year's levels.
Future: Chase Strumpf (Tier 3)
The Cubs selected Strumpf in the second round of the 2019 draft after a standout collegiate career at UCLA. The 24-year-old showed some power (45 XBH, 21 HR) and on-base ability (.379 OBP, 15.0 BB%) last year at Double-A, but he also struck out a staggering 162 times in 116 games for a 33.3 percent strikeout rate.
Five-Year Prediction: Hoerner (2023-27)
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
Present: Elvis Andrus (Age: 34)
Andrus posted a 116 OPS+ with 17 extra-base hits and 1.8 WAR in 43 games filling in for an injured Tim Anderson last year after he was cut loose by the Oakland Athletics to avoid a vesting option. Entering his 15th MLB season, he needs just three more hits to reach 2,000 for his career, and he was brought back on a one-year, $3 million deal earlier this month.
Future: Jose Rodriguez (Tier 3)
An under-the-radar acquisition for just $50,000 during the 2018 international signing window, Rodriguez has quickly climbed the ladder since making his stateside debut in 2021. The 21-year-old hit .280/.340/.430 with 21 doubles, 11 home runs, 68 RBI and 40 steals in 104 games at Double-A last season while splitting his time between second base and shortstop.
Five-Year Prediction: Andrus (2023), Rodriguez (2024-27)
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
Present: Jonathan India (Age: 26)
India played his way into the starting second base job during spring training in 2021 and ended up winning NL Rookie of the Year honors by posting a 116 OPS+ with 34 doubles, 21 home runs, 69 RBI and 3.9 WAR in 150 games. Nagging injuries limited him to 103 games last season, and his numbers were down when he was able to take the field, but he still stands as a long-term building block with club control through 2026.
Future: Matt McLain (Tier 2)
The first college infielder taken in the 2021 draft at No. 17 overall, McLain hit .232/.363/.453 with 21 doubles, 17 home runs, 58 RBI, 67 runs scored and 27 steals in 103 games at Double-A last season. He is behind Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo on the organizational depth chart among middle infielders, but he has a high floor as a utility player and could get the first crack at the second base job if India ever shifts to his natural spot at the hot corner.
Five-Year Prediction: India (2023-26), McLain (2027)
Cleveland Guardians
8 of 30
Present: Andrés Giménez (Age: 24)
One of the biggest breakout stars of the 2022 season, Giménez raised his OPS more than 200 points while hitting .297/.371/.466 with 26 doubles, 17 home runs, 69 RBI, 66 runs scored, 20 steals and 7.4 WAR to finish sixth in AL MVP voting. He could shift to shortstop if Amed Rosario walks in free agency after the 2023 season, but regardless of where he lines up defensively, he is controllable through 2026 with plenty of early extension appeal.
Future: Angel Martinez (Tier 3)
Martinez hit .278/.378/.471 with 40 extra-base hits in 101 games last season while reaching Double-A at the age of 20. He has played second base, shortstop and third base in the minors, and he could be the second baseman of the future if Brayan Rocchio continues to be developed as a shortstop.
Five-Year Prediction: Giménez (2023-27)
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
Present: Brendan Rodgers (Age: 26)
Rodgers won a Gold Glove and posted a 4.3-WAR season last year, and while he tallied 30 doubles, 13 home runs and 63 RBI offensively, that equaled just a 96 OPS+ since he was playing his home games at Coors Field. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft is controllable through the 2025 season, and the Rockies have not been great about retaining their homegrown talent.
Future: Adael Amador (Tier 1)
In almost any other organization, Amador would be the shortstop of the future, but with Ezequiel Tovar ahead of him on the present and future depth chart, he will likely slide over to second base. The 19-year-old hit .292/.415/.445 with 24 doubles, 15 home runs, 57 RBI and 26 steals in 115 games at Single-A last year in his full-season debut.
Five-Year Prediction: Rodgers (2023-25), Amador (2026-27)
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
Present: Jonathan Schoop (Age: 31)
Schoop is entering the second season of a two-year, $15 million deal, and the former All-Star is coming off the worst performance of his career with a .202/.239/.322 line and 62 OPS+ in 131 games. He had a 109 OPS+ with 30 doubles, 22 home runs and 84 RBI in 2021, so there is reason for optimism that he will bounce back.
Future: Jace Jung (Tier 1)
I previously mentioned Jung as a potential option at first base if Spencer Torkelson fails to put things together, but his natural position is second base. The No. 12 overall pick in 2022 hit .328/.468/.647 as a three-year starter at Texas Tech, and he appears to be on the fast track after making his pro debut at High-A West Michigan.
Five-Year Prediction: Schoop (2023), Free Agent (2024), Jung (2025-27)
Houston Astros
11 of 30
Present: José Altuve (Age: 32)
Altuve currently has two years and $58 million remaining on his current contract, and there seems to be mutual interest in assuring that he spends his entire career in an Astros uniform. He hit .300/.387/.533 for a 160 OPS+ with 39 doubles, 28 home runs and 5.1 WAR last season, so he is showing no signs of slowing down on the other side of 30.
Future: Pedro León (Tier 3)
Signed for $4 million in 2021 after he defected from Cuba, León has thus far not lived up to the hype stateside. The 24-year-old hit .228 with a 28.8 percent strikeout rate last season at Triple-A, and now he could miss the start of the 2023 season after undergoing sports hernia surgery in January. He has seen time at both middle infield spots and in center field.
Five-Year Prediction: Altuve (2023-27)
Kansas City Royals
12 of 30
Present: Michael Massey (Age: 24)
Massey hit .312/.371/.532 with 44 extra-base hits in 87 games in the upper levels of the minors last season before making his MLB debut on July 15. He held his own in his first MLB action with a 93 OPS+ and 0.7 WAR in 52 games, and with club control through the 2028 season, he looks like the second baseman of the present and future.
Future: Peyton Wilson (Tier 3)
A second-round pick in the 2021 draft, Wilson hit .268/.359/.456 with 16 doubles, 14 home runs, 44 RBI and 23 steals in 88 games at High-A last year while splitting his time between second base and center field. The younger brother of former Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson has a high floor as a versatile utility player with some pop.
Five-Year Prediction: Massey (2023-27)
Los Angeles Angels
13 of 30
Present: Brandon Drury (Age: 30)
Drury turned a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds last offseason into a two-year, $17 million payday from the Angels this winter following a 28-homer, 87-RBI, 2.6-WAR season that won him the Silver Slugger award for utility players. He can handle second base and third base on an everyday basis and looks to be the everyday option at the keystone to start the 2023 campaign. Versatile Luis Rengifo is coming off a breakout season offensively and will also see time all over the infield.
Future: Denzer Guzman (Tier 3)
With 2022 first-round pick Zach Neto looking like the shortstop of the future for the Angels, Guzman could be headed for a move to second base. He reached Single-A last season at the age of 18 after signing for $2 million during the 2021 international signing period, and he has the pure hitting ability to develop into a top prospect and future everyday player.
Five-Year Prediction: Drury (2023-24), Rengifo (2025), Guzman (2026-27)
Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
Present: Miguel Vargas (Age: 23)
Vargas is one of baseball's top prospects, and he will have every opportunity to break camp as the starting second baseman after hitting .304/.404/.511 with 32 doubles, 17 home runs and 82 RBI in 113 games at Triple-A last season before making his MLB debut in August. Trade pickup Miguel Rojas will provide depth at second base and shortstop.
Future: Michael Busch (Tier 1)
While Vargas could potentially be the long-term answer at second base, he could also shift back to his natural position of third base in 2024 when veteran Max Muncy no longer has a guaranteed contract. That would open up second base for Busch, who posted an .881 OPS with 38 doubles, 32 home runs and 108 RBI in 142 games between Double-A and Triple-A.
Five-Year Prediction: Vargas (2023), Busch (2024-27)
Miami Marlins
15 of 30
Present: Luis Arraez (Age: 25)
The Marlins traded right-hander Pablo López and his two remaining years of club control along with prospects Byron Chourio and Jose Salas to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Arraez in January. The 2022 AL batting title winner hit .316/.375/.420 for a 130 OPS+ while tallying just 43 strikeouts in 603 plate appearances en route to his first All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger win.
Future: Kahlil Watson (Tier 3)
Watson was in the conversation to go No. 1 overall in the 2021 draft before slipping to the Marlins at No. 16 overall. The 19-year-old hit just .233/.306/.406 with a 35.1 percent strikeout rate in 88 games between rookie ball and Single-A last year, but the physical tools are still there for him to develop into an impact player up the middle once he has a chance to develop.
Five-Year Prediction: Arraez (2023-24), Watson (2025-27)
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
Present: Luis Urías (Age: 25)
The Brewers could go with Urías at second base and free-agent signing Brian Anderson at third base for the upcoming season, but Anderson has something to prove after a down season that ended with him being non-tendered by the Miami Marlins. If Anderson struggles this spring, Urías becomes the guy at the hot corner and a handful of in-house candidates— including Abraham Toro, Owen Miller and top prospect Brice Turang—will duke it out at second base.
Future: Brice Turang (Tier 2)
Turang could quickly emerge as the front-runner to win the starting second base job if Urías winds up at the hot corner. The 23-year-old hit .286/.360/.412 with 24 doubles, 13 home runs, 78 RBI, 89 runs scored and 34 steals in 131 games at Triple-A last season, so he has little left to prove in the minors.
Five-Year Prediction: Turang (2023-27)
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
Present: Jorge Polanco (Age: 29)
Polanco enjoyed a career year in 2021 with a 125 OPS+ and 33 home runs in a 4.9-WAR season. Those numbers leveled off a bit last year, but he still posted a 117 OPS+ with 16 doubles, 16 home runs, 56 RBI and 2.8 WAR in 104 games. He has a $10.5 million option for 2024 that vests with 550 plate appearances and a $12 million club option for 2025.
Future: Edouard Julien (Tier 1)
Julien hit .300/.441/.490 with 19 doubles, 17 home runs, 67 RBI and 19 steals in 113 games at Double-A last season, then continued to raise his profile with a star turn in the Arizona Fall League that included a .400/.563/.686 line in 96 plate appearances. The 23-year-old should be ready for his first taste of the big leagues early in 2023, and he can play all over the field.
Five-Year Prediction: Polanco (2023-24), Julien (2025-27)
New York Mets
18 of 30
Present: Jeff McNeil (Age: 30)
McNeil rebounded from a down year in 2021 to win the NL batting title last season, hitting .326/.382/.454 with 39 doubles, nine home runs, 62 RBI and 5.7 WAR in 148 games. The Mets signed him to a four-year, $50 million extension in January that could keep him in New York through the 2027 season if a $15.8 million club option is exercised.
Future: Jett Williams (Tier 2)
With advanced bat-to-ball skills, plus speed and solid defensive actions up the middle, Williams was one of the top high school players in the 2022 draft class, and he went No. 14 overall to the Mets. The 5'8" spark plug could also be a fit in center field if the team decides to move him off the dirt, but for now, second base is his most likely long-term home.
Five-Year Prediction: McNeil (2023-27)
New York Yankees
19 of 30
Present: Gleyber Torres (Age: 26)
Torres is still chasing the 38-homer season he had as a 22-year-old in 2019, but a full-time move to second base helped him post a career-high 4.1 WAR last year. A defensive liability at shortstop, he posted strong defensive metrics (9 DRS, 4.8 UZR/150) at the keystone, and he added a 114 OPS+ with 24 home runs and 76 RBI. Free agency is right around the corner after the 2024 season.
Future: Anthony Volpe (Tier 1)
The top prospect in the Yankees system following a breakout 2021 season, Volpe continued to impress in the upper levels of the minors last year. The 21-year-old posted an .802 OPS with 35 doubles, 21 home runs, 65 RBI and 50 steals in 132 games last season, and his MLB debut should come during the upcoming season. Oswald Peraza is viewed as the superior defender at shortstop, so Volpe will likely shift to second base in the majors.
Five-Year Prediction: Torres (2023), Volpe (2024-27)
Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
Present: Tony Kemp (Age: 31)
Kemp was a 3.4-WAR player in 2021, but his numbers dropped across the board last season as he posted an 88 OPS+ over a career-high 558 plate appearances. On-base ability and defensive versatility are his most valuable tools, and he fits best as a utility player on a contending team. He will be a free agent following the 2023 season.
Future: Zack Gelof (Tier 2)
Gelof was highlighted as a potential future option at third base earlier in this series, and that's where he played at the University of Virginia, but second base was his primary position last year. The 23-year-old hit .270/.352/.463 with 37 extra-base hits in 96 games between Double-A and Triple-A last year, and he could debut in 2023.
Five-Year Prediction: Kemp (2023), Gelof (2024-27)
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
Present: Bryson Stott (Age: 25)
Stott bounced around the infield during his rookie season before closing out the year as Philadelphia's starting shortstop, tallying 19 doubles, 10 home runs, 12 steals and 1.3 WAR in 127 games. With veteran second baseman Jean Segura gone and shortstop Trea Turner signed to a massive deal in free agency, he will slide over to second base for the 2023 season.
Future: Hao-Yu Lee (Tier 3)
Lee raised his prospect profile in 2022 by hitting .284/.386/.438 with 26 extra-base hits and 14 steals over 79 games in his first full professional season.
"There's some buzz around Lee's name as someone who might be a better all-around prospect than anticipated, one who could develop into a solid offensive-minded regular at second base," wrote MLB.com.
Five-Year Prediction: Stott (2023-27)
Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
Present: Rodolfo Castro (Age: 23)
Ranked as the No. 20 prospect in the Pittsburgh system at the start of last season, Castro showed some intriguing power in the majors with a 102 OPS+ and 11 home runs in 71 games. He also hit just .233 with a .299 on-base percentage and 26.6 percent strikeout rate, and he will need to hold off fellow up-and-comer Ji Hwan Bae this spring.
Future: Termarr Johnson (Tier 1)
With one of the best hit tools to come out of the prep ranks in years, Johnson went No. 4 overall in the 2022 draft and inked an above-slot $7.2 million bonus. His pro debut was a forgettable one, but his 70-hit, 60-power offensive profile gives him the potential to emerge as a bona fide star in the coming years for the rebuilding Pirates.
Five-Year Prediction: Castro (2023-25), Johnson (2026-27)
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
Present: Ha-Seong Kim (Age: 27)
With Xander Bogaerts signed to play shortstop and Jake Cronenworth shifting to first base, Kim is now the guy at second base after doing an excellent job filling in for Fernando Tatis Jr. at shortstop last year. The former KBO standout logged a 107 OPS+ with 29 doubles, 11 home runs, 59 RBI and 5.1 WAR last season, and he has two years remaining on his four-year, $28 million contract with a mutual option for 2025.
Future: Jackson Merrill (Tier 1)
Merrill is now the top prospect in the San Diego system, and while he has played exclusively shortstop since going No. 27 overall in the 2021 draft, a move to second base is inevitable after Bogaerts inked an 11-year deal. Merrill, 19, hit .339/.395/.511 over 55 games during an injury-shortened 2022 campaign.
Five-Year Prediction: Kim (2023-24), Merrill (2025-27)
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
Present: Thairo Estrada (Age: 27)
Estrada took over as San Francisco's starting second baseman last year and posted a 103 OPS+ with 22 doubles, 14 home runs, 62 RBI and 21 steals in a 1.6-WAR season. Poor defensive metrics (-12 DRS, -3.9 UZR/150) undercut his overall value, and improving that part of his game will be the next step in his development.
Future: Aeverson Arteaga (Tier 2)
Arguably the best defensive shortstop in the San Francisco system, Arteaga might have to shift to second base in deference to top prospect Marco Luciano. The 19-year-old batted .270/.345/.431 with 35 doubles, 14 home runs and 84 RBI in 122 games at Single-A last year, and he'll move quickly through the minors if he continues to hit.
Five-Year Prediction: Estrada (2023-24), Arteaga (2025-27)
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
Present: Kolten Wong (Age: 32)
The Mariners sent Jesse Winker and Abraham Toro to Milwaukee to acquire Wong at the beginning of December, plugging a glaring hole at second base. The two-time Gold Glove winner is entering the final season of a three-year, $26 million deal, and he had a career-high 118 OPS+ with 15 home runs and 17 steals in a 3.1-WAR season last year.
Future: Michael Arroyo (Tier 3)
Arroyo inked a $1.4 million bonus during the 2022 international signing window, and he hit .314/.457/.484 with 16 extra-base hits in 49 games in the Dominican Summer League. His stateside debut will be one of the most anticipated of 2023 for the Mariners, and he could develop into an impactful offensive-minded middle infielder.
Five-Year Prediction: Wong (2023), Free Agent (2024-27)
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
Present: Brendan Donovan (Age: 26)
Donovan finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting and won the new utility player Gold Glove last season when he hit .281/.394/.379 for a 126 OPS+ and played double-digit games at first base, second base, third base and both corner outfield spots. Assuming Tommy Edman is going to be the full-time shortstop, Donovan could settle in as the primary second baseman, though slugger Nolan Gorman is also in the mix.
Future: Jonathan Mejia (Tier 3)
The Cardinals spent $2 million to sign Mejia out of the Dominican Republic last January, and he posted an .897 OPS with 22 extra-base hits in 45 games in the Dominican Summer League. The 17-year-old is expected to stay on the infield, though his physical development will determine where he ultimately lands on the defensive spectrum.
Five-Year Prediction: Donovan (2023-27)
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
Present: Brandon Lowe (Age: 28)
After back-to-back top-10 finishes in AL MVP voting, Lowe was limited to just 65 games last season while dealing with back and triceps injuries. Just a year removed from a 39-homer, 99-RBI campaign, he will be a prime candidate for AL Comeback Player of the Year honors. The six-year, $24 million early extension he signed could keep him around through 2026 if a pair of club options are exercised.
Future: Jonathan Aranda (Tier N/A)
Aranda is technically no longer a prospect based on the time he spent on the active roster last season, but with just 87 plate appearances in the majors, he fits into the future plans discussion. The 24-year-old hit .298/.377/.452 over six seasons in the minors, and he can play all over the infield. Top prospect Curtis Mead could also be a factor at second base, though third base is his primary position.
Five-Year Prediction: Lowe (2023-26), Aranda (2027)
Texas Rangers
28 of 30
Present: Marcus Semien (Age: 32)
In the first season of his seven-year, $175 million contract, Semien led the Rangers with 5.9 WAR even after getting off to a slow start at the plate. He had an .810 OPS with 25 home runs in 114 games from June 1 through the end of the season, and he was an AL Gold Glove finalist once again after winning the award in his first season as an everyday second baseman in 2021.
Future: Justin Foscue (Tier 2)
Foscue hit .288/.367/.483 with 31 doubles, 15 home runs and 81 RBI in 101 games at Double-A last season, and he has been a steady performer at the plate since going No. 14 overall in the 2020 draft. With Semien blocking his path, he saw some time at third base last year, and the 23-year-old could debut as a super-utility player in 2023.
Five-Year Prediction: Semien (2023-27)
Toronto Blue Jays
29 of 30
Present: Whit Merrifield (Age: 34)
What does Merrifield have left in the tank? The 2022 deadline pickup had the worst season of his career at the plate last year, hitting .250 with a .298 on-base percentage after entering the year as a career .291/.337/.434 hitter. He is in the final guaranteed season of his contract with a mutual option for 2024. Cavan Biggio and 2022 All-Star Santiago Espinal are also options at second base if he continues to struggle or when he sees time in the outfield.
Future: Cade Doughty (Tier 3)
A standout performer in the SEC as a sophomore and junior, Doughty hit .272/.370/.495 with 11 extra-base hits in 26 games at Single-A last year after signing as a second-round pick in the 2022 draft. With average-or-better tools across the board and experience playing all over the infield, he could start his MLB career as a utility player, though he profiles best at second base.
Five-Year Prediction: Merrifield (2023), Espinal (2024), Doughty (2025-27)
Washington Nationals
30 of 30
Present: Luis Garcia (Age: 22)
After starting the 2022 season in the minors, Garcia was called up at the start of June, and he hit .327 with an .817 OPS in 107 plate appearances during his first month back in the big leagues. The 22-year-old has shown some intriguing flashes since making his MLB debut as a 20-year-old in 2020, but he is still trying to settle in as an everyday player.
Future: Jeter Downs (Tier 3)
A former top prospect in the Red Sox system who was one of the centerpieces of the Mookie Betts blockbuster trade with the Dodgers, Downs has seen his prospect star fade considerably, and he was designated for assignment in December. The Nationals bought low with a waiver claim, and he is now an interesting reclamation project entering his age-24 season.
Five-Year Prediction: Garcia (2023-27)
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