B/R's MLB 30 in '30 Predicting the Best Second Basemen in 2030
Welcome to the Bleacher Report MLB 30 in '30 series, where we look ahead five years to the 2030 season and predict who will be the 30 best players at each position.
Up next, second basemen.
It can be difficult to project who will end up starring at second base years down the line, as it's often shortstop prospects who have slid down the defensive spectrum or been forced to the other side of second base by an incumbent star at the shortstop position. Jackson Holliday is a prime example, as he was drafted and developed as a shortstop before shifting to second base in the majors.
Offensive and defensive tools were both considered when assessing a player's outlook five years down the line, but this was ultimately a largely subjective exercise based on projection.
Before we dive into the 30 in '30, a nod to some current stars who are expected to age out of stardom or change positions before the 2030 season arrives.
Catch up on the B/R 30 in '30 series: Catchers, First Basemen, Shortstops, Third Basemen
Notable Veteran Omissions
1 of 11
The following veterans were excluded from the rankings under the assumption that age regression will have removed them from the Top 30 at the position:
Ozzie Albies, ATL (33)
Jose Altuve, HOU (40)
Jake Cronenworth, SD (36)
Jose Iglesias, SD (40)
Brandon Lowe, TB (35)
Ketel Marte, ARI (36)
Jeff McNeil, NYM (38)
Marcus Semien, TEX (39)
Nos. 30-26
2 of 11
30. Termarr Johnson, Pittsburgh Pirates
2030 Age: 26
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 draft on the strength of a 70-grade hit tool that was hyped as one of the best in recent memory by a prep prospect, Johnson has yet to fully realize his potential in the minors, but he is also still only 20 years old. He hit .237/.366/.386 with 35 extra-base hits and a 15.6 percent walk rate in 124 games between High-A and Double-A last year.
29. Max Muncy, Las Vegas Athletics
2030 Age: 27
No, not that Max Muncy. The Athletics selected the California prep standout with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2021 draft, and after a slow start to his pro career, he posted an .866 OPS with 20 extra-base hits in 50 games at Triple-A last season. An injury to Zack Gelof opened the door for him to make the 2025 Opening Day roster, and while he hit just .176/.211/.279 in 71 plate appearances before he was optioned back to the minors, he still has everyday player upside.
28. Juan Brito, Cleveland Guardians
2030 Age: 28
The Guardians acquired Brito in the deal that sent Nolan Jones to the Rockies, and after a breakout 2023 season he hit .256/.365/.443 with 41 doubles, 20 home runs and 84 RBI in 144 games at Triple-A last season. He got a long look for the starting second base job during spring training, and he is off to a strong start again this year at the highest level of the minors, which should pave the way for his MLB debut in the near future.
27. Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs
2030 Age: 33
With 22 Defensive Runs Saved since the start of the 2023 season, Hoerner is one of baseball's elite defensive second basemen, and he also has a modest 99 OPS+ over 2,407 plate appearances in the majors. If he loses a step defensively his value will plummet, but he could still be an everyday second baseman into his mid-30s. Free agency awaits after the 2026 season as he plays out a three-year, $35 million deal.
26. Thomas Saggese, St. Louis Cardinals
2030 Age: 28
The Cardinals acquired Saggese in the 2023 deadline deal that sent Jordan Montgomery to the eventual World Series champion Rangers. An offensive-minded middle infielder, he hit .253/.313/.438 with 23 doubles, 20 home runs and 67 RBI in 126 games at Triple-A last season. He is hitting .341 in 44 plate appearances in the majors this year, but without a clear path to everyday at-bats, the Cardinals are keeping him in the minors for the time being.
Nos. 25-21
3 of 11
25. James Triantos, Chicago Cubs
2030 Age: 27
A bat-first prospect without a clear defensive home, Triantos has settled in as a second baseman while still making the occasional start in center field. After a breakout performance in the 2023 Arizona Fall League, he hit .300/.346/.427 with 36 extra-base hits and 47 steals in 115 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season. He will go as far as his bat carries him.
24. Nick Gonzales, Pittsburgh Pirates
2030 Age: 31
Gonzales hit a gaudy .448/.610/1.155 with 12 home runs in 16 games at New Mexico State during the abridged 2020 season before going No. 7 overall to the Pirates. He got his first extended look in the majors last year and hit .270/.311/.398 with 29 extra-base hits in 387 plate appearances.
23. Luisangel Acuña, New York Mets
2030 Age: 28
Acuña established himself as a top prospect in the Rangers system before he was traded to the Mets as part of the salary dump deal that sent Max Scherzer the other way at the 2023 deadline. He posted a 168 OPS+ in 40 plate appearances while filling in for an injured Francisco Lindor down the stretch last year, and is now part of a crowded second base picture that also includes Brett Baty and Jeff McNeil. He doesn't have much pop, but his hit tool, speed and glove give him a high value floor.
22. Luke Keaschall, Minnesota Twins
2030 Age: 27
The Twins have shown a knack for developing offensive-minded utility players, and Keaschall is their latest success story following a breakout 2024 season where he hit .303/.420/.483 with 37 extra-base hits and 23 steals in 103 games between High-A and Double-A. The 2023 second-round pick could continue to bounce around defensively to get his bat in the lineup, but second base is his most natural defensive fit.
21. Andrés Giménez, Toronto Blue Jays
2030 Age: 31
One of the key prospect pieces in the deal that sent Francisco Lindor to the Mets, Giménez racked up 16.4 WAR in Cleveland over the last three seasons while capturing three straight AL Gold Gloves. He was traded to the Blue Jays in December and is in the third season of a seven-year, $106.5 million deal. There is not much meat on the bone offensively, but he should still be a plus defender in his early 30s.
.jpg?w=256 "Twins Royals Baseball")
Nos. 20-16
4 of 11
20. Demetrio Crisantes, Arizona Diamondbacks
2030 Age: 25
The D-backs plucked Crisantes from their own backyard when they selected the Nogales High School product in the seventh round of the 2022 draft, and he is shaping up to be one of the steals of his draft class. He hit .341/.429/.492 with 36 extra-base hits and 30 steals in 92 games last season while making his Single-A debut as a teenager, and he now looks like the heir to Ketel Marte at second base.
19. Felnin Celesten, Seattle Mariners
2030 Age: 24
The Mariners are loaded with young middle infield talent, and with Cole Young and Colt Emerson looking like the future on the left side of the infield, Celesten could end up shifting to second base if he is not used as a trade chip. Signed for $4.7 million as one of the top 2023 international prospects, he hit .352/.431/.568 over 144 plate appearances in rookie ball last year, and he is off to a similarly impressive start in his Single-A debut.
18. Luis García Jr., Washington Nationals
2030 Age: 30
García made his MLB debut shortly after his 20th birthday during the 2020 season, and after years of inconsistently flashing his potential, he finally put together a true breakout season in 2024. He hit .282/.318/.444 for a 114 OPS+ with 25 doubles, 18 home runs, 70 RBI and 2.2 WAR in 140 games, and his early arrival in the big leagues means he will hit free agency for the first time following his age-27 campaign in 2027.
17. Bryson Stott, Philadelphia Phillies
2030 Age: 32
Stott broke into the big leagues in 2022 and took over as the starting shortstop for a contending Phillies team before shifting to second base after Trea Turner was brought aboard in free agency. He took a step backward last year after a 4.3-WAR season in 2023, but still provided a nice mix of power (32 XBH, 11 HR), speed (32 SB) and defense (7 DRS) in a 2.2-WAR campaign.
16. Sal Stewart, Cincinnati Reds
2030 Age: 26
Stewart hit .279/.391/.454 with 32 extra-base hits in 80 games at High-A last season to solidify his status as a top-tier prospect, though a wrist injury limited him to just 80 games. The No. 32 overall pick in the 2022 draft is off to a terrific start at Double-A, hitting .319/.384/.444 with 14 extra-base hits and 10 steals in 38 games. He is playing primarily third base this year, but has also seen time at second base and that could be his long-term home with Noelvi Marte and Cam Collier as options at the hot corner.
Nos. 15-11
5 of 11
15. Hyeseong Kim, Los Angeles Dodgers
2030 Age: 31
Kim spent eight seasons in the KBO before he was posted this past offseason, including a 2024 campaign where he hit .326/.383/.458 with 26 doubles, 11 home runs, 75 RBI and 30 steals in 127 games for the Kiwoom Heroes. The Dodgers signed him to a three-year, $12.5 million deal, and after spending the first month of the season in the minors, he is hitting .452/.485/.581 in 14 games since making his MLB debut on May 3.
14. Brooks Lee, Minnesota Twins
2030 Age: 29
Lee has bounced between second base, shortstop and third base since making his MLB debut last summer, and the Twins value versatility so that could continue in the coming years, especially if Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis continue to be frequent visitors to the injured list. The No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 draft hit .289/.360/.476 over 874 plate appearances in the minors, and he is capable of that level of production with solid glove work in the big leagues.
13. Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers
2030 Age: 33
Torres sent expectations soaring when he launched 38 home runs in his age-22 season with the Yankees, and while he never matched that level of production, he has since developed into a solid everyday second baseman. He joined the Tigers on a one-year, $15 million deal during the offseason, and he could be positioning himself for a nice multi-year payday with a 134 OPS+ in 151 plate appearances for one of baseball's best teams.
12. Gavin Kilen, University of Tennessee (2025 Draft)
2030 Age: 26
Kilen transferred to Tennessee from Louisville following the 2024 season, and he has effectively replaced 2024 first-round pick Christian Moore in the middle of the Volunteers lineup. He is hitting .355/.438/.692 with 14 home runs, 37 RBI and more walks (24) than strikeouts (21), and he should be one of the first college bats off the board in the 2025 draft. He has played some shortstop, but his arm fits better at second base.
11. Matt McLain, Cincinnati Reds
2030 Age: 30
McLain burst onto the scene with a .290/.357/.507 line and 3.6 WAR in 89 games as a rookie in 2023, but he missed the entire 2024 season recovering from shoulder surgery and he has been slow to shake off the rust in his return this year. His solid track record pre-injury and first-round pedigree still make it easy to bet on him eventually returning to form and developing into a cornerstone player alongside Elly De La Cruz.
Nos. 10-6
6 of 11
10. Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays
2030 Age: 32
Bichette has been a below-average defensive shortstop throughout his career, and a shift across the bag to second base during the second half of his career is a very real possibility. After posting the worst numbers of his career during an injury-plagued 2024 season, he has bounced back with a .292/.341/.431 line and 119 OPS+ over 46 games. Can he still land a nine-figure deal in free agency with his first trip to the open market awaiting this winter?
9. Michael Arroyo, Seattle Mariners
2030 Age: 25
One of the most productive hitters across all minor league levels last year, Arroyo hit .285/.400/.509 with 26 doubles, 23 home runs and 89 RBI in 121 games between Single-A and High-A. With a 55-hit, 55-power offensive profile and enough athleticism to be a threat on the bases and a quality defender at second base,
8. Jazz Chisholm Jr., New York Yankees
2030 Age: 32
Chisholm has flashed 30/30 potential since debuting with an 18-homer, 23-steal rookie season in 2021, but his development has been sidetracked by injuries more than once. He played a career-high 147 games last year and posted a 108 OPS+ with 21 doubles, 24 home runs, 73 RBI, 40 steals and 2.7 WAR, giving the Yankees offense a major boost after coming over in a deadline trade with the Marlins. This ranking is banking on better health and everything finally clicking in the coming years.
7. Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers
2030 Age: 30
Turang won 2024 NL Platinum Glove honors, posting elite defensive metrics (22 DRS) and making his share of highlight-reel plays. There was some thought to moving him to shortstop after Willy Adames departed in free agency, and that move could still come in the future, but for now we'll assume he sticks at second base. He also swiped 50 bases in 2024, and has a career-high 117 OPS+ through 187 plate appearances so far this season.
6. Kevin McGonigle, Detroit Tigers
2030 Age: 25
McGonigle has just 102 games under his belt since going No. 37 overall in the 2023 draft, but he has quickly established himself as one of the best pure hitters in the minors leagues. He hit .309/.401/.452 with 25 extra-base hits, 22 steals and far more walks (46) than strikeouts (28) in 74 games between Single-A and High-A last year, and he could see Double-A this year in his age-20 campaign.
5. Christian Moore, Los Angeles Angels
7 of 11
2030 Age: 27
After slugging 27 home runs during his first two seasons at the University of Tennessee, Christian Moore was one of college baseball's most productive hitters for the eventual national champions last year.
He hit .375/.451/.797 with 19 doubles, 34 home runs and 74 RBI in 72 games, then capped off a terrific year with a .984 OPS in 110 plate appearances between Single-A and Double-A to kick off his pro career.
His defensive game is still developing and he might end up fitting best in left field, but for now he is taking the bulk of his reps at second base. He could make his MLB debut there later this year if he gets hot in the minors, with an underperforming Tim Anderson unlikely to stand in his way.
4. JJ Wetherholt, St. Louis Cardinals
8 of 11
2030 Age: 27
JJ Wetherholt entered his junior season at West Virginia as a candidate to go No. 1 overall in the 2024 draft following a sophomore campaign where he hit .449/.517/.787 with 24 doubles, 16 home runs, 60 RBI and 36 steals in 55 games.
A nagging hamstring issue limited him to 36 games and cut into his production last spring, and he ended up slipping to No. 7 overall as a result, but he still has a 65-hit, 55-power, 60-speed offensive profile that could make him a future star.
Sent to Double-A to begin his first full season in the minors, he is hitting .296/.383/.449 in 115 plate appearances and making a strong case for an early promotion to the highest level of the minors. He is playing primarily shortstop right now, but with Masyn Winn blocking his path, his future defensive home is second base.
3. Travis Bazzana, Cleveland Guardians
9 of 11
2030 Age: 27
A three-year starter at Oregon State, Travis Bazzana played his way to being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft by hitting .407/.568/.911 with 28 home runs, 66 RBI, 16 steals and more than twice as many walks (76) as strikeouts (37) last spring.
His compact left-handed swing and advanced approach give him an elite 70-grade hit tool, and his bat speed and ability to consistently find the barrel give him more potential than his 6'0", 199-pound frame might suggest.
It's not a coincidence that the Guardians traded away Andrés Giménez a few months after selecting Bazzana, and a late-2025 debut is not out of the question with an eye on staking his claim to the starting second base job in 2026.
2. Jackson Holliday, Baltimore Orioles
10 of 11
2030 Age: 26
Development is not always linear, with Mike Trout often pointed to as a prime example of a player who did not immediately find success at the MLB level before eventually developing into a superstar.
Jackson Holliday began the 2024 season as the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball, but landed in the big leagues with a thud, ultimately hitting .189/.255/.311 over 60 games while spending a significant chunk of the year back in the minors.
Still only 21 years old, he has seemingly turned a corner in the early going this year, hitting .275/.338/.449 for a 127 OPS+ with 11 extra-base hits in 151 plate appearances while seeing time in the leadoff spot in the lineup.
A .323/.442/.499 hitter with 51 extra-base hits in 125 games during his last full season in the minors in 2023, he is still capable of a few more steps forward in the coming years.
1. Kristian Campbell, Boston Red Sox
11 of 11
2030 Age: 28
Kristian Campbell was a fourth-round pick out of Georgia Tech in the 2023 draft, with 131 players taken ahead of him, including four by the Red Sox who selected Kyle Teel with their first-round pick.
A year later, he was the biggest breakout prospect in the sport, on his way to hitting .330/.439/.558 with 32 doubles, 20 home runs, 77 RBI and 24 steals in 115 games across three minor league levels to close out his first full pro season at Triple-A Worcester.
He won the starting second base job during spring training and got off to a red-hot start before slumping a bit, but he checks all the boxes to be a perennial All-Star and franchise cornerstone for the Red Sox. The front office made that abundantly clear in April, signing him to an eight-year, $60 million extension that could keep him in Boston through the 2034 season if a pair of club options are exercised.
The 22-year-old has been taking some reps at first base as the Red Sox search for a replacement for Triston Casas, but a future infield with Casas at first, Campbell at second, Franklin Arias at shortstop and Marcelo Mayer at third base could be the best in baseball.
.jpg?w=480 "Twins Royals Baseball")
.jpg?w=600 "Biggest Winners and Losers After 30 Games ⚾")
