As we take a look at the RotoProspects fantasy baseball rankings and projections, we see that the second base position in fantasy baseball is often one of the most versatile, featuring players who contribute across multiple categories. The 2026 season’s group sees just three players making up the first two tiers, but the third tier has a couple of under-25 players ready to energize the position.
Here at RotoProspects, we provide 2026 Second Base Fantasy Baseball Rankings and Projections, broken into tiers. You can check out the entire list of the top 50 second basemen, broken into eight different tiers, by clicking here (subscription required).
Here’s a quick look at the first two tiers.
Tier 1: Two titans lead the way at the top
1. Jazz Chisholm (NYY): Chisholm (pictured above) has ascended to the top of the rankings after a massive 31/31 season, proving that his power-speed toolkit is perfectly optimized for Yankee Stadium. While his strikeout rate remains a factor for his batting average, his rare ability to anchor both home runs and stolen bases makes him the most dynamic asset at the keystone.
2. Ketel Marte (ARI): The most consistent pure hitter at the position, Marte enters 2026 coming off a season where his .913 OPS trailed only the league’s most elite bats. He provides an unmatched floor in AVG and OBP for the position, making him the ideal target for managers who prefer bankable four-category production over stolen base volatility.
| TIER 1 – PROJECTIONS | Age | PA | HR | R | RBI | SB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| 1. Jazz Chisholm, NYY | 28 | 596 | 27 | 79 | 80 | 33 | .242 | .321 | .449 | .770 |
| 2. Ketel Marte, Ari | 32 | 626 | 27 | 88 | 86 | 5 | .275 | .361 | .499 | .860 |
Tier 2: One guy who fills up the stat sheet
3. Brice Turang (MIL): Turang was the breakout story of 2025, trading some of his 50-steal speed for a significant power surge that saw him reach 18 home runs and nearly 100 runs scored. His improved hard-hit metrics and bat speed suggest these gains are sustainable, offering a unique “power-speed hybrid” profile that sits just a step below the Tier 1 superstars.
| TIER 2 | Age | PA | HR | R | RBI | SB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| 3. Brice Turang, Mil | 26 | 642 | 15 | 80 | 67 | 29 | .257 | .326 | .390 | .716 |
Tier 3: Veterans and youngsters fill out the Top Seven
4. Nico Hoerner (CHC): A masterclass in contact and consistency, Hoerner is coming off a 2025 campaign where he hit .297 and secured his fourth consecutive 20-steal season. While he offers virtually no home run upside, his elite strikeout rate and potential to bat lead-off for a deep Cubs lineup make him a premier source of batting average and runs.
5. Ceddanne Rafaela (BOS): Rafaela evolved into a high-energy fantasy asset in 2025, pairing 16 home runs with 20 stolen bases while providing elite defensive versatility. Though his low walk rate caps his OBP, his everyday role and improved 19.9% strikeout rate suggest a player on the verge of a 20/20 breakout.
6. Jose Altuve (HOU): Even at age 35, Altuve remains a vital fantasy piece, contributing 26 homers and double-digit steals despite battling a late-season foot injury in 2025. While his underlying metrics show signs of age-related decline, his lock on a top-of-the-order spot in Houston guarantees high-volume counting stats for at least one more run.
7. Luke Keaschall (MIN): One of the most polished young hitters in the game, Keaschall impressed in his 2025 debut with a .302 average and a remarkable 14-for-17 mark on stolen base attempts. Entering 2026 fully healthy, his advanced plate discipline and ability to play multiple positions make him a high-floor sleeper with top-five upside at the position.
| TIER 3 | Age | PA | HR | R | RBI | SB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| 4. Nico Hoerner, ChC | 29 | 637 | 7 | 75 | 58 | 27 | .275 | .332 | .369 | .701 |
| 5. Ceddanne Rafaela, Bos | 25 | 584 | 17 | 73 | 68 | 22 | .255 | .297 | .419 | .716 |
| 6. Jose Altuve, Hou | 36 | 607 | 19 | 76 | 70 | 13 | .261 | .328 | .413 | .741 |
| 7. Luke Keaschall, Min | 23 | 547 | 12 | 68 | 58 | 25 | .267 | .348 | .406 | .754 |
Get our Full Rankings and Projections for each position
Don’t head into your draft with just a list of names. Our full projections also include C, 1B, SS, 3B, OF, DH, SP (coming soon) and RP, all organized by tiers and available with a link to an easy-to-print PDF format.