Top-10 Fantasy Baseball Second Basemen for 2025: Ketel Marte, Ozzie Albies, Nico Hoerner, Brice Turang, Matt McLain and More

Let’s continue my fantasy baseball series where I rank the top-10 players at each position.

We will cover second basemen today after already discussing shortstops, outfielders, catchers and starting pitchers. If a player has double, or more, eligibility, I’m only going to include them at the position they played most in 2024, or the position they are expected to play in 2025.

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1. Ketel Marte

Marte was the No. 1 fantasy second baseman last season, and I think he will repeat that feat in 2025. He accomplished that feat last year despite missing 26 games.

I really like the makeup of the Diamondbacks’ lineup, and improved play from Corbin Carroll should only improve Marte’s fantasy outlook. Even if Marte’s numbers regress a little bit, I still think he’s going to outpace every other 2B.

Even though I often see Marte as a third-round fantasy pick, I already think that’s a draft steal. He finished 11th overall in points leagues last season, and I think he lands in the top-20 this season.

2. Ozzie Albies

Albies only got in 99 games in 2024, marking the second time in the past three years he’s failed to reach 100 games. You’d think that would discourage fantasy owners from drafting him quite as early, but I sometimes see Albies being drafted over Marte.

Albies didn’t perform all that well when he was on the field last season, although in the past two seasons he got in almost every game, Albies delivered monster numbers. I’d be most comfortable taking him in the third or fourth round, but definitely after Marte, and really not too far ahead of the next two players on my list.

I still think Albies is a good fantasy asset for the 2025 season, but I would just warn fantasy owners to not overdraft him, and to have a backup plan in place in case he misses extended time again.

3. Marcus Semien

Semien was the No. 2 fantasy finisher at 2B last season, and I have him in the third slot going into 2025 (although my Nos. 2-4 are pretty interchangeable to me).

In 2024, Semien saw his batting average drop 39 points, his on-base percentage go down 40 points, and most of his other stats drop in comparison to 2023. He still scored 101 runs and played nearly every game, so it wasn’t a lost season by any means.

Semien should hit atop the Rangers’ lineup again in 2025, and I think Texas bounces back in a big way, and Semien will be among the players to take advantage of that. He could push for the top fantasy 2B spot if he plays closer to his 2023 self.

4. Jose Altuve

Altuve got in nearly a full season in 2024, and he finished as the fourth-best fantasy 2B. He’s 34 years old, but still seems to have some gas left in the tank.

The Astros’ lineup is a little weaker than it was in 2024, but there’s still plenty of talent to make Altuve a good fantasy asset. The only thing I’m really worried about is his RBI opportunities because of a weaker hitting bottom of the order.

I like him in the fourth or fifth rounds of drafts, but especially like Altuve if he falls another round or more.

5. Nico Hoerner

Hoerner has been a pretty consistent hitter over the past three seasons, with averages between .273-.283, OBPs between .327-.346, and 7-10 home runs. He can steal a good amount of bases, plays just about every game and doesn’t strike out all that much.

I think he’s an overlooked fantasy asset, with the reasoning likely being his lower power numbers. He’s a fine starting fantasy second basemen, but someone I’d usually try to back up with another option in case the contact hitter isn’t cutting it for your fantasy team.

I’m higher on Hoerner than most, but I’m just following his stats and production. He was the No. 6 fantasy 2B last season, and that’s including the multi-positional guys (Mookie Betts, Luis Arraez). You’ll be pleasantly surprised if you end up taking Hoerner this season.

6. Brendan Donovan

Donovan finished just a few points behind Hoerner last season, and should also have outfield eligibility to take advantage of. 

Donovan is projected to hit in the heart of the Cardinals’ lineup, and even though it’s not an elite lineup, there’s enough talent in it to turn Donovan into a daily fantasy starter. He plays just about every game, and has a career .280 average and .364 OBP.

There’s not much pop to his game, and he doesn’t steal a ton of bases, but his RBI production should be close to last year’s mark (73 RBIs), or maybe even increase. I think Donovan is an overlooked fantasy asset going into 2025.

7. Brice Turang

Turang was a top-10 fantasy finisher at second base last season, and I think he will repeat that feat this season. 

He played in 155 games, hit .254 and got on base at a .316 clip in 2024. Turang’s big fantasy appeal is in his speed (50 stolen bases).

The only thing working against Turang is that he’s likely to hit in the bottom third of the order, which means less plate appearances than most of the guys inside my top-10 list. He’ll have the chance to drive in some runs, and if he can continue to get on base, Turang should have the chance to steal 50+ bases again, along with scoring plenty of runs.

8. Matt McLain

McLain had a good rookie season in 2023, but missed all of 2024 with a pair of injuries. He’s expected to be back in the fold this season, and hitting in the heart of the Reds’ lineup.

McLain hit .290 and got on base at a .357 clip across 89 games in 2023. He hit 16 homers and stole 14 bases, so he really can be a good all-around fantasy threat.

His durability is the only thing I really question, and if he gets right back to his 2023 form to start this season, McLain could be a top-five fantasy 2B and one of the biggest draft steals of 2025.

9. Jonathan India

India played second base for the Reds last season with McLain out of the picture. This offseason, India was traded to the Royals, where he joined a better team and lineup.

India is expected to serve as the team’s designated hitter, but will get a majority of his infield starts at second, so I’m including him here instead of in the DH story. He’s a career .253 hitter with a .352 OBP, possesses a little pop and some speed, so India can be a fantasy asset across the board.

Hitting in front of Bobby Witt Jr. and some thumpers, India’s fantasy value is up because of all the extra runs he should score. He’s another player who could finish a lot higher than I have him ranked, so I love the idea of picking him later in a fantasy draft.

10. Luis Garcia Jr.

Garcia is my choice for the No. 10 spot. He could have ranked higher if he wasn’t going to be hitting near the bottom of the Washington lineup.

He’s coming off a career-best season and is just 24 years old, so I see even more improvement coming. Garcia is another sleeper pick of mine, and someone who could be a major steal.

The only reason I don’t have him higher is because he’s only had one good fantasy season, and he only played 140 games last year. If he gets in 150 or more games, Garcia could push for a top-five fantasy spot at 2B.

Honorable Mentions

There’s several other second basemen who I considered as well.

Near the top 10 were Gleyber Torres, Bryson Stott and Andres Gimenez.

Some other intriguing names to me are Brandon Lowe, Jackson Holliday, Brooks Lee, Hyeseong Kim and Luis Rengifo.