The Top Second Base Prospects in MiLB

Aug 29, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) throws the ball to first against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The last time a Rookie of the Year Award went to a second baseman in the National League, none of the Top 10 second base prospects in minor league baseball were born. That honor went to Steve Sax back in 1982 when he was the last of four straight Los Angeles Dodgers to win the award. It hasn’t been nearly as bad in the American League, yet none of the current elite second base prospects had been drafted yet when Dustin Pedroia became the last middle infielder to win the award in 2007.

MLB Pipeline recently released their Top 10 second base prospects, a list that isn’t necessarily filled with top level talent. Only one player on this list was on the Top 100 overall prospects list from last season. Rarely expected to be key offensive contributors these days, it seems like there are less and less quality hitting second basemen every year. A lot of times you see shortstops eventually kicked over to second, so it can be rare to see a lot of top-flight second base prospects. Nevertheless, this list includes some intriguing names to watch for this season. Can one of them reverse the trend, make an immediate impact and end the second base draught in the Rookie of the Year Award?

Mar 2, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Darnell Sweeney (87) hits the ball in the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Camelback Ranch.The game ended in a 3-3 tie. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

10. Avery Romero, Marlins

Romero was drafted as a shortstop in the 3rd round of the 2012 draft, but didn’t really break out until this past season. He split 2014 with Single-A Greensboro and Advanced-A Jupitar, hitting .320 at both spots. He has a high contact bat and rarely strikes out, although he could work on taking more walks. Despite being only 5’8″, scouts believe he hasn’t reached his power potential yet. He has average speed at best, and his base stealing ability could use some work.

A jump to Double-A is probably in the cards in 2015. He should be able to hit well enough to hit at the top of the order, and if his power numbers improve, he could be a star in the making. There is still some adjusting to be done to playing second base, although he improved his defense this past season. If he can put it all together this season, the 21-year old may be able to make an appearance in Miami by September.

9. Darnell Sweeney, Dodgers

After a tough senior season in college, Sweeney fell to the 13th round of the 2012 draft. He has performed quite well since then, putting together a complete offensive year in 2014. He was drafted as a shortstop, but spent this past season at second base as well as in center field. Since he’s a terrific athlete, he projects to be an average defender at either spot in the big leagues.

Last year was a very impressive year for the switch hitter, posting far better numbers in Double-A Tulsa than he did with Advanced-A Rancho Cucamonga in 2013. He fell short of his ridiculous 16 triples that he recorded in 2013, but he saw improvements in every other area. He showed some pop, hitting 14 home runs and 34 doubles, and hit .288 with a .387 OBP. He actually led the Southern League in runs and walks- with 88 and 77. Although Sweeney has very good speed, his base stealing leaves something to be desired. Last year he swiped 48 bases, at the expense of being caught 20 times. He attempted far fewer bags this year (31), getting caught more times than he succeeded (15 steals).

If he can learn to use his speed on the basepaths, he could develop into a quality starter. 2016 seems like the most likely time that we’ll see him in L.A. He could be battling for a starting job by next spring training.

8. Ryan Brett, Rays

Drafted in the third round of the 2010 draft, Brett emerged on prospect radars after a solid 2013 across three different levels. He posted very similar numbers in 2014, although it was done exclusively at Double-A Montgomery. He has a very solid all around game, although he doesn’t hit for a ton of power.

At 5’9″, Brett has the prototype build of a second basemen. He may not be as athletic as Sweeney, but his base stealing ability is much better. He stole 27 bags last season, while only being caught 7 times. He is very good at making hard contact, and his speed allows him to stretch hits into doubles and triples. One area he could stand to work on is his patience at the plate, having only walked 24 times last season.

The 23-year old is pretty close to major league ready. He could earn a call-up sometime in 2015, and may be in line to be their starting second basemen by 2016.

7. Robert Refsynder, Yankees

Refsnyder jumped onto the scene in his senior year at Arizona, leading them to the College World Series Championship and being named Most Outstanding Player. The Yankees nabbed him in the 5th round of the 2012 draft as a corner outfielder, and he has hit well every year since. The Yankees moved him to second base full time in 2013, where his bat projects much more nicely.

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In 2014 split between Double-A and Triple-A, Refsnyder put up .318/.387./.497 numbers, showing that he is the most advanced bat in the Yankees system. A power boost helped his game as well, going from 6 homers in 2013 to 14 in 2014. He projects to hit double digit homers in the big leagues, and his high batting average may carry over as well. Base stealing is not a part of the 21-year old’s game, as he was caught 9 times in 18 attempts last season.

He is an average defender at best at second base, so his future will depend on his ability to stay there. He could always move back to the outfield, but his bat wouldn’t play as well there. A 2014 Yankees Organizational All Star, he is basically major league ready, and should be battling for a spot come spring training.

Mar 11, 2014; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Devon Travis (74) tags out Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ryan Goins (17) at second base on a stolen base attempt during the seventh inning at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

6. Devon Travis, Blue Jays

Drafted in the 13th round in 2012 by the Tigers, Travis exceeded expectations in his first full season in 2013, hitting .351 with 16 homers. The 23-year old has surprising power, and an innate ability at barreling up the baseball. He was traded to the Blue Jays in November for Anthony Gose.

Injuries shortened his 2013 season, but the 5 foot 9 inch, 195 pounder still hit 10 home runs at Double-A Erie. He is very much an offensive minded second basemen, and could be a star in the big leagues before long. He doesn’t strike out a whole lot, and also takes his fair share of walks. Although not a huge part of his game, he does steal bags now and then, and will probably be a double digit steal guy for most of his career. His fielding ability at second is adequate, but not spectacular.

There is a good chance that Travis’ bat will carry him to the big leagues in 2015. He has the chance to earn a spot out of spring training this year. If he ends up back in the minor leagues, he’ll be knocking on the door in Toronto before long.

Jul 13, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; USA infielder Sean Coyle flies out in the first inning during the All Star Futures Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

5. Sean Coyle, Red Sox

Coyle was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2010 draft out of high school, and signed for $1.3 million. He has had more potential than some of the more well known prospects in the Red Sox system, but injuries have limited him a little bit. He appeared in the MLB Futures game, as well as playing in the Arizona Fall League in 2014. At 5’8″ and 175 pounds, he is similar in stature to Dustin Pedroia. It’s too bad they play in the same organization, because it may limit Coyle’s chances of reaching the big leagues.

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Like Pedroia, he has unusual pop for a man his size. He hit 16 homers last year for Double-A Portland, a year after hitting 16 through three levels. He was able to hit for a decent average (.295) last season despite striking out 95 times in 96 games. It isn’t very common to see a second basemen strike out that much. The home runs are great, but Coyle needs to cut down on the strikeouts and make more contact. He is patient at the plate, as his 38 walks gave him a solid .371 OBP last season.

His fielding isn’t great, but he is at least versatile to play other positions. When he and Mookie Betts played together last season, he played third base while Mookie played second. A move to a corner outfield spot may also be a possibility. If he continues to hit well in 2015, the 23-year old could get a call-up and play a super utility role for the Red Sox.

Sep 19, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets second baseman Dilson Herrera (2) catches a ground ball against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

4. Dilson Herrera, Mets

Signed by the Pirates as an amateur free agent in 2010, Herrera was traded to the Mets in a 2013 deal for Marlon Byrd and John Buck. The Pirates are probably wishing they had that trade back, as the 20-year had a fantastic 2014 season that started in Advanced-A and ended in the big leagues.

The 5’10” 150 pounder has surprising pop, smacking 16 homers and 33 doubles in 2014, including 3 homers in his 18 game debut in New York. He dominated Advanced-A and Double-A ball, to the tune of .323/.379./.479 slash numbers. He did strikeout a fair bit, but it’s easy to forget that Herrera is still a very young player and this can be improved upon. He can steal a base as well, swiping 23 in 30 attempts last season. His fielding ability is pretty solid, coming from a shortstop background.

Although he received a cup of coffee in 2014, Herrera will have to earn a spot in 2015. The safe bet is probably on the youngster returning to AA for at least part of the year before returning to the big leagues.

3. Forrest Wall, Rockies

Drafted 35th overall in last seasons draft, Wall impressed with his advanced hitting tool in Rookie Ball. He has undergone some shoulder injuries which has kept him at second base, even in high school. He is very much an offensive minded second basemen.

The 19-year old had a very good 41-game debut season with Rookie-level Grand Junction. He hit .318/.416/.490, showing very quick bat speed and the patience to take a walk. The lefthanded hitter also managed to leg out 6 triples, which is a testament to his blazing speed. He was also able to steal 18 bags, while being caught 5 times. It will be interesting to see what Wall can do in a full season above Rookie ball. Power isn’t a huge part of his game at this point, but it could develop as he fills out his 6′ frame. His shoulder issues in the past has really limited his throwing strength, and his overall fielding ability is below average as well.

Wall is a very intriguing bat that could end up being number 1 on this list next year if he improves. His bat is going to have to carry him through the minor leagues, as his defense at second base leaves a lot to be desired. We likely won’t see the youngster in Colorado until the 2017 season.

Mar 10, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox second baseman Micah Johnson (83) dives and makes a catch against the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

2. Micah Johnson, White Sox

Johnson was a 9th round selection in the 2012 draft by the White Sox out of Indiana University-Bloomington. This will likely be the last season in which he appears on this list, as the 24-year old should be able to compete for a job in Chicago this Spring. He went through some hamstring injuries that limited him a little bit last season, but he still ended up making it up to Triple-A.

Johnson’s 2013 really put him on the map. He breezed through three levels, hitting .312/.373/.451 in 131 games. His most impressive tool is definitely his speed, stealing a ridiculous 84 bags (caught 26 times) and legging out 15 triples. He has a bit more power than what you would expect from someone that fast, hitting 7 homeruns.

In 2014, the injuries limited his ability to steal bases, and managed to play just 100 games. The 6′ 190 pounder managed to hit .294/.351/.403, showing he definitely belonged at the higher levels of the Minor Leagues. However, he only stole 22 bags and was caught 13 times. This could also have been a testament to the stronger catching arms that were in Double-A and Triple-A. He still managed to hit 6 triples and 5 homers, and also showed good patience at the plate. His fielding ability is average, not great, but could improve.

The lefthanded hitter has the makings of a leadoff hitter due to his speed, hitting tool and patience at the plate. If his power continues to grow he could also work as a 2-hole hitter. Assuming his hamstring issues are behind him, he should go back to stealing more and more bases, although his caught stealing numbers are a concern. Due to the lack of a major league second basemen on the roster, Johnson may have the edge in the battle for the White Sox starting job. He’ll probably slide into the 9-hole in his first season.

Jul 13, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; World infielder Jose Peraza (4) beats the throw to USA first baseman D.J. Peterson (left) in the first inning during the All Star Futures Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jose Peraza, Braves

The top ranked second basemen is, like 2013, Braves prospect Jose Peraza. Unlike most of the others on this list, Peraza has advanced fielding ability. A former shortstop, the Venezuelan was moved to second base by the Braves after the emergence of Andrelton Simmons in Atlanta. He has advanced very quickly through the minor leagues, earning the nod to play in the Futures game for Team World in 2014.

Peraza split 2014 with Advanced-A Lynchburg and Double-A Mississippi, hitting a combined .339. His game doesn’t involve much power, hitting only 2 home runs and 20 doubles. The 20-year old’s best skill is clearly his speed. He stole a whopping 60 bags last season, after stealing 63 in 2013. His blazing speed allows him to hit the ball on the ground and beat out throws, as well as stretch doubles into triples (he had 11 in 2014). His contact approach leads to rarely striking out, while also walking infrequently. As a former shortstop, Peraza has terrific range and should form one of the best defensive middle infields with Simmons before long.

He has the makings of a leadoff hitter if he can hit well enough. His speed allows him to get on base without necessarily hitting the ball hard. He could stand to be a little more selective at the plate and take more walks. At the same time, there is a chance he can reach base any time he makes contact. With the Braves not likely to compete in 2015, Peraza will probably spend a full season at Double-A Mississippi. He should be the starting second basemen in Atlanta to start the 2016 season.

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