A bit of a thin position, second base is top-heavy, with a lot of mid-tier talent. The position seems to currently have more solid top prospects than in the past. 2024 breakout Kristian Campbell profiles more as an outfielder, but Travis Bazzana and Christian Moore help bolster 2B after the 2024 MLB Draft. Check out a few matchups between current second basemen and prospects below. Much like our dynasty pitcher article, skill, age, and team positioning will be taken into account.
Ozzie Albies vs. Jackson Holliday
The best young second baseman in the league vs. the superstar prospect who struggled mightily in his debut. It’s no secret Jackson Holliday had a disappointing debut outside of a six-game stretch where he hit four home runs. Ozzie Albies has been one of the most productive second basemen for the last eight seasons. Albies is about to turn 28 years old and is in his prime. Jackson Holliday just turned 21 years old and is entering his first full MLB season.
Albies vs. the No. 1 prospect from 2023 hypothetically is a close matchup. Personally, I was lower than most on Holliday prior to his unimpressive MLB Debut. There is no denying Albies is a top-3 second baseman for dynasty leagues. There is no prospect that should beat that, but Jackson Holliday, Kristian Campbell, and Travis Bazzana are probably the only three that you could make a case for. Holliday was elite every step of the way in his MiLB career, but everyone is aware of the MLB struggles. A 60-game MLB debut at 20 years old should be taken with a grain of salt. Holliday should still be a good player, but the 69 strikeouts in 60 games are alarming. A prospect that controlled his strikeout rate relative to his walk rate, Holliday was unable to do that against MLB pitching.
I’ve watched a lot of Jackson Holliday, and I was never quite sure how he caught up to velocity. Early in the season, he utilized a high leg kick and kept his hands back, and Holliday looked late on 95 MPH fastballs regularly. Later in the year he removed the leg kick for a toe tap and saw slightly more success. Holliday had some great games, but couldn’t consistently put anything together. The 33.2% strikeout rate is the main concern, as it was more than 10% higher than any other level prior.
Albies on the other hand has been elite in the four full seasons he has played. He tallied 24 home runs twice, then 30 and 33 in those four seasons. With 40+ doubles in three of those four seasons and 13+ steals, Albies did a bit of everything. Hitting in an elite lineup, he has the opportunity for 100 runs and RBI yearly. If Jackson Holliday reached his highest potential, I’m still not sure that is much better than the four full seasons Albies has already accrued. This matchup leans Albies heavily for me at the current moment.
Winner: Ozzie Albies
Matt McLain vs. Travis Bazzana
Matt McLain burst onto the MLB scene in 2023 but missed 2024 due to a shoulder injury. Travis Bazzana is the highly hyped No. 1 pick from the 2024 MLB Draft. These two players have very similar profiles and could end up being in the top 5 of second basemen for the next five to 10 years. McLain hit 16 home runs and stole 14 bases in his 89-game 2023 season. Bazzana had a bit of a rough start to his pro debut, but the skill set was shown at times. Reporting to High-A, Bazzana only hit .238, but hit three home runs, stole five bases, and held a .369 OBP.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Travis Bazzana looks like a safe prospect. The value feels higher in a real-world scenario as opposed to fantasy baseball, but there is value in both. Bazzana has three plus tools in his hit tool, power, and speed. Arguably on the power being plus, it’s above average and should still give him 20-25 home runs per season. Bazzana is a top-10 prospect with a ton of upside that is near MLB-ready. Matt McLain has the tools to put up 20 home runs and 20+ stolen bases per season. A smaller player at 5’9″, McLain still hit 16 home runs in his first 89 games. A good barrel and hard hit rate allow McLain to tap into the extra base power.
After his stellar 89-game debut in 2023, McLain is still a top-10 second baseman even if he doesn’t improve. The main concern with McLain is the strikeout and walk numbers. Travis Bazzana has a safer profile with tremendous upside. The speed may take a step back, but Bazzana should near 20-20 every season. The hit tool, patience, and upside make me want to take on Bazzana here.
Winner: Travis Bazzana
Luis García Jr. vs. Adael Amador
A former top prospect, Garcia Jr. made his MLB Debut at 20 years old. Amador made his MLB Debut for the Rockies in 2024 at 21 years old for just 10 games. Luis García Jr. broke out fully in 2024 in what was just his second MLB season of greater than 100 games. Garcia Jr. hit 18 home runs and stole 22 bases. The power and speed have always been there, but the low and nearly non-existent walk rate hasn’t improved. Amador has been a promising prospect for three years, with an elite walk-to-strikeout rate. Amador doesn’t have the pure power that other players have, but the Coors factor should help him hit 20 home runs a year. Aside from the hit tool and patience, Amador has above-average speed that should give him 15-20 steals per season.
Both of these players have tremendous upside in different aspects. Garcia Jr. has a slightly better hit tool and power, but Amador is patient and slightly faster. Unless Garcia Jr. sells out for more power, Amador has the potential for an advantage here. Amador should post an elite OBP, with 25 steals and 15-20 home runs per season. With that potential, he could put up stats that would be nearly identical to the 2024 season of Luis García Jr., with a better OBP.
Garcia Jr. is a bigger prospect at 6’2″ and 215 pounds, but he moves really well. Both of these players are on yearly 20-20 watch as Amador benefits from playing at Coors Field. Garcia Jr. is about to turn 25 years old and is coming off his breakout season where he had an xBA of .278 paired with a solid 16.3% strikeout rate. Amador is nearly the complete opposite of Garcia Jr. from a hitting standpoint. Elite plate discipline should lead to 30 steal seasons for Amador.
The potential of Amador outweighs Garcia Jr. in this matchup, but they most likely end up near the same production level. Amador should lead in stolen bases, runs, and OBP, but Garcia Jr. should take average and RBI. The Rockies should give Amador a chance to win the everyday 2B role out of spring training. This is a close matchup for me, but I lean the upside of Amador.
Winner: Adael Amador
Jordan Westburg vs. Christian Moore
Jordan Westburg made a brief debut in 2023 of 68 games but got closer to a full-time role in 2024. Consistent playing time saw his numbers jump to 18 home runs and six steals in 2024. With above-average power and speed, Westburg should be a 20+ home run player with 10-15 steals per season. The hit tool will have to carry the OBP as he doesn’t walk at a high rate. Christian Moore was drafted by the Angels, so he’s on the fast track to an MLB debut. Moore played 23 of his 25 games at Double-A and crushed, hitting five home runs with a .322 average. It wouldn’t shock anyone to see him follow Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel to a quick MLB debut.
Westburg is coming off a great season in which he was an MLB All-Star. Moore is one of the more hyped 2024 MLB Draft picks. Christian Moore has tremendous raw power that should see him produce 25+ home runs per season. The strikeout rate wasn’t good to start his career with 29 total in 25 games. But, there is no doubting the production of Moore’s bat. With an early debut, this Angels lineup is suddenly a threat. Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel, Christian Moore, and Mike Trout are a talented core. The Angels deserve a lot of credit for the last three MLB Drafts as Moore looks to contribute next.
Westburg has a much more talented and solidified lineup around him. Although he shares a similar profile to Moore, the raw power isn’t as obvious. Westburg still has good power and can threaten 25 home runs per year. With the left field fence moving back in at Camden Yards, that seems more attainable. Westburg may be the safer play for 2025 and 2026, but the long-term upside of Moore wins here.
Winner: Christian Moore