Fantasy: Second Base Composite Rankings
theScore's 2015 fantasy rankings apply to standard 10-team, 5x5 rotisserie leagues. Our MLB editors - Jonah Birenbaum, Dan Toman, Greg Warren and Brandon Wile - ranked 40 second basemen and the top 25 are listed below. Check out all of theScore's fantasy content for the upcoming season here.
View rankings by position: C I 1B I 2B I SS I 3B I OF I SP I RP
Analysis: 4 high/low rankings
Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
Rank: 13.5 (Birenbaum: 6)
JB: Nobody knows where Betts is going to play this season; replete with expensive offseason additions, the Red Sox may have to get creative in finding playing time for the diminutive 22-year-old. But Betts will most assuredly get his at-bats in 2015 (whether in Boston or elsewhere) after managing a 128 OPS+ with five home runs and seven stolen bases in a 52-game cameo last season. Small sample caveats apply, but as a rookie in 2014, Betts hit for a better average than Dustin Pedroia, walked more frequently than Jason Kipnis, and boasted more isolated power than Robinson Cano. Though his immediate future is uncertain, Betts wields impact potential in at least four categories and is capable of becoming an elite fantasy second baseman in 2015 if he can weasel his way onto the field.
Neil Walker, Pittsburgh Pirates
Rank: 10.3 (Toman: 7)
DT: There's not a lot to love about Walker (though he hit a career-high 23 homers last year - tied for tops at his position), but there's plenty to like. Consider this: Walker's 2014 campaign made him one of just five second basemen since 2010 to compile a season with at least a .270 average, 20 homers, 70 runs and 70 RBIs. He doesn't run, though if he did he'd likely be a fringe top-5 pick at his position. Entering his age-29 season, the switch-hitting veteran continues to cut down on strikeouts, and his solid counting stats came despite missing 14 games for an appendectomy. Draft for his consistency, and reap the rewards if he's got another career year in him.
Dee Gordon, Miami Marlins
Rank: 7.8 (Warren: 5)
GW: Speedy Dee Gordon has the ability to single-handedly win you the steals category (64 last season), but that's not all he brings to the table. He now joins a young, hungry Marlins squad after a breakout year with the Dodgers, and will bat ahead of arguably the league's best power hitter in Giancarlo Stanton. That means Gordon could potentially lead the league in runs scored and steals while hitting close to .300. Yes, his lack of pop is a concern, but letting your outfielders and/or corner infielders do the heavy lifting in the power categories (HR, RBI, SLG) on your fantasy team is a winning strategy.
Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox
Rank: 7.8 (Wile: 5)
BW: Hand and wrist issues killed almost all of Pedroia's power a season ago, when he posted career-lows in home runs (7) and average (.278) while appearing in the second-fewest games (135) of his career. Having been shut down to undergo wrist surgery in September, the 31-year-old appears healthy and represents a prime bounce-back candidate. A loaded offense allows Pedroia to hold down his more comfortable No. 2 spot in the lineup, a place where he owns a career .302/.368/.452 line, while also having the likes of David Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval to drive him in.