The All-Star break is behind MLB, and the second-base picture has a clear shape as the season moves into its 17th week. With awards races building, playoff pushes tightening and the trade deadline looming, the position has plenty of life right now. At the top of the list, Brandon Lowe has separated himself from the pack.
Lowe has been a huge lift for Pittsburgh in his first season with the Pirates. The power has shown up immediately, and he enters the week with the most home runs among MLB second basemen.
Brice Turang sits right behind him after another steady year in Milwaukee. He’s in the top five at the position in both home runs and stolen bases, which is exactly why he keeps getting mentioned as one of the most underrated players at second base.
Ketel Marte checks in at No. 3 after doing important work for Arizona. The Diamondbacks may be chasing the Dodgers in the division, but Marte has helped keep them in playoff contention, and his production has to keep rolling if they’re going to stay in the Wild Card mix.
Ozzie Albies lands at No. 4, and the power hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s tied for third among MLB second basemen in home runs entering the week, and he’s been a key reason the Braves are sitting atop the NL East.
Xavier Edwards comes in at No. 5 after a strong season in Miami. He’s getting on base often, scoring runs, and he’s also fifth among MLB second basemen in stolen bases.
Luis Arraez is next, and the numbers still jump off the page. He enters the week second in hits among MLB players and has been one of the Giants’ best contributors. The source also says he will be a player moved at the trade deadline.
Ernie Clement lands at No. 7 after earning his first All-Star start last week. The veteran has put together a career year for Toronto and continues to produce at a high level.
Cole Young takes the No. 8 spot. The 22-year-old has flown a bit under the radar, but he’s delivered power and steady production for Seattle, and his future looks bright.
JJ Wetherholt is ninth after a productive rookie season in St. Louis. He’s shown power, gotten on base, and remains in the mix for the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
Chase Meidroth rounds out the top 10. Chicago has been competing, and Meidroth has been part of that with improving play each week and the kind of stability the White Sox want up the middle.
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Arizonas lineup card came with the kind of fine print that usually signals a team trying to get through a stretch, not simply win a single night. The bullpen has been leaned on heavily in recent games, and the club is already managing pitcher workloads with the next few matchups in mind, a balancing act that can make every inning feel a little more expensive than the last.
Corbin Carroll is still available off the bench despite his recent slump, giving Torey Lovullo at least one late-game option if the offense needs a spark. On the mound, the Diamondbacks are lining up the next turn through the rotation with an eye on innings as much as results, and the pressure is starting to build around who can actually cover length when the game starts to tilt. [Read more 🡒]
As Infielder Lands On IL After Disturbing Moment Vs Diamondbacks
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The As have not offered an official timetable for his return, which leaves the situation open-ended for now. In the meantime, the roster move adds another layer to a game that already carried an unusual and unsettling moment, and it leaves Oakland waiting to see how long it will be without one of its more productive recent additions. [Read more 🡒]