As we dive into Buster Olney's latest position rankings, the spotlight is on second basemen, and Milwaukee Brewers' Brice Turang is making waves. Slotted at No. 4, Turang's breakout season in 2025 has fans wondering if he deserves an even higher spot.
Olney's list, while generous to Turang, might still be underselling his talents. Ahead of him are Arizona's Ketel Marte, the Cubs' Nico Hoerner, and New York's Jazz Chisholm.
Each of these players brings something special to the table. Marte, with his solid 2025 performance, is a natural pick for the top spot.
Hoerner led the position with a 6.1 WAR, and Chisholm dazzled with 31 homers in just 130 games.
However, Turang's season might have been more well-rounded than both Chisholm and Hoerner. His defensive numbers dipped a bit, with runs saved dropping from 22 to seven, yet he remained a defensive asset. Offensively, he combined power, discipline, and speed.
Let's break down Turang's stats:
- WAR: 5.5, second among peers
- On-base percentage: .359, third
- Steals: 24, third
- OPS: .794, fourth
- Batting average: second
- Home runs: 18, sixth
- RBIs: 81, second
- Runs: 97, first
Among those ranked higher, only Marte boasted a better on-base percentage. Turang led in RBIs and was second only to Hoerner in batting average, despite Hoerner's lower OPS.
Turang also had a higher defensive WAR than both Marte and Chisholm. While Marte led with a 145 OPS+, Turang's 121 wasn't far behind Chisholm's 125, and outpaced Hoerner's 114.
Chisholm's 31 homers were impressive, especially in Yankee Stadium's hitter-friendly environment, but Turang's all-around abilities suggest he's poised for another standout year in 2026. Even if his power numbers dip, his comprehensive skill set keeps him in the conversation.
Turang has a strong case for being ranked No. 2 as the season approaches. Perhaps Olney is cautious about Turang's power surge, but with another season like 2025, Turang might just make believers out of everyone.