2022 Prospect Position Rankings: Second Base

Position Rankings are voted on by Baseball America staff members. Players are listed at their primary positions.

Related:

• 2022 Top 100 Prospects
• 2022 Prospect Position Rankings: Catcher
• 2022 Prospect Position Rankings: First Base

RATING: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

There is no elite, top 25-caliber prospect among this year’s second base crop, but the top of the group contains plenty of above-average hitters and there is solid depth that stretches beyond the top 10.

BEST HITTER: Nick Yorke, Red Sox

A surprise first-round pick in 2020, Yorke quickly silenced skeptics by hitting .325/.412/.516 across both Class A levels in his pro debut. He is a balanced hitter who stays back on balls and drives them to all fields with a quick, compact swing. He consistently puts together good at-bats with his excellent pitch recognition and strike-zone discipline, and his elite barrel control allows him to hit almost any pitch. He easily projects to be a plus hitter and has a chance to be more.

BEST DEFENDER: Vidal Brujan, Rays

Defense is not the strong suit of this year’s top second base prospects, but Brujan’s quick first step, fluid actions and plus, accurate arm make him a potentially above-average defender if he can clean up his glovework and eliminate some of his bobbles. He turns double plays well and has the athleticism to play multiple positions. 

SLEEPER: Oswaldo Cabrera, Yankees

Cabrera re-emerged from the coronavirus shutdown significantly stronger and put together a 20-20 season with 29 homers and 21 stolen bases across Double-A and Triple-A. He’s a good athlete who can run, is a capable defender at both second base and shortstop and draws rave reviews for his work ethic and intangibles. He’s an aggressive hitter and may not make enough contact to play everyday, but his speed, defensive versatility and newfound power give him a chance to stick as a utilityman.