Second Basemen
by memphi on Mar 24, 2026 6:32 PM EDT
30 comments
I'd like to see how you guys would rank some of the second base prospects. I feel it's a very weak position as far as prospects go.
Also, has anyone else heard, or read, anything about the cubs possibly moving starlin castro to second base?
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The Cubs would be dumb to move Castro to 2B
2B is always a weak position. Most of the better 2Bs in the majors are failed shortstop prospects anyway (or guys who were moved off short because a better defender came up).
My quick and dirty ranking, which I know many others won’t agree with:
1. Brett Lawrie
2. Chase D’Arnaud
3. Adrian Cardenas
4. Scott Sizemore
5. Jemile Weeks
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by Brickhaus on Mar 24, 2026 6:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The idea is to move Castro to 2B once Lee is ready for the majors.
That’s what I’ve heard anyway, and it makes sense.
by PissedMick on Mar 24, 2026 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lee hasn't even logged a single full-season AB.
It’s not even set in stone that he’s gonna reach the Majors, and I’m one of his biggest buds.
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by Frederick0220 on Mar 24, 2026 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's why it's an idea, and not a plan written in stone.
by PissedMick on Mar 24, 2026 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brett Lawrie (if he sticks) and then everyone else
Jemile Weeks, Cardenas, Chase D’arnaud, Scott Sizemore, Eric Young Jr are all candidates for the next tier. Triunfel would be on the list too if he moved permanently, I haven’t been following what the Mariners current plans are. But a lot of major league 2bs are guys who moved later in their development. Ryan Flaherty has solid power. Some other guys like Kobernus, Reese Havens, Jason Kipnis come to mind.
Castro looks to be a plus defender at SS, doesn’t seem likely that he’d move in the near future. Hak-Ju Lee down the line could displace him if he demonstrates that he’s the better defender, but that’s a ways away.
by PrincetonCubs on Mar 24, 2026 6:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
There's been talk of James Darnell moving to 2B
There’s no way to know whether or not he’d be able to play major league defense at 2B until it happens (if it happens), but he’d pretty easily be the best minor league bat at the position if it did.
by PissedMick on Mar 24, 2026 7:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Better than Lawrie??
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by hero66 on Mar 24, 2026 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can argue that Lawrie has a better ceiling if you want...
but Darnell’s certainly a better hitter now, and I don’t see that changing.
by PissedMick on Mar 24, 2026 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lawrie is 3 years younger
IIRC Midwest League is pitcher friendly.
by JetSam on Mar 25, 2026 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Padres have a lot of guys to remember
Darnell might move to 2B, but he’s athletic enough and has enough pop to profile as a regular corner OF.
I think it’s much more likely that Logan Forsythe moves to 2B. Pretty heady player, not much power, should profile well at second. Also keep an eye on Drew Cumberland lower in the system . . .if he stays healthy, he could make some noise. Forsythe at 2B and Darnell at 3B or RF seems like the most likely scenario, unless Darnell sticks to 3B.
I’d take Brett Lawrie’s bat (and Ackley’s too if he’s considered a 2B) over Darnell’s without much hesitation at all.
by mrkupe on Mar 24, 2026 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought it was Logan Forsythe
not Darnell who was playing 2nd in ST and possibly moving there
by cowboy4eva on Mar 25, 2026 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How could you miss
Dustin Ackley? If Lawrie is considered a 2B, so does Ackley.
by another know it all on Mar 24, 2026 7:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, it's pretty weird
Questions arose about Lawrie and his future position as well. Yet that’s being put on the back burner and Ackley isn’t even being mentioned.
by russak on Mar 24, 2026 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess the difference is that Lawrie played 2B a year
even if he fielded a ball with his nose once, whereas Ackley has never played 2B (in a game)
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by OldProspects on Mar 25, 2026 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
If he sticks, he becomes the cream of the crop. Although unfair, it’s still fun to find a major league equivalent. What is your best guess? Robinson Cano? Utley, with a higher average, a little less power?
by mg050369 on Mar 24, 2026 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
2009 Ben Zobrist
with less power and more speed?
by PissedMick on Mar 24, 2026 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
don't see Ackley having comparable power
Utley is one of the better power hitters in the league. Ackley probably hits for league-average power or maybe a little above-average, although if his contact tool is as good as it’s looked in college, his gross power numbers will probably be pretty impressive.
by mrkupe on Mar 24, 2026 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
why doesn't anyone ever think pedroia?
high contact, gap power, a tick more speed…
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by PHGold09 on Mar 25, 2026 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
becuz defense matters.....
baseball rules.
by doublestix on Mar 25, 2026 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ackley doesn't have a comp...
because there’s really nobody with his skillset. How many major league hitters have an 80 bat with 70 speed and at least average power? zero. He looks like an OPS machine even if he tops out at 15 HR a year.
by another know it all on Mar 25, 2026 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I forgot all about Ackley.
If he transitions well, he’s easily #1. Jeesh.
by PissedMick on Mar 24, 2026 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought the chances of him not sticking were higher
but yes, very true, forgot him
by PrincetonCubs on Mar 24, 2026 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wil Myer
I’m hoping that 2nd is the position that he settles into. I know it’s probably a long shot. But hell a kid can dream can’t he.
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by fourfingerwoo on Mar 24, 2026 11:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why?
He’s good enough behind the plate to stick and with that bat, Yikes. It’s not like he’s blocking anyone nor is he being blocked at catcher.
by russak on Mar 25, 2026 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That seems like it would be an odd move
If he moves off of catcher, I’m assuming it’ll be to 3B or the OF.
by jar75 on Mar 25, 2026 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reid Brignac has been playing a lot of 2B this spring
and with Jason Bartlett still around they may be the spot he breaks the team at this year.
by Dbullsfan on Mar 25, 2026 12:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I was under the impression Sean Rodriguez was going to steal most of the playing time there
pushing Zobrist into more RF duty.
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by alskor on Mar 25, 2026 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Most likely is Brignac will spend most of the year in AAA again and be the starting SS in 2011. Rodriguez I think is a better fit right now sorta platooning w/ Joyce almost as Zboy goes plays 2B/RF.
by hybrid on Mar 25, 2026 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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