As the 2026 fantasy baseball season approaches, the position of second baseman remains one of the most challenging to navigate. The scarcity of consistent elite performers puts a premium on top-tier talent. Leading this group is Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who continues to demonstrate the rare combination of patience and power that fantasy managers crave. This list profiles the Top 10 MLB second basemen heading into 2026, spotlighting a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young stars poised to impact fantasy leagues significantly.
The Changing Landscape of Second Basemen in Fantasy Baseball
Second base historically presented an offensive void for fantasy owners, but emerging talents and veteran steadiness have begun shifting expectations. In 2026, the position features an influx of youthful players with high ceilings, as well as proven veterans who continue to deliver. Notably, four of the top 10 second basemen have two or fewer years of major league experience, underscoring a youth movement challenging traditional hierarchies. Despite this, Ketel Marte remains the uncontested leader, blending power, contact skills, and an advanced approach at the plate within a potent Arizona lineup.
Fantasy managers face critical strategic decisions: whether to invest early in a superstar with proven success or gamble on several younger options that could break out. These rankings, derived from Just Baseball’s Top 200 Overall Fantasy Players, offer essential guidance amid the dynamic talent shifting the second base landscape.
10. Jorge Polanco – New York Mets
At 33 years old in 2026, Jorge Polanco’s move to the Mets will likely come with added value, including first base eligibility which boosts his utility in fantasy formats. Polanco enjoyed a career-best weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 132 last season, paired with his improved strikeout rate of 15.6%. If these plate discipline adjustments hold, Polanco is a late-round steal in drafts, offering power and run production near the bottom of the top 10.
- 2025 Stats: 138 games, 524 plate appearances, .265/.326/.495 slash line, 26 home runs, 78 RBIs, 64 runs scored.
9. Brandon Lowe – Pittsburgh Pirates
Brandon Lowe, age 31 in 2026, transitions to Pittsburgh after successful stints with Tampa Bay. Though the new ballpark may suppress his home run numbers slightly, Lowe remains a reliable power source in the heart of the Pirates’ lineup. Keep a close watch on his eligibility, as he is expected to regain outfield status, adding positional flexibility that could raise his fantasy value.
- 2025 Stats: 134 games, 533 plate appearances, .256/.307/.477 slash line, 31 home runs, 83 RBIs, 79 runs, 3 stolen bases.
8. Luke Keaschall – Minnesota Twins
Although Luke Keaschall only compiled a 49-game sample in 2025, his impact was significant enough to earn a spot among the top ten. At just 22 in 2026, Keaschall boasts exceptional bat-to-ball skills, offering a solid floor for batting average and stolen bases. He is positioned to become a foundational contributor for the Twins as he approaches his prime.
- 2025 Stats: 49 games, 207 plate appearances, .302/.382/.445 slash line, 4 home runs, 28 RBIs, 14 steals.
7. Jackson Holliday – Baltimore Orioles
Jackson Holliday, the former number one overall draft pick, enters 2026 with growing excitement surrounding his five-category potential. At 22, he is physically developing rapidly and could deliver a 20 home run and 20 stolen base season, a combination that would bolster batting average while contributing speed and power to fantasy rosters.
- 2025 Stats: 149 games, 649 plate appearances, 17 home runs, 55 RBIs, 70 runs, 17 stolen bases.
6. Jose Altuve – Houston Astros
At 36 years old, Jose Altuve is a fantasy enigma for 2026. Despite new career lows in batted ball metrics during 2025, he still produced a respectable 26 home runs, aided significantly by the Crawford Boxes at Minute Maid Park. Altuve embodies the difficult decision between accepting age-related decline or betting on his proven greatness and resilience.
- 2025 Stats: 155 games, 654 plate appearances, .265/.329/.442 slash line, 26 home runs, 80 runs, 10 stolen bases.
5. Nico Hoerner – Chicago Cubs
Nico Hoerner offers fantasy owners a reliable option when seeking batting average, runs scored, and stolen bases with minimal risk. Although his power remains limited to fewer than ten home runs per season, his consistent performance and established role at a thin position keep him within the top 100 in average draft position (ADP).
- 2025 Stats: 156 games, 649 plate appearances, .297 batting average, 7 home runs, 61 RBIs, 89 runs, 29 stolen bases.
4. Jordan Westburg – Baltimore Orioles
Jordan Westburg is the archetype of a steady, dependable fantasy contributor. As a versatile player with eligibility at both second and third base, he provides lineup flexibility. While his on-base percentage can limit his ceiling somewhat, a full 162-game stretch could allow Westburg to threaten the 30-home run mark.
- 2025 Stats: 85 games, 352 plate appearances, .265/.313/.457 slash line, 17 home runs, 41 RBIs, 59 runs, 1 stolen base.
3. Brice Turang – Milwaukee Brewers
Brice Turang’s fantasy value sparks considerable debate, hinging largely on confidence in his emerging power. Turang’s average exit velocity rose from 87 mph to 91.1 mph in 2025, signaling a positive trajectory toward a 15-home run baseline. This power upside, combined with his speed and strong on-base skills, positions him as a premium asset in 2026.
- 2025 Stats: 156 games, 659 plate appearances, .288/.359/.435 slash line, 18 home runs, 81 RBIs, 97 runs, 24 stolen bases.
2. Jazz Chisholm Jr. – New York Yankees
Jazz Chisholm Jr. enters 2026 at age 28 following consecutive injury-free seasons, a major development for a player with untapped long-term potential. Playing in the hitter-friendly confines of Yankee Stadium, Chisholm finally joined the 30/30 club in 2025. Despite a high strikeout rate, his quality contact and aggressive baserunning maintain his status as a fantasy “unicorn” with rare multi-category upside.
- 2025 Stats: 130 games, 531 plate appearances, 31 home runs, 80 RBIs, 75 runs, 31 stolen bases.
1. Ketel Marte – Arizona Diamondbacks
Ketel Marte remains the definitive second base option entering 2026 at age 32. Serving as an antidote to the positional challenges, Marte has been the standard-bearer for three consecutive seasons. He couples low strikeout rates with elite power and a strong walk rate, all while anchoring a potent Arizona batting order. The primary concern surrounding Marte is his ability to stay healthy and play over 140 games, a milestone necessary to maximize his fantasy output.
- 2025 Stats: 136 games, 556 plate appearances, .283/.376/.517 slash line, 28 home runs, 72 RBIs, 87 runs, 4 stolen bases.
- Fantasy Verdict: You know what to expect production-wise; maintaining health for 140+ games is the main wildcard.
Outlook and Strategic Considerations for 2026
The 2026 season is shaping up to be one of nuance and calculated risk-taking for second base fantasy managers. With a shortage of obvious elite performers beyond Marte, the position requires careful attention to both proven veterans and exciting younger talents who can break out. Balancing established players like Jose Altuve and Jorge Polanco with ascending prospects such as Luke Keaschall and Jackson Holliday could be key to building a competitive roster.
As fantasy drafts approach, owners must weigh the durability concerns and age-related declines of some veterans against the growing potential of emerging stars. The depth at second base remains thin overall, amplifying the urgency to secure quality talent early or hope to uncover sleepers among less established players. This evolving dynamic promises an intense and uncertain battle for supremacy at the keystone turn in 2026.
