For those who can hit anyplace, you’ve given your self an opportunity. For those who can hit at a place up the center, golf equipment will be sure you’re within the lineup on daily basis.
That simply so occurs to be the power of this yr’s High 10 second-base crop.
5 of the High 10 second basemen on MLB Pipeline’s record for 2024 boast 55 or 60 grades for his or her hit instruments: Termarr Johnson, James Triantos, Thomas Saggese, Justin Foscue and Juan Brito. Two others — Jace Jung and Ronny Mauricio — are power-first hitters, which are not usually discovered on the keystone.
With all 10 anticipated to see the Majors in both 2024 or 2025, these bats might be in huge league stadiums close to you quickly.
1. Termarr Johnson, Pirates (2025)2. Jace Jung, Tigers (2024)3. James Triantos, Cubs (2025)4. Thomas Saggese, Cardinals (2024)5. Justin Foscue, Rangers (2024)6. Ronny Mauricio, Mets (2025)7. Connor Norby, Orioles (2024)8. Juan Brito, Guardians (2024)9. Ryan Bliss, Mariners (2024)10. Carlos Jorge, Reds (2025)Full record »
Hit: Triantos (60)The 2021 second-rounder batted .285 with a ten.7 % Okay fee in 80 video games at Excessive-A final season, and he was even higher within the hitter-friendly Arizona Fall League, the place he went 35-for-84 (.417) whereas reaching base in 49.5 % of his plate appearances. Triantos has a terrific really feel for placing the barrel on the ball, and elevated power may assist him choose up much more hits as he will get deeper into his 20s.
Energy: Jung, Mauricio (60)Mauricio laced a 117.3 mph double in his first Main League at-bat — the best exit velocity of any Met in 2023 — and strung collectively three straight 20-plus-homer seasons within the Minors, regardless of main chase points. He needs to be a menace to achieve 30 lengthy balls in a season as soon as he recovers from the torn ACL he suffered this winter. Jung led all Minor League second basemen with 28 homers at Excessive-A and Double-A in his first full season and has the power and elevate in his swing to stay probably the most highly effective hitters on the place, ought to he keep there.
Run: Jorge (60)Able to some sub-4 home-to-first occasions on bunt makes an attempt, Jorge can fly, and led Minor League second basemen in triples (10) and stole 32 baggage over 109 video games at Single-A and Excessive-A. The Reds have talked about splitting his time between second and middle to get essentially the most defensively out of these wheels.
Arm: Mauricio (60)Mauricio has the arm power to work on the left aspect of the infield — and the Mets had been contemplating him as a part of their third-base competitors earlier than his torn ACL dominated him out for a lot, if not all, of the 2024 season. That mentioned, 21 of his 26 begins within the bigs got here on the keystone to see how he’d play as a possible double-play combo with Francisco Lindor.
Discipline: Johnson, Bliss (55)Johnson has a bat-first repute, however his vary, palms and arm are adequate for him to offer ample worth on the opposite aspect too. Bliss is an above-average runner with shortstop expertise who can actually shine along with his athleticism on the correct aspect of the bag.
Highest ceiling: JohnsonThe shine has come off Johnson’s bat a little bit, contemplating it was as soon as thought of to be a 70-grade instrument popping out of the Draft, however the 2022 No. 4 general choose was impressively affected person in his first full season and proved his energy can play within the professionals with 18 homers between Single-A and Excessive-A. If the hit and energy instruments stay comfortably above-average, there’s actual All-Star potential right here for the Bucs prospect, who will nonetheless solely be 19 on Opening Day.
Highest ground: SaggeseJung and Triantos carry extra defensive questions, and Johnson nonetheless hasn’t seen the higher Minors. That leaves us with Saggese — a Cardinals pickup from the Rangers within the Jordan Montgomery commerce. The 2023 Texas League MVP doesn’t have a lot room between his ground and ceiling, because of an above-average hit instrument and respectable energy that ought to make him a minimum of a Main League utilityman who strikes across the filth. His expertise with versatility definitely helps the case.
Rookie of the 12 months candidate: SaggeseSaggese is perhaps behind Nolan Gorman and Brendan Donovan on the St. Louis depth chart, however he doesn’t have a ton left to show within the Minors both. A primary-half callup definitely appears attainable, even probably, in contrast to different 2024 ETAs on the record.
Highest riser: BlissThe 2021 second-rounder fell off the D-backs’ 2023 preseason altogether after hitting simply .214/.298/.343 in 110 video games at Excessive-A in his first full season. Swing adjustments, together with an emphasis on getting much less uphill in his bat path, helped enhance his high quality of contact and fueled his Double-A breakout final summer time (.358/.414/.594 in 68 video games). The Mariners took discover and bought Bliss on the Commerce Deadline in return for Paul Sewald.
Humblest starting: BritoBrito signed for less than $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic in July 2018, making him an afterthought in Colorado’s worldwide class that summer time. He’s confirmed to be an above-average hitter within the 5 1/2 years since and is now closing in on Cleveland after being swapped straight-up for NL Rookie of the 12 months fourth-place finisher Nolan Jones in November 2022.
Most to show: FoscueThe World Collection champs have Corey Seager and Marcus Semien signed to long-term offers up the center, and Josh Jung and Nathaniel Lowe fairly properly locked in on the corners. Foscue, recent off a Triple-A season with extra walks than strikeouts, needs to be pushing for time in Arlington, however he must show to the Rangers he’s worthy of a spot someplace when the remainder of the filth is so loaded.
