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America’s pastime is in full swing and that also means the latest iteration of MLB The Show is here too. MLB The Show 22 delivers the repeated high quality and realism the series has been known for, combined with enhanced mechanics and incredible graphics.
Throughout the various game modes, building a franchise and vying for a championship remains one of the most popular. And among the most important positions to fill in the infield is second base. The second baseman is responsible for many double plays in a ballgame, requiring solid defensive skills. We’ll examine who the premier players are at the position and who you should want on your squad in MLB The Show 22.
9 Andres Gimenez, Cleveland Guardians - 86
In just his third season in the majors, Andres Gimenez is quickly making a name for himself among second basemen. Originally, Gimenez began his MLB career playing for the New York Mets, as he finished seventh in Rookie of the Year voting. However, the team traded the young player, among others, for Cleveland’s star infielder Francisco Lindor following the 2018 season.
Since claiming the starting second baseman position, Gimenez has demonstrated high-quality defense, primarily fielding (86), arm strength (84), and reaction time (88). His offense struggles a bit with his highest rating being contact against right-handed pitching (78), but when he gets on base, Gimenez has above-average speed (84) to swipe a bag every now and then.
8 Trevor Story, Boston Red Sox - 87
Following six seasons with the Colorado Rockies that saw two All-Star selections and Silver Slugger Awards, Trevor Story signed a massive six-year, $140 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. At age 29, Story is in the midst of the prime of his career and is looked at as a major bat in the Boston lineup. However, leaving the thin air of Colorado and playing with the Green Monster in left field could cause a slight dip in Story’s stats.
Story excels at crushing left-handing pitching (81 power) but can deal some damage against righties (62 power) in the right situation. Surprisingly, Story has a pair of quick feet (81) and will steal a base if given the chance. He’s a slightly above-average fielder (78) who won’t become a liability at second base.
7 Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks - 88
When the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired Ketel Marte from the Seattle Mariners in 2016, the club expected a quality bench player, maybe a starter if they were lucky. What they didn’t expect was an All-Star caliber second baseman who’s elevated his stature to being the best player on the team. In 2019, Marte finished fourth in MVP voting behind a .329 batting average, 32 home runs, and 92 RBI.
Marte is arguably one of the best contact hitters against lefties (109). While he certainly has the power to jack one into the stands (90 left), the 28-year-old is a contact hitter first and foremost. And when the game is on the line, he’s the one you’d want at the plate with his high clutch rating (99). But when it comes to his defense and baserunning, Marte’s a bit below-average; he has mid-60s ratings in fielding, arm strength, accuracy, and reaction time, plus a low-speed rating (54).
6 Marcus Semien, Texas Rangers - 89
After debuting with the Chicago White Sox in 2013, Marcus Semien was traded to the Oakland A’s where he quietly became one of the best second basemen in the American League. In 2019, Semien finished third in MVP voting but Oakland elected to let Semien test free agency in 2020, and the infielder signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Semien had another stellar year in 2021 with his first All-Star selection, another top MVP finish, and first-time winner of the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. Following that season, the Texas Rangers swooped in and signed Semien to a seven-year, $175 million deal.
At 31-years-old, Semien might not be the guy you’d look toward in terms of long-term success at the second base position, but he’s certainly a guy who will perform at a high level for a few more years. He has above-average fielding (81) and reaction time (83), making him one of the better defensive players at the position. Semien rarely gets hurt with a high durability rating (99), as he’s played in all 162 games in two of the past three seasons.
5 Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves - 90
At only 25-years-old, Ozzie Albies was a catalyst in the Atlanta Braves winning their first World Series since 1995. En route to his second career All-Star selection, Albies had a career-high 106 RBI, 30 home runs, and 20 stolen bases. Albies projects to be one of the best second basemen in the National League for years to come.
Despite being a switch hitter, Albies is designated as an extreme pull hitter and finds more success against left-handed pitching (87 contact, 79 power) than he does against right-handed pitching (45 contact, 74 power). He has adequate speed (74) and is aggressive enough (54) to swipe a bag every now and then. Albies’s arm accuracy (82) is the pride and joy of his defensive attributes, though his arm strength (49) isn’t anything to write home about.
4 Jean Segura, Philadelphia Phillies - 91
For a guy who’s among the top at his position, it’s a bit puzzling that Jean Segura can’t seem to stay in one place for very long. Possibly a late bloomer, the 32-year-old went from the Angels to the Brewers to the Diamondbacks to the Mariners and finally to the Phillies over the course of his 11-year career. Segura peaked in 2016 with the Diamondbacks and began to see his production dip slightly before his apparent resurgence in 2021 and 2022.
Segura is one of the better defensive second basemen with high marks in fielding (80), arm strength (87), arm accuracy (91), and reaction time (84). Surprisingly, Segura is a better contact hitter against right-handed pitching (80), despite being a right-handed batter. And although he’s a better contact hitter against righties, Segura’s a better power hitter against lefties (62). Ultimately, Segura can be highly effective at the plate and out in the field.
3 Jazz Chisholm, Miami Marlins - 91
One of the young, electrifying players taking the major leagues by storm resides in sunny Miami. Jazz Chisholm is quickly making a name for himself, leading the upstart Marlins after being traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019. Though the Diamondbacks surrendered what appears to be a top player in Chisholm, they did receive a rather good pitcher in Zac Gallen.
So far, Chisholm leads the majors in triples, and with his high speed (86) we really shouldn’t be surprised. He’s already an above-average contact hitter against right-handers (80) and pretty decent with the leather out in the field (80). With this being only Chisholm’s second full season in the MLB, the sky’s the limit for the Marlins' second baseman.
2 Jose Altuve, Houston Astros - 93
After making his debut in 2011, Jose Altuve has, quite simply, dominated throughout his career. In 12 years, Altuve has been named an All-Star seven times, won American League MVP, and the 2017 World Series. Although Altuve was involved with the sign-stealing scandal surrounding the team, the 31-year-old is still one of the best overall players in the league.
Across the board, Altuve is highly effective in all facets of the game. He can produce solid contact against both righties (80) and lefties (75), while also being able to generate enough power (75 right, 72 left) to out one to the stands. Altuve’s fielding is a bit low (70) but his high accuracy (82) limits any throwing errors he might commit.
1 Tommy Edman, St. Louis Cardinals - 96
In only his fourth season, Tommy Edman of the St. Louis Cardinals has secured the top spot among second basemen. The 26-year-old is coming off his first career Gold Glove award, making him one of the top defensive players in the league. Although we’re mainly interested in his skills at second base, Edman can virtually play anywhere on the field except first base, pitcher, and catcher.
Edman has one of the highest fielding ratings among second basemen (90), along with extremely high ratings in reaction time (92) and accuracy (86). He’s not the most dangerous of hitters with his highest rating in contact against lefties (86), but Edman does bat from both sides of the plate, which adds a level of versatility that other players don’t have. Edman has a set of wheels, though, using his speed (83) to be aggressive on the basepaths. Overall, Edman possesses a wide set of skills that separate him from the others when considering the best second basemen in the game.