Athletes that decide to make a career at second base naturally want to be at the center of the action. They’re there if it’s a hit to shallow center or on a grounder to third with a runner on first. In MLB The Show 22, they need to be ready to dive up the middle, charge toward the plate, or cover first base at a moment’s notice.
Aside from defensive prowess, most teams expect the second basemen to hit for contact and be a terror on the basepaths. Many second basemen understandably struggle just to accomplish these minimum demands. But a few players in MLB The Show 22 check all of these boxes and more.
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12 Ketel Marte - 85 OVR
Anybody looking to unseat the current second baseman of the Diamondbacks is better off switching positions; he just signed a big deal with Arizona and he’s earned it with consistent and intense play every game that he’s in the starting lineup.
He’s got a perfect 99 score clutch hitting and a 97 contact score against lefties. His zone is even more impressive than his numbers as he can get solid contact on a ball placed just about anywhere.
11 Brandon Lowe - 85 OVR
There are always analysts who forget that the Rays have been a solid baseball team for a while now and are surprised when they are still around in late October. Most of the time, those analysts have forgotten that Brandon Lowe makes anything possible.
As an unconventional second baseman, Lowe is more about power than speed or average. On defense and on the basepaths, he’s actually more of a liability than an asset. But his power and durability more than offset these other attributes.
10 Ozzie Albies - 85 OVR
Players will need to utilize the equipment in the game to match the prowess of Ozzie Albies in the leadoff spot anytime soon. Aside from being part of the Cinderella squad that knocked off two giants on the way to a World Series win, he’s a two-time Silver Slugger and All-Star.
Anybody looking for some pizzazz from the very first batter couldn’t ask for more than this guy in the lineup. He’s even more of a power than a contact threat. Albies’ entire zone is a bright red against left-handed pitching.
9 Marcus Semien - 86 OVR
To start the year, Marcus Semien was 3 OVR higher than the next highest second basemen. He’s fallen a massive 11 OVR since this season began, with his home run total at about half of his 2021 pace and his average falling 30 points to boot. But he’s still one of the league’s best.
His perfect 99 durability means he won’t be missing any games. His speed and defense have remained elite, which are two big expectations for second basemen. He could still find his stride and be back on top before the 2022 season is over.
8 Jake Cronenworth - 87 OVR
The Padres had a somewhat disappointing season in 2021. Without much reason for it to change, their fortunes have been very different in 2021. Where their superstars have been disappointing, Jake Cronenworth has picked up the slack.
Cronenworth carved his way to stardom by doing a little bit of everything. Most of his attributes are above average and his 93 durability means that the second base position doesn’t need to be constantly re-evaluated by managers.
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6 Trevor Story - 87 OVR
Trevor Story hasn’t kept his Colorado production in 2022, but this could have more to do with his switch from shortstop to second baseman. His speed is still elite, especially considering that he hits for more power than contact.
Don’t sleep on Story’s speed. In 2020, he led the NL in stolen bases. That’s reflected in his attributes, making him a lethal weapon. Players who are second basemen for the Red Sox will need to improve in Road to the Show quickly if they have any hope of wrestling the starting spot from him.
5 Andres Gimenez - 91 OVR
Few players have shocked the league as Andres Gimenez has. Demoted to the minors last year, many thought that could be the last fans see him in the bigs. Now, in 2022, he’s going to his first All-Star game and has been a crucial component of the team’s success.
His defense is the highlight, but he’s no slouch at the plate and has some wheels on him. Gimenez is the prototypical second baseman, though his power ratings suggest that he is more than purely hitting for average.
4 Jean Segura - 91 OVR
As a league staple for the last decade, it may be surprising to learn that Jean Segura “only” has two All-Star selections. He’s outplayed the majority of his counterparts most years. At least the folks assigning the ratings in the video game understand his value.
Anybody wanting to get called up in Road to the Show would do well to mimic Segura’s style. His lowest fielding attribute is an 80, and he’s got four batting attributes in the 80s to boot. Without a flaw in his game, the Phillies are lucky to have him.
3 Jose Altuve - 92 OVR
One should expect that a former MVP, stolen base leader, seven-time All-Star, World Series champ, and Gold Glove winner is given the respect he deserves in the attributes department. And Jose Altuve does not disappoint.
Aside from arm strength and stealing, every one of Altuve’s attributes is at least 61, well above average. Incredibly, his highest stat is an 89, but there is something to be said about the value of a guy who does everything at a high level with no gimmicks.
2 Jazz Chisholm - 93 OVR
Mant wondered if Jazz Chisholm would be on the starting roster for the Marlins in 2022. It’s a good thing Miami put him in there, he’s now the top-rated player on the team and has been selected to go to his first All-Star game.
He’s not a typical second baseman and can surprise opponents while playing against friends. He’s got loads of speed and he’s solid on defense, but it’s his eye-popping perfect scores in power versus righties and clutch that have him coming up big.
1 Tommy Edman - 95 OVR
Most of the time utility players that shift positions are glorified benchwarmers, filling in gaps as the “real” starters take a day off. Tommy Edman is the exception to this rule, capable of playing from anywhere on the infield or outfield at the highest level; he was given a Gold Glove for his efforts last year.
His plate abilities are just as versatile. As a switch hitter, he’s not phased by the handedness of the pitcher on the mound. Edman is a threat on the bases, has a 97 clutch factor, and his 97 durability means he’s good to go any day of the week, just plug him in and watch him go.
MLB The Show 22 is available now for the Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PlayStation 5.
