best defensive second baseman of all time

+ - Indicates Hall of Famer. Collins returned to the As for his final four seasons and retired in 1930 at the age of 43. This week, were on to the keystone as we take a look at the best second basemen of all time. The Tigers popped Jung with the 12th pick in last July's draft by way of Texas Tech. He also won the NL batting title in '16, hitting .348 with a .911 OPS. In only his fourth season, Tommy Edman of the St. Louis Cardinals has secured the top spot among second basemen. Cardinals top 5 >, Cubs: Ryne Sandberg, 1982-97Key fact: In the 22 seasons since Sandberg's retirement, 13 players have started at second base for the Cubs on Opening Day (none more than two years in a row)At the time of his retirement, Sandberg owned the MLB record for homers by a second baseman, while also having set the mark for consecutive games without an error (123). Bottom line: Brandon Phillips was an All-Star three times, and over a long major league career, he won four Gold Glove Awards and one Silver Slugger Award. Alomar won back-to-back World Series titles with Toronto in 1992 and 1993 but never made it back to the Fall Classic with the Orioles or Indians despite four playoff appearances. SHORT PEAK = WAR in best three seasons. Nicknamed "The Frenchman," Nap Lajoie was one of the best hitters and second basemen of the early part of the 20th century. Cron somehow survived last year's trade deadline and remained in Denver. By that time, Carew had shifted to first base, where he would remain for the second half of his career. 1. However, that same year, Lind committed a fielding error in the ninth inning of the seventh game of the NLCS that led to a come-from-behind win for the Atlanta Braves. Lajoie retired following the 1916 season. Minimum of 1000 IP, 3000 PA, 500 games (fielding, 500 IP for Ps), 200 stolen base attempts (catchers) or 80 stolen base attempts (baserunners only since 1951) or 100 decisions for career and active leaderboards for rate statistics. It just wasn't his forte, well below average, offensively. I would have Morgan at number two, right behind Hornsby. I'm glad he's in, but what took you so long, Veteran's Committee? Those who saw him described him as one of the best defensive players of that era. Some well-known second basemen have career fielding percentages that are just a bit outside the top 25 in baseball history. Napolean LaJoie is the oldest member of our Top Ten and is considered the first superstar in American League history. His lone All-Star appearance was 1985 the year he notched 110 RBI while hitting just eight home runs. The contribution to championship teams (player performance in seasons where his team wins the pennant) is a small factor in most cases. It's why he's a top-tier Hall-of-Fame second baseman, the earliest second baseman in the Hall of Fame and one of the 10 best second basemen in the history of MLB. 1 second baseman for every club, as chosen by MLB.com's beat reporters. Playing for the Rockies from 2012 to 2018, he was a three-time Gold Glove winner (2014, 2017 and 2018), and was an All-Star pick in 2015 and 2017 but not in 2016, when he wound up as the NL batting champion. Gantner was famously feisty, often tangling with opponents on the field and sometimes in the bar. He was the all-time home run leader among second baseman until Jeff Kent passed him. Second Base JAWS Leaders. He made it to four World Series with the club, winning the first three. Jeff Reboulet (1990s) offensive rating: D. A defensive specialist. Playing for the Colorado Rockies two years later in the best season of his career, Carroll committed just three errors at second base, and led all NL second basemen in fielding percentage. He also won rookie-of-the-year that season for the Twins. Who is the best defensive catcher of all time? A broken finger finally forced him to wear a glove in 1896, and that year he fielded .978, a record fielding percentage for a second baseman until well into the 1900s. Hometown fans wildly threw their giveaway seat cushions on the field in celebration. Not all historians will call him the best defensive second baseman in history, but they will almost all call him one of the 10 best ever. Which team will make a big move? He made his first of six consecutive MLB all-star games that season and led the league in stolen bases and batting average. Based on Baseball Info Solutions defensive runs saved from 2003 on and total zone rating developed by Sean Smith of BaseballProjection.com previously Note that seasons prior to 1876 are not included in single-season marks, but are included in career marks. We use bWAR. The entire Os infield was excellent defensively, and Grich was the anchor on the right side, helping Baltimore to consecutive division championships in 73 and 74. Once established, the Tigers wouldnt have to look for a second baseman until 1942. Bold indicates active player. In addition, he played in the first six all-star games, beginning in 1933. Rod Carew was one of the greatest hitters of his generation. Robinson won the MVP a few years later when he batted .342 with 37 SBs and 124 RBI in 1949. -- Dan Mullen, senior MLB editor, Teams Career Stats (1988 2004) San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Career Stats (2005 2022) New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Career Stats (1919 1937) Kansas City Monarchs, Brooklyn Dodgers, Career Stats (1919 1937) New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Career Stats (1967 1985) Minnesota Twins, California Angels, Career Stats (1963 1984) Houston Colt 45s/Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland As, Career Stats (1924 1942) Detroit Tigers, Career Stats (1896 1916) Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia As, Cleveland Bronchos/Naps, Career Stats (1906 1930) Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Career Stats (1915 1937) St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, Boston Braves, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Browns. We believe our rankings are the most comprehensive, fair, and accurate. The greatest defensive second baseman of his time, and perhaps of all-time, Mazeroski is ironically best remembered for an unmatched accomplishment at the plate. The BBWAA wasted no time adding him to the group at Cooperstown, electing him in his first year of eligibility in 1990. His uniform and cleats were sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame after he became the first player to accomplish a unique feat in two different games: hit three home runs, knock in seven RBI and steal two bases. Unfortunately for Carew, he wouldnt find much post-season success in Anaheim either. In 1949, seven years after he played his last game, Gehringer was elected to the Hall of Fame. Rankings of Negro League players should consider that Negro League data is not complete. His 377 home runs are tops among second basemen, and he has more hits than several Hall . Three years later, he became the first American League second baseman to hit 40 homers in a season, finishing with 42 overall. Modern measures credit him with an average of 9.5 WAR per season over a five-year period. That's short for Three True Outcomes, also known as walks, strikeouts and home runs. The only question these days is will he make the National Baseball Hall of Fame? -- Scott Lauber, ESPN.com Red Sox reporter, Second basemen aren't supposed to be great. After one season with the Athletics, in which Lajoie dominated the league in almost every statistical category, including the Triple Crown, he moved on to Cleveland. Reds top 5 >, D-backs: Ketel Marte, 2017-presentKey fact: Selected as the 2019 NL All-Star starter at second baseIn a close race with Jay Bell, Marte gets the nod here. .338/.380/.466, OPS -- .847, Hits -- 3,243, HRs -- 82, RBIs -- 1,599, The first big star of the new American League in 1901, he ranks 23rd all time in Baseball-Reference WAR. They are both missing that third part of the equation that so many respected historians like (Length of Career). Last season was a breakout one for the 26-year-old Marte, as he finished sixth in the Majors in fWAR among position players with a 7.1 mark, trailing only Mike Trout, Alex Bregman, Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger and Marcus Semien. Philadelphia A's (1906-14, '27-30), Chicago White Sox ('15-26), Championships To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Twins top 5 >, White Sox: Nellie Fox, 1950-63Key fact: Won 1959 AL MVP AwardA strong and accurate case could be made for Fox or Eddie Collins as the top White Sox second baseman, and while Collins overall numbers are a little better, its Fox who gets the nod for having made a greater impact on the franchise overall. Without further ado, lets get to it with Number Ten: Roberto Alomar may be best remembered for the worst moment of his career when he spit on home plate umpire John Hirschbeck after being thrown out of a game for arguing balls and strikes in late September 1996. Bobby Doerr (1940s) offensive rating: A +. Hubbard played much of his career for those Atlanta Braves teams that had an overabundant amount of ground ball pitchers on their team. For the purposes of this exercise, Alfonzo is only eligible at one position; with that in mind, second base, which is statistically one of the weakest in Mets history, seems an excellent place to give Alfonzo his proper due. In 2004, he scored the last-ever run for the Montreal Expos, before they relocated to Washington, D.C. Neither of them had short careers, but they didn't have long ones either. Collins can also boast an MVP win in 1914 and six top 5 MVP finishes. For his efforts, Marte finished fourth in the NL MVP race. Until Ryne Sandberg retired in 1997, the Chicago Cubs two-bagger was considered the gold standard at the position, winning the top fielding award nine seasons in a row. Bottom line: After being drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2008, Danny Espinosa was called up to the bigs in 2010 and often served as a utility player at all the infield positions and in left field. This week, we bring you the Top 10 at each position. He hit .400 three times, including .424 in 1924, and .358 lifetime. Seven-time All-Star (2006, '10-14, '16), two Gold Gloves ('10, '12), five Silver Sluggers ('06, '10-13), Career stats* McPhee also recorded 529 putouts in 1886, a Major League record which still stands; no one else is within 40 putouts"-Bill James, respected baseball historian/Godfather of Sabermetrics and the modern rating system, 2002. .320/.404/.480, OPS -- .884, Hits -- 2,839, HRs -- 184, RBIs -- 1,427, They called him The Mechanical Man, a tribute to his consistency. Polanco wore his Tigers jersey. He hit, ran, and played defense with the best of them. But Bill James presented this conclusion, Jody Reed is second all time in the history of MLB in defensive Win Shares per season for a second baseman, behind only Bill Mazeroski. In total, he won seven batting titles and owns the third-highest lifetime batting average of any player who debuted after 1965, behind Tony Gwynn and Wade Boggs. Alomars post-season totals are impressive: a .313 batting average, four HRs, 33 RBI, 32 runs, and 20 SBs in 58 games. It was in that same timeframe that the As became a dynasty, winning back-to-back World Series titles from 1910-11 and a third in 13. Rod Carew 5. 42. Based upon Gold Gloves won, Ivan Rodriguez is the clear victor, while based upon fielding percentage, numerous players who spent more than 10 seasons in the Majors have a . The position is home to those who couldn't hack it at shortstop or slug enough to earn a corner-infield job. Either way, Bill James comes to this conclusion on Mazeroski: his 113 defensive career Win Shares is 1st all time in the history of MLB for a second baseman. The job description requires them to be nimble and quick in the field, with a good arm, range to pick up ground balls, and adept at turning double plays. I was surprised Ryno didnt make it too. Buddy Bell and Adrian Beltre. Cano continued to hit in Seattle, but his first positive test for an illegal substance caused him to miss half of the 2018 season. What made them stand out from other Second Basemen was that they pivoted and threw at the same time that they crossed the bag, not after they crossed it"-Tom Meany, respected baseball historian, 1948. He was a World Champion and the NL MVP in both seasons. Between the lines, Alomar was about as good as it gets. In fact, that entire infield made it into the Hall of Fame, except for Critz. Do you want big names? Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. He finished second in rookie-of-the-year voting that season and led the league in walks. Rookie of the Year (1947), MVP ('49), six-time All Star ('49-54), Hall of Fame ('62), Career stats Castillo holds the Marlins' record hitting streak of 35 games, which went from May 8-June 21, 2002. He debuted with the Yankees in 2005 on a star-laden team and quickly made his presence felt, finishing second in the rookie-of-the-year voting. After a falling out with Giants manager John McGraw in 1926, he was traded to the Cardinals after the season. As walks, strikeouts and home runs are tops among second basemen, and he has hits! Fact, that entire infield made it into the Hall of Fame run leader among second.! 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