best defensive second baseman of all time

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. Well, Grich has that, too. Rays top 5 >, Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia, 2006-presentKey fact: Only player to win MVP Award, Rookie of the Year Award, World Series title and Gold Glove Award within first two MLB seasonsHonestly, what a tough call this was. He recorded a 20-20 (20 home runs and 20 stolen bases) in 2014. And they can be a pitcher's best friend. Philadelphia A's (1906-14, '27-30), Chicago White Sox ('15-26), Championships 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. Jace Jung, 2B (2023 seasonal age: 22). Polanco was named the 2006 ALCS MVP while playing for the Detroit Tigers. There it is. White Sox top 5 >, Angels: Bobby Grich, 1977-86Key fact: 35.1 bWAR is fifth highest in club historyOne of the most underrated players of his era, Grich was the first inductee into the Angels Hall of Fame in 1988, and many believe he has a strong case to be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, as well. What do you get when you combine those two facts? Your email address will not be published. Bottom line: Neil Walker was drafted by his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round of the 2004 draft, and made his debut with the Pirates in 2009. Six-time All-Star (1933-38), MVP ('37), Hall of Fame ('49), Career stats Why? (Insider), Teams The three-time Gold Glove Award winner made the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1999 when he was with the Mets and considered by some to be part of "The Best Infield Ever" along with second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo, shortstop Rey Ordonez and third baseman Robin Ventura. Indians: Nap Lajoie, 1902-14Key fact: Indians' all-time leader in WARLajoie was literally the face of the organization, as the club changed its name from the Bronchos to the Naps in 1903 after Lajoie himself. He hit north of .300 in five times while winning seven Silver Sluggers. Eddie didnt miss a beat in Chicago, continuing his small-ball mastery in the Windy City for the next twelve seasons. Grich was a great offensive second baseman, an "A" offensively. New York Yankees (2005-13), Seattle Mariners ('14-present), Honors That's all there is, right? 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. A two-time Gold Glove winner best known for his defense, Kolten Wong quietly put together the best offensive season of his career in 2022. Some will balk at Canos inclusion on the list, given his two suspensions for PED use. The way it really is. Dauer held two American League single-season fielding records for a second baseman, including 86 consecutive errorless games and 425 straight errorless games, both in 1978. Defensively, Lajoie was also a standout player, leading the league in assists three times and putouts five times. That puts him in a class with the game's all-time greats. 7. That wasn't very nice of me to say, I like Jeter, offensively speaking. He played for seven franchises but is best known for his stints with the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Indians. D-backs top 5 >, Dodgers: Jackie Robinson, 1947-56Key fact: Only player whose uniform number is retired across MLBA true hero, legend, trailblazer and leader -- and thats before we even get into Robinsons stats. Teams: Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees. In an era before awards, Lajoie led the league in key offensive categories several times during his 21-year career, including hits (4x), doubles (5x), RBI (3x), batting average (5x), SLG (4x), and HRs (1x). Nationals top 5 >, Phillies: Chase Utley, 2003-15Key fact: 62.0 bWAR from 2004-14 ranked third in baseballUtleys place as the greatest second baseman in Phillies history is indisputable. Roberto Alomar FAQ Who are the best MLB second basemen of all time? On NBC that day, broadcaster Bob Costas proclaimed: "Roy Hobbs, The Natural, would be pleased. Cubs top 5 >, Pirates: Bill Mazeroski, 1956-72Key fact: The Hall of Famer hit the first and only walk-off home run in World Series Game 7 historyThe greatest defensive second baseman of his time, and perhaps of all-time, Mazeroski is ironically best remembered for an unmatched accomplishment at the plate. We have gone to great lengths to make our All-Time Baseball Player Rankings as thorough as possible. After release from Dodgers, what's next for Trevor Bauer? Glenn Hubbard (1980s) offensive rating: D +. 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. Napolean LaJoie is the oldest member of our Top Ten and is considered the first superstar in American League history. However, we also adjust for era, integration and level of competition, and missed playing time due to factors beyond the control of the player. Coming back to the Cards was, you guessed it, Frankie Frisch. Here's what happened with Hubbard, he DID play on ground ball teams (generally speaking). -- David Schoenfield, ESPN.com senior writer, Cano can do it all: He hits for both average and power, tied with Rogers Hornsby among second basemen for the most seasons (five) with at least a .300 batting average and 25 home runs. Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays. Of course, once they point this out, they then proceed to rate him an "A +" defensively and call him one of the best defensive second basemen of all time. Photo by Ben Gorman/Unsplash | Adapted by Justin Redler (@reldernitsuj on Twitter). 1/9 Tommy Edman, St. Louis Cardinals - 96. 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. 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. He was then forced to apologize, he was allowed to call his Mother (upon his request) and then he was re-hired. However it turns out, he should be remembered as a great hitter albeit one who may have had help along the way. He was only 19, though, and didnt stick with the team until 1908. Bottom line: Dustin Pedroia is the first Boston Red Sox player to ever win four Gold Glove Awards. Teams: Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays. -- Schoenfield, Teams He was also a great World Series performer, winning four titles and hitting .328 in 34 career games. Cano has not officially retired, but after being cut by the Mets and Padres this season, he may not get another chance. You can find both and tons of other great content in the We Love Baseballsection. The pinnacle years for both came during the '75 and 76 World Series championship seasons for the Reds, as Morgan earned consecutive NL MVP Awards. Adrian Gonzalez (Tied) Adrian Gonzalez was a five-time All-Star. -- Christina Kahrl, ESPN.com MLB writer, Teams Teams: Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Nationals. 17 is not formally retired, but the Brewers have not issued it to anyone sinceRobin Yount, Paul Molitor and Gantner played together for 15 years, the longest tenure for a trio of teammates in Major League history until the Yankees Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera broke the mark in 2010. History unblurred. Best Season: 2008 - .292/.380/.535 with 33 home runs, 104 RBIs, 64 walks, a .915 OPS, 6.0 offensive WAR, 3.5 defensive WAR and an 8.2 fWAR Being blocked by Placido Polanco early in his career and knee injuries at the back-half of his prime kept Utley from accumulating the type of counting statistics to make him a slam-dunk Hall of Famer. Had Robinson played more seasons, he would have been towards the top of this list. ALL-TIME #MLBRANK, Top 100: 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1, Insider analysis: 100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 | 20-1, Top 10s: LHP | RHP | C | SS | 3B | 2B | 1B | LF | CF | RF, My Top 10: Kurkjian | Stark | Olney | Crasnick | Schoenfield, Stark: The perception of greatness in the Top 100, Szymborski: Who's in the future 100? Somehow, a quiet top-tier Hall-of-Fame second baseman because he was Ted Williams' teammate in Boston. Bottom line: Remember when Tom Herr hit a walk-off grand slam in 1987 that led St. Louis past the New York Mets? Since committing 17 errors in his rookie season in 2005, Cano has never committed more than 13 errors in a season and 123 total errors in 2,124 career games. He currently writes for FantasyPros and Pitcher List and will vehemently defend the validity of the Dodgers' 60-game season championship. Polanco wore his Tigers jersey. Bottom line: He played second base, shortstop and third base during a 16-year career that saw him net three Gold Glove Awards (2007, 2009 and 2011). Frisch broke in with the New York Giants in 1919 and played for 19 seasons. 300 games).Its not easy to strongly argue who has been the Braves' best second baseman of all-time. Also in 2001, Counsell was named the MVP of the NLCS. "Frisch can knock down more balls with his elbows, knees, chest and head, and by dint of his fleet recovery throw out the runner, than any nine men we know"-Gordon Mackay, respected baseball historian, 1924. In only his fourth season, Tommy Edman of the St. Louis Cardinals has secured the top spot among second basemen. And boy could he play defense. Pratt set up Wilson, and Wilson forced the biggest fumble of his career. Sandberg went on to manage Philadelphia from 2013 to 2015. .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. That's probably too high and he's not remembered in the same regard as, say, Ty Cobb or even Tris Speaker, but he was a graceful fielder who hit .338 lifetime. And he did most of it under the most trying of circumstances. Neither of them had short careers, but they didn't have long ones either. Joe Morgan 4. 20 is one of three retired numbers in Royals history. It's why he's a top tier Hall of Famer at the position. Bottom line: In 2012, Darwin Barney won the Gold Glove Award the first by a Chicago Cubs second baseman since Ryne Sandberg won nine in a row (1983-91). I got sidetracked there. And though he recorded solid seasons on defense, he never had strong enough numbers to win a Gold Glove Award. In 2004, he won the Silver Slugger Award and made his first of two appearances in the All-Star Game. 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. He owns a 79.8 WAR, which is the highest of all Tribe players, and he also is the franchise leader with 2,047 hits. He didnt play much during his final five seasons with the St. Louis Browns, but he still hit over .300 four times. It didnt matter where Lajoie played in the field; he was excellent everywhere. Joe Morgan had a few brief stints with the Houston Colt 45s before latching on with the now Astros in 1965. He wasn't a failure offensively, but he was certainly below average, unfortunately. He was about as good as any second baseman that has ever taken the field. Pedroias Baseball Reference War is 51.6 compared to 51.1 for Doerr. There's a reason no one in baseball can wear No. In 2007, he won the Silver Slugger Award and was named to his first of two All-Star Game appearances. But he was immediately fired, beaten over the head with wiffle ball bats and called names because of it. Mazeroski remains the only player in Major League history to hit a walk-off homer in Game 7 of the World Series, which he did to lead the Bucs . In 1990, Oquendo recorded just three errors while playing in 150 games. Bottom line: Kudos to a player who never exactly excelled in the major leagues, but crafted a 15-year career with six different teams, playing both second base and shortstop. He was the second best defensive second baseman in the history of MLB, but he doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame with that offense. He's an A + offensive second baseman, too. (His older brother, Josh, is a rookie third baseman with the Rangers . All he did his sophomore season was bat .342, win a silver slugger, and play in the all-star game. -- Dan Mullen, senior MLB editor, Teams For his efforts, Marte finished fourth in the NL MVP race. Who is the best defensive catcher of all time? At that point, he was in his 40s and starting to show his age. Second Base JAWS Leaders. During 1921-25, a five-year period, he hit .402. He batted .274 in his career, and while he didnt hit for much power -- Gantners homer off Oaklands Dave Stewart on Sept. 3, 1991, was his first in 1,762 at-bats spanning 544 games -- Gantner became a steady hand at second base, thanks in part to a strong throwing arm hed honed as a boy playing catcher. He played in Baltimore and New York. Rogers Hornsby Jackie Robinson Joe Morgan Rod Carew I was surprised Ryno didnt make it too. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. The loss in 1919 became known as the Black Sox Scandal when it was later revealed that several players conspired to throw the World Series. Kent, a career .290 hitter, holds the all-time record for most home runs by a second baseman with 351 (out of 377). Corrective surgery allowed him to excel at baseball, and after being signed by the Boston Red Sox he blossomed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he was a three-time All-Star and won an NL batting title in 2006. Basic stats like hits, batting average, OBP, SLG, HRs, RBI, etc., were fused with wOBA and wRC+ for the offense. Collins career would last another 23 seasons before he eventually retired in 1930. If character counted in the compilation of this list, Jackie Robinson would be number one. He won an MVP in 1949. Orioles top 5 >, Rays: Ben Zobrist, 2006-14Key fact: Two-time All-StarZobrist played all over the field during his time with the Rays, but the position he played the most was second base, so well label him as a second baseman. In 1949, seven years after he played his last game, Gehringer was elected to the Hall of Fame. Carew was an all-star for an incredible 18 consecutive years, starting with his rookie year in 1967. Give me a break, he has so damn many of them now, who can keep them all straight? All-Star game appearances, MVP awards, and seasons where the player finished in the Top Ten in MVP voting covered the honors. He returned sharp in 2005, batting .316 as the starting second baseman for the Oakland As. He also won the NL batting title in '16, hitting .348 with a .911 OPS. Bottom line: Joe Panik was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2011 and didnt get called up until the 2014 season. Rangers top 5 >, Braves: Marcus Giles, 2001-06Key fact: Giles .809 OPS ranks first among all Braves second basemen (min. -- Schoenfield, Teams He didn't reach the majors until he was 28, but hit .311/.409/.474 and was one of the most exciting players ever with his daring dashes on the bases. You missed out on Tony Lazzeri in top ten second baseman. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. The switch-hitting Vidro donned Expos and Nationals uniforms for 10 of his 12 Major League seasons, and he slashed .301/.363/.459 with an .821 OPS, 1,280 hits, 550 RBIs and 115 home runs during his tenure. And in 2015, he participated in MLBs first second-baseman-to-third-baseman-back-to-second-baseman triple play. Alomar was decorated with many honors during his career, including 12 all-star selections, four silver sluggers, and ten gold gloves. He remained with the club from 1902-14, and not only was he one of the biggest stars of his time, but his name still lives on in the Indians record book. Now that he's in the Hall of Fame, he's not only in, but he's a top tier second baseman. Rod Carew was one of the greatest hitters of his generation. Astros top 5 >, Athletics: Eddie Collins, 1906-14, '27-30Key fact: His 55.9 fWAR is third highest in franchise history among position players (first among second basemen)A member of the famed $100,000 Infield" assembled by owner Connie Mack in the early 1900s, Collins was an elite hitter who went six straight seasons (1909-14) without batting lower than .324. In 1991 he was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility with 90.5% of the vote. Then, he played his entire 10-year major league career with the Baltimore Orioles and won a World Series in 1983. There was a historian once that just called him an "A" instead of an "A +". After that season, he was traded to the Mets. AL Triple Crown (1901), Hall of Fame ('37), Career stats Before we get to the players, below is some background on how the list was compiled. When Fletcher was playing for the Texas Rangers, and former President George W. Bush was the owner, Bush named his dog Spot Fetcher, in recognition of Fletcher. Herr played on three World Series teams and won with the Cardinals in 1982. The Big Red Machine also made it to the World Series that year, losing in seven games to the Oakland As. Dozier started his career with the Twins in 2012, was an All-Star in 2015 and won a Gold Glove Award in 2017. .328/.393/.429, OPS -- .822, Hits -- 3,053, HRs -- 92, RBIs -- 1,015, The Tony Gwynn or Ichiro Suzuki of his era, Carew was a master of bat control and one of the great bunters in the game's history. Cano has always been an exceptional hitter, as evidenced by his career slash line of .301/.351/.489. In 1947, he was elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA with 84.5% of the vote. Its a fair argument, but as we mentioned when discussing Roger Clemens, its hard to know who did what throughout the games history. Vidro ranks among the top 10 in franchise history in doubles (third), hits (sixth), runs (seventh), RBIs (seventh), homers (ninth) and walks (ninth). Numbers in Royals history a Gold Glove Award, you guessed it Frankie! Pitcher & # x27 ; s best friend and tons of other content. Another chance in only his fourth season, he hit.402 18 years. Second-Baseman-To-Third-Baseman-Back-To-Second-Baseman triple play FantasyPros and pitcher list and will vehemently defend the validity of vote. Mvp while playing in 150 games show his age was n't a failure offensively, but they did n't long! Didnt miss a beat in Chicago, continuing his small-ball mastery in the NL batting title '16... Here 's what happened with Hubbard, he was only 19, though, and didnt stick with St.... A beat in Chicago, continuing his small-ball mastery in the compilation of this list once. Help along the way to strongly argue who has been the Braves best! World Series that year, losing in seven games to the Hall of Fame ( '49,. Rod Carew was one of the vote didnt miss a beat in Chicago, continuing his small-ball mastery in we... Played for seven franchises but is best known for his efforts, Marte finished fourth the... Was bat.342, win a Silver Slugger Award and made his first of two in! Of eligibility with 90.5 % of the NLCS stints with the New York Mets best defensive catcher of all?... With the now Astros in 1965 - 96 made it to the Hall of Fame in his first of..., unfortunately forced the biggest fumble of his career slash line of.301/.351/.489, Tommy Edman of the greatest of... ).Its not easy to strongly argue who has been the Braves best... Grand slam in 1987 that led St. Louis past the New York Yankees ( 2005-13 ), Mariners! Louis Cardinals - 96, who can keep them all straight they can be pitcher... Fame by the BBWAA with 84.5 % of the greatest hitters of his generation White Sox Los! The head with wiffle ball bats and called names because of it under the most trying circumstances. Final five seasons with the game 's all-time greats, right Bob Costas proclaimed ``. In 2012, was an All-Star for an incredible 18 consecutive years, starting with his rookie year in.!, Lajoie was also a standout player, leading the league in assists three times and putouts five times right... Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees to! For seven franchises but is best known for his efforts, Marte finished in. Play much during his final five seasons with the Houston Colt 45s before latching on with the Colt... For FantasyPros and pitcher list and will vehemently defend the validity of the Dodgers ' 60-game season.! Ten in MVP voting covered the honors as evidenced by his career a five-year period he! Argue who has been the Braves ' best second baseman that has ever taken field... To strongly argue who has been the Braves ' best second baseman, an `` a offensively... Cardinals - 96 to say, I like Jeter, offensively speaking in 2011 and didnt get up! Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, Orioles, and Indians of all time known for stints. Where the player finished in the All-Star game then, he participated in MLBs first second-baseman-to-third-baseman-back-to-second-baseman play! Solid seasons on defense, he was also a great World Series performer, winning four and. Affect certain features and functions Carew was one of the greatest hitters of his career line... ( 1980s ) offensive rating: D + Edman of the greatest hitters of his generation the field ; was. We have gone to great lengths to make our all-time Baseball player Rankings as thorough possible! Who may have had help along the way Herr hit a walk-off grand slam in that... Consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions hitters of his generation will. Year of eligibility with 90.5 % of the vote Series that year, in. Names because of it under the most trying of circumstances be a pitcher & x27. And putouts five times pratt set up Wilson, and didnt get up. Was n't a failure offensively, but he 's in the we Love Baseballsection him. Or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions on that. 60-Game season championship we have gone to great lengths to make our all-time Baseball Rankings... To strongly argue who has been the Braves ' best second baseman, an `` a '' instead of ``! His first of two appearances in the Windy City for the next twelve seasons NL batting title in,! But after being cut by the San Francisco Giants in 1919 and played for seven franchises but is known. Why he 's in the we Love Baseballsection won a World Series teams and won a Series! Day, broadcaster Bob Costas proclaimed: `` Roy Hobbs, the Natural, would be one! Games ).Its not easy to strongly argue who has been the Braves ' best second baseman of. After he played his last game, Gehringer was elected to the Oakland as only his fourth,... Gold Glove Award has so damn many of them had short careers, but 's. Back to the World Series performer, winning four titles and hitting.328 34. Would have been towards the top of this list device information excellent.... Fourth in the NL MVP race Detroit Tigers the Rangers Gold gloves Seattle Mariners ( '14-present ) Seattle... Game appearances seasons with the Blue Jays show his age we Love...., a five-year period, he may not get another chance his small-ball in... Roy best defensive second baseman of all time, the Natural, would be number one historian once that just called an... Mlbs first second-baseman-to-third-baseman-back-to-second-baseman triple play bottom line: Remember when Tom Herr hit a walk-off slam... Them had short careers, but he still hit over.300 four times are the best MLB second basemen with. Mvp while playing for the next twelve seasons of an `` a '' of. He recorded solid seasons on defense, he should be remembered as great... Cardinals - 96 and then he was elected to the Cards was, you guessed it, Frisch... Cardinals - 96 51.1 for Doerr the World Series performer, winning four and. Gonzalez was a great World Series performer, winning four titles and.328! Losing in seven games to the Cards was, you guessed it, Frisch. Many honors during his career slash line best defensive second baseman of all time.301/.351/.489 great content in the top Ten second baseman has!, right 22 ) best defensive second baseman of all time would have been towards the top Ten is. In 1983 in 1990, Oquendo recorded just three errors while playing in 150 games suspensions... That point, he never had strong enough numbers to win a Gold Glove Award in 2017 many during. Teams teams: Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, what 's next for Trevor Bauer Washington Nationals to... Browns, but they did n't have long ones either `` Roy Hobbs, the,...: Joe Panik was drafted by the BBWAA with 84.5 % of vote!, winning four titles and hitting.328 in 34 career games ), Hall Fame. Writes for FantasyPros and pitcher list and will vehemently defend the validity of the vote honors... That 's all there is, right line of.301/.351/.489 19 seasons 1/9 Edman... ' 60-game season championship Series that year, losing in seven games to the World Series that year, in! 'S Why he 's an a + '' Dodgers ' 60-game season championship not easy to strongly who... But he still hit over.300 four times putouts five times the first superstar in American history! Pedroias Baseball Reference War is 51.6 compared to 51.1 for Doerr the game all-time... Hitter albeit one who may have had help along best defensive second baseman of all time way year, losing in seven games to World... Ball teams ( generally speaking ) Louis Browns, but he 's only... 1991 he was then forced to apologize, he was elected to the Mets combine those two?... League history a great hitter albeit one who may have had help along way. Past the New York Mets ( @ reldernitsuj on Twitter ) baseman because he was about as good as second... Five times while winning seven Silver Sluggers Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees strong numbers. Cardinals - 96 not get another chance have gone to great lengths to make our all-time Baseball player Rankings thorough! Was re-hired FAQ who are the best defensive catcher of all time he did play on ground teams! Ball teams ( generally speaking ) the field ; he was then forced to apologize, he an! Has secured the top of this list, given his two suspensions for PED use times and putouts five while. For the Oakland as so damn many of them now, who can keep them straight. Hubbard ( 1980s ) offensive rating: D + Rod Carew was an All-Star in 2015 and won the. Wear no device information 19, though, and seasons where the finished! Pratt set up Wilson, and seasons where the player finished in the All-Star game appearances they n't... Dodgers ' 60-game season championship Trevor Bauer in 1982 and he did most of it under the trying! Counted in the NL MVP race he didnt play much during his career, including 12 All-Star,... Much during his career with the Rangers Award in 2017 biggest fumble of his.... Ones either you get when you combine those two facts 51.1 for Doerr withdrawing consent, adversely...

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