Like first basemen, second basemen often come from other positions, typically shortstop. Nick Madrigal easily tops this list, and other shortstops like Xavier Edwards, Jeremiah Jackson, and Osiris Johnson could end up here as well. There is less pressure on the bat here, and many of these guys are scrappy, hard-nosed contact hitters that are fun to watch and easy to root for.
1. Nick Madrigal (Oregon State)
Madrigal is a potential top five pick who is impossible not to like. Standing at just 5'7" and with a skinny build, he merits comparisons to Jose Altuve, but Altuve is more thickly built. Still, he slashed .380/.449/.532 in 60 games as a sophomore last year then took off with a .406/.473/.594 line in 31 games this year despite missing time with a broken wrist. He has exceptional feel for the barrel, perhaps the best in the entire class, having struck out all of five times this entire season and routinely muscling balls into the gaps and even over the fence despite his small frame. In addition to his uncanny ability to find the sweet spot, he can generate his moderate power with a quick swing, and this year, he has lengthened his stride and incorporates the added momentum into his swing very well. His ceiling is limited with his size, but his floor is extremely high and he could start in the majors for a long time.
2. Nico Hoerner (Stanford)
Hoerner is another Pac-12 performer, doing so down the coast at Stanford. The stocky, 5'11" infielder has improved each season, and he has capped it off this year by slashing .351/.396/.498 with nearly as many walks (19) as strikeouts (21). Like Madrigal, he also has a good feel for the barrel, though he won't hit for much power. He is a pretty safe bet to hit at the next level, considering his low strikeout rate and solid Cape Cod League performance this past summer (6 HR, .300/.356/.456), and he should be a good defender at second base, though he plays shortstop right now for the Cardinal. However, the negatives come from that lack of power as well as a low walk rate, one of which will have to improve if he wants to be a productive regular. It's an unexciting profile, but he could still come off the board not long after the close of the first round. Personally though, I think there are better options.
3. Matt McLain (Beckman HS, CA)
McLain's position isn't a done deal yet, as he currently plays shortstop in high school, is listed as a second baseman on Fangraphs, and has tools that really fit at third base, but I'm going to stick him on this list because it is shallow and I want him to get the attention he deserves. He's a skinny guy, but he has whip to his swing that should generate power at the next level, and he has enough feel for the barrel to get to it often. Ultra-athletic, he runs very well and plays the game hard, giving him a good chance to maximize his abilities. He has a wide range of outcomes but is the type of player that could get drafted earlier than you'd expect and sign an under-slot deal if teams aren't scared off by his commitment to UCLA.
4. Tyler Frank (Florida Atlantic)
Frank is another college performer, one who has slashed .310/.450/.573 with 13 home runs and a 34/51 strikeout to walk ratio for the Owls this year. He's a very competent hitter who can do a little bit of everything, showing some power, a lot of patience, and the ability to get on base. His swing isn't the smoothest but it works for him, and he didn't look overmatched in the Cape Cod League. On defense, he can play all over the diamond, but second base is his most likely home if he doesn't become a utility man. He is the kind of player that unexpectedly hits, hits, and hits as you promote him through the minors, a la Austin Hays last year or Harrison Bader before him.
5. Raynel Delgado (Calvary Christian HS, FL)
Delgado isn't in the same class as those above him on this list, but he has a high ceiling at the plate with his big swing and advanced feel. He'll need to clean that swing up a bit, as his head moves to much and could cause him to swing and miss, but enough pro coaching could make him an above average regular. The defense isn't as good, but just the ability to stick in the infield helps his stock. He is committed to Florida International University.
Others: Grant Little (Texas Tech)
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