MLB Pipeline will reveal its 2026 Top 100 Prospects list at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 23, with a one-hour show on MLB Network and MLB.com. Leading up to the release of the Top 100, we'll examine baseball's top 10 prospects at each position.
After a record eight second basemen made our 2025 preseason Top 100 Prospects list, the position has reverted to its usual distinction as one of the least represented in this year's rankings.
In the past 12 months, Kristian Campbell, Luke Keaschall and Christian Moore have graduated to the big leagues, Sal Stewart has shifted to the infield corners, and Termarr Johnson and James Triantos have regressed. The only returnees on the Top 100 are Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 Draft by the Guardians, and Michael Arroyo, whose 40 homers the past two seasons top all second basemen in the Minors.
While there may not be many Top 100 prospects, there are a lot of promising bats at the keystone. Brice Matthews has 30/30 upside. Max Anderson and Sam Antonacci were two of the best performers in the Arizona Fall League this offseason. The Diamondbacks have three potential top-of-the-order catalysts in Tommy Troy, Demetrio Crisantes and JD Dix.
The Top 10 (ETA)
1. Travis Bazzana, Guardians (2026)
2. Michael Arroyo, Mariners (2026)
3. Brice Matthews, Astros (2026)
4. Tommy Troy, D-backs (2026)
5. Max Anderson, Tigers (2026)
6. Demetrio Crisantes, D-backs (2027)
7. Aroon Escobar, Phillies (2027)
8. JD Dix, D-backs (2028)
9. Roc Riggio, Rockies (2026)
10. Sam Antonacci, White Sox (2027)
Complete list »
Top Tools
Hit: Bazzana, Crisantes (60)
As an amateur, Bazzana hit .360 in three seasons at Oregon State and won the 2023 Cape Cod League batting title (.375). He has a .243 average in two pro seasons, in part because of an oblique injury and an aggressive series of promotions. Crisantes has batted .323 in three years as a pro, though his 2025 season ended prematurely because of a labrum tear in his left shoulder that required surgery.
Power: Anderson, Arroyo, Bazzana, Matthews (55)
All four of these guys are capable of delivering 25 homers in a big league season. Anderson led the Arizona Fall League in batting (.447) and OPS (1.418) after going deep 19 times in the upper Minors. Arroyo drives the ball in the air to his pull side better than anyone in this group. Bazzana's power gets overshadowed by his hitting ability, but it's real. Matthews already has a two-homer game in the Majors to his credit, having roughed up the D-backs in his fifth big league contest last July.
Run: Bazzana, Dix, Troy, Matthews (60)
Of the four plus runners on this list, Matthews is the most dynamic athlete and makes the best use of his speed. A former Texas all-state high school quarterback who accounted for 54 touchdowns as a senior, he finished third in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League with 41 steals in 112 games.
Arm: Antonacci, Arroyo, Escobar, Matthews, Troy (50)
Second basemen aren't known for their arms, and only half of our 10 best earn even average grades for their throwing. Matthews and Troy have the strongest arms among this group and are best suited to play on the left side of the infield if needed.
Field: Antonacci, Arroyo, Bazzana, Dix, Escobar, Matthews, Troy (50)
Seven guys share the top defensive grade on this list, none of them better than average. Antonacci stands out here with his reliable glovework (three errors in 76 games at second base as a pro) and high baseball IQ.
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Superlatives
Highest ceiling: Bazzana
Bazzana went No. 1 overall in a loaded Draft because he has the pure hitting ability to win batting titles, along with solid power and the patience to draw plenty of walks. He could post production along the lines of what Ketel Marte does for the D-backs.
Highest floor: Bazzana
It's hard to imagine Bazzana becoming worse than an average hitter with solid on-base percentages and 15 homers per season. Even if he doesn't stick at second base, he should still generate enough offense to hold down a regular job as an outfielder.
Rookie of the Year candidate: Matthews
Matthews is the only one of these second basemen with big league experience and has the best chance of making an Opening Day roster. The Astros plan on using him in the outfield as well to make sure they give him the playing time to make an impact with his power and speed.
Highest riser: Antonacci
Antonacci has raised his profile significantly since not ranking on our White Sox Top 30 a year ago. Since then, he has earned All-Star recognition in the High-A South Atlantic League, won a championship in the Double-A Southern League, ranked fourth in the Minors in on-base percentage (.429) and starred in the AFL.
Humblest beginning: Crisantes
Because he had Tommy John surgery early in his Arizona high school career and elbow issues persisted afterward, Crisantes lasted until the seventh round and the 198th overall pick in the 2022 Draft. He signed for an over-slot $425,000, but that still was the lowest bonus among this group.
Most to prove: Escobar
Escobar had a solid .270/.361/.413 slash line last season with 15 homers and 24 steals in 120 games while reaching Double-A at age 20. But he slashed .360/.461/.627 in April and just .252/.341/.371 afterward, so some questions remain as to exactly how good his bat is.
Keep an eye on: Aron Estrada, Orioles
A sleeper $175,000 signing in Baltimore's 2022 international class, Estrada is a switch-hitter with a history of making contact against more experienced pitching. He batted .288/.366/.447 with 10 homers and 34 steals in 108 games last season, and his OPS rose from .798 at High-A to .855 after he advanced to Double-A at age 20.