In the ongoing exploration of rising talent within Major League Baseball, Moneyline presents a forward-looking analysis of the best second basemen projected for the 2030 season. The task of projecting which players will excel at this critical position involves examining both offensive and defensive capabilities, often highlighting shortstop prospects who may transition to second base. A notable example is Jackson Holliday, who was initially drafted and developed as a shortstop but has shifted to second base as he progresses in the majors. While evaluating players, a combination of statistical insights and projections serves as the foundation for these rankings.

Before unveiling the top 30 second basemen, it is worth acknowledging some current stars likely to see a decline in their performance or transition to different positions prior to the 2030 season. Veterans excluded from this list due to expected age-related regression include: Ozzie Albies, Jose Altuve, Jake Cronenworth, Jose Iglesias, Brandon Lowe, Ketel Marte, Jeff McNeil, and Marcus Semien.

Beginning with the rankings, at number 30 is Termarr Johnson of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who, despite inconsistencies at the minor league level, possesses an impressive hit tool. He was the fourth overall pick in the 2022 draft. In the 2023 season, he recorded a .237 average with a robust .366 on-base percentage and demonstrated patience with a 15.6 percent walk rate. Max Muncy from the Las Vegas Athletics comes in at number 29, projected with everyday player potential. Acquired as the 25th overall pick in the 2021 draft, he had a standout performance at Triple-A last season after breaking through a slow start. Following closely is Juan Brito of the Cleveland Guardians at number 28, who showcased strong offensive capabilities in Triple-A, hitting .256 with 20 home runs.

Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs ranks at 27, recognized for his elite defensive ability as evidenced by his 22 defensive runs saved since the beginning of the 2023 season. With a .237 career offensive profile, he presents a balanced package. Thomas Saggese, acquired by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023, follows at 26, displaying offensive-minded attributes during his tenure in the minors. Close behind in the list is James Triantos, who has shown promising development working as a bat-first prospect for the Cubs.

Nick Gonzales of the Pittsburgh Pirates appears at number 24, showcasing strong hitting stats in his first extended major league experience. Meanwhile, Luisangel Acuña of the New York Mets, who made a significant impact since being acquired from the Rangers, ranks at number 23 due to his combination of speed and defensive skills. Luke Keaschall from the Minnesota Twins follows at 22, as his offensive abilities continue to develop and secure his position as a viable candidate for the Twins future.

Andrés Giménez of the Toronto Blue Jays comes in at 21, having garnered recognition for his defensive excellence in previous seasons with the Cleveland Guardians. At number 20 is Demetrio Crisantes, picked in the 2022 draft, who has rapidly advanced through the ranks and seems positioned to take over second base for the Diamondbacks. The Mariners also have notable talent in Felnin Celesten, who joins the ranks at 19, drafted with hopes that he could transition to second base as he develops.

Luis García Jr. of the Washington Nationals ranks 18th; after experiencing a breakout in 2024, he demonstrated significant offensive improvement. Bryson Stott of the Philadelphia Phillies follows closely at 17, having made the switch from shortstop to second base, maintaining his presence with the bat despite a dip in performance in preceding seasons. Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds ranks at 16, continuing to enhance his status with solid batting performances in the minors.

Hyeseong Kim, a recent addition to the Los Angeles Dodgers from the KBO, is tracked at 15th in anticipation of his abilities translating well to MLB. Following him is Brooks Lee, also of the Twins, who has showcased versatility in the infield since joining the majors. Gleyber Torres, now with the Detroit Tigers, is positioned at number 13, reflecting his established value as a second baseman after a notable start with the Yankees in previous years.

In 12th place is Gavin Kilen, a prospect from the University of Tennessee, showing a strong offensive profile as he prepares for the 2025 MLB Draft. Matt McLain of the Cincinnati Reds comes in at number 11, with expectations that he can bounce back to form following a previous injury. The top 10 features significant names, starting with Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays, whose potential transition to second base is being closely monitored.

At number 9, Michael Arroyo from the Seattle Mariners boasts impressive minor league statistics, solidifying him as a strong hitting prospect. Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees ranks at 8, as his talent has yet to fully materialize consistently due to injuries. At number 7 is Brice Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers, who has made himself a defensive standout in the league.

Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers is at 6, quickly gaining traction as a top-tier hitting prospect in his early professional career. The rankings also include promising talents such as Christian Moore, identified for his offensive production during his college tenure and capable of making an impact soon in the majors. JJ Wetherholt, previously projected as a number one draft pick, climbed to 4th place in expectations as a result of his strong batting profile and a solid start to his minor league journey.

Finally, Travis Bazzana leads the list at number 1, claimed as a potential franchise cornerstone for the Cleveland Guardians with a historic college performance setting him up for superstardom in the coming years. Jackson Holliday is also anticipated to keep ascending through the ranks as he continues developing across the league. These projections highlight the dynamic and continuously evolving landscape of Major League Baseball's future stars at second base.