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If you’re in a fantasy baseball draft in 2025 and you’re not targeting second basemen with eligibility at other positions, you’re missing the boat.
The middle infield is absolutely flush with studs, but a closer look points you more toward shortstop than it does second base.
Once you get past names such as Mookie Betts, Jose Altuve and Ketel Marte, the pool of quality options dries up rapidly.
You have the option to wait until the final moments of your draft and select someone merely satisfactory like Zack Gelof, or you can explore players with the ability to play multiple positions and secure a high-quality player who barely qualifies at second base.
Players like Matt McLain of the Reds and Ceddanne Rafaela of the Red Sox exemplify how having versatility in positions can elevate your team into a winning one. This strategy goes beyond just filling a roster spot; it’s about gaining competitive advantages.
McLain is a stud, when he isn’t sidelined. In 2023, he gave us a taste of the good stuff: .290/.357/.507, 16 dingers, 14 swipes in just 89 games.
Although he is naturally a shortstop, McLain shifted to second base following the arrival of Elly De La Cruz and has played enough games there this season to gain eligibility at that position.
Sure, 2024 was a wash with injuries, but don’t let that scare you off. He has 20-20 written all over him if he stays on the field.
The Reds are a young, chaotic bunch, and McLain’s right in the thick of it, hitting behind speedsters like De La Cruz. Middle rounds, folks, that’s where you snag him. He is a potential league-winner if the injury gods play nice.
Then there’s Rafaela. This Red Sox spark plug is a wild card, and I’m here for it. In 2024, he mashed 15 homers, stole 17 bags and hit .253 while bouncing between center field and shortstop.
Second base eligibility? Check your platform because 10 games at second in 2024 are enough to qualify in most leagues. Rafaela’s a toolsy freak, speed for days, pop in the bat, and a glove that keeps him in the lineup.
The downside?
That .278 OBP screams “work in progress.” But if he figures out the strike zone, we’re talking 15-25 upside, easy.
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Late rounds, he’s your gamble. Outfield and infield eligibility? That’s roster gold, baby!
Don’t stop there. Detroit’s Colt Keith — second and third base — smacked his way to relevance in 2024 and could be a sleeper. Jake Cronenworth?
First and second (sometimes shortstop) with a steady bat. Even Whit Merrifield’s old legs still bring second and outfield value. These guys aren’t just players, they’re chess pieces.
Here’s the deal: Versatility wins titles. McLain’s your high-ceiling stud, Rafaela’s your dart throw with swagger, and the others fill gaps like champs. Draft smart, stack that flexibility, and watch your roster bend the league to your will.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy baseball news and advice.