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Second base is an oddball position as far as prospects go, a repository of overgrown shortstops and corner men trying to expand their versatility. 

Just look at the top two here. One was counted among the third base prospects at this time a year ago. The other was still at shortstop. They've made the transition early enough to give this oddball position a favorable enough outlook, but understand that for many on this list, defense could be a hindrance.

Top prospects: C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | P

Note: This list is intended for a variety of Fantasy formats and thus weighs short-term role against long-term value. Not all of these players will contribute in 2022 — most, in fact, will not — but among prospects, they're the names Fantasy Baseballers most need to know.

1. Nolan Gorman, Cardinals

Age (on opening day): 21
Where he played in 2021: Double-A, Triple-A
Minor-league stats: .279 BA (480 AB), 25 HR, .814 OPS, 38 BB, 115 K

The Cardinals have moved the 21-year-old aggressively, having him play only 43 games at Double-A before testing him at the highest minor-league level. The transitionary period at each stop has kept his numbers modest, but his power projection is noteworthy, particularly now that he's shifted to second base. His pronounced improvement in contact rate suggests he's about to break through in a big way.

2. Nick Gonzales, Pirates

Age (on opening day): 22
Where he played in 2021: high Class A
Minor-league stats: .302 BA (324 AB), 18 HR, 23 2B, .950 OPS, 40 BB, 101 K

The 27.4 percent strikeout rate was on the high side for a player most regarded for his hit tool, but if the tradeoff is more power, then we'll certainly take it. A broken finger inhibited Gonzales early, but he hit .335 with 14 homers and a 1.055 OPS over his final 56 games and could find himself on the fast track this year.

3. Nick Yorke, Red sox

Age (on opening day): 19
Where he played in 2021: low Class A, high Class A
Minor-league stats: .325 BA (378 AB), 14 HR, 13 SB, .928 OPS, 52 BB, 69 K

Yorke didn't profile as a first-rounder, much less the 17th overall pick in the 2020 draft, but it looks like the Red Sox will get the last laugh here. He has a tremendous feel for both the bat in the strike zone and is already exceeding his power projection, even as a teenager.

4. Michael Busch, Dodgers

Age (on opening day): 24
Where he played in 2021: Double-A
Minor-league stats: .267 BA (409 AB), 20 HR, 27 2B, .870 OPS, 70 BB, 129 K

It may seem a lazy comparison given that they're in the same organization, but Busch really does look like another Max Muncy in the making -- i.e., an unconventional second baseman whose power is only exceeded by his on-base skills. Getting plunked in the hand sidetracked him early, but he hit .297 with a .949 OPS from July 1 on.

5. Vidal Brujan, Rays

Age (on opening day): 24
Where he played in 2021: Triple-A, majors
Minor-league stats: .262 BA (389 AB), 12 HR, 44 SB, .785 OPS, 49 BB, 68 K
Major-leaguer stats: .231 BA (26 AB), 2 2B, 2 SB, .618 OPS, 3 BB, 5 K

Brujan looked to be on the verge of a breakthrough when he homered seven times in his first 16 games, but it turned out to be a red herring. Speed remains his calling card and puts him in high demand in dynasty leagues that use 5x5 scoring. He may profile best as a super utility player, particularly for a team like the Rays.

6. Justin Foscue, Rangers

Age (on opening day): 23
Where he played in 2021: complex, high Class A, Double-A
Minor-league stats: .275 BA (229 AB), 17 HR, 19 2B, .960 OPS, 25 BB, 72 K

The power came through as hoped in Foscue's first professional season, though it's worth noting that nine of the home runs came over an eight-game span. He sells out pretty hard for it, judging by his pull and fly-ball rates, and could have batting average concerns if he doesn't put the bat on the ball more (which wasn't expected to be an issue).

7. Xavier Edwards, Rays

Age (on opening day): 22
Where he played in 2021: Double-A
Minor-league stats: .302 BA (291 AB), 0 HR, 19 SB, .744 OPS, 36 BB, 42 K

Edwards is a singles hitter through and through, which wasn't so concerning when he was an 80-grade runner who could be trusted to swipe second base, but word is he's lost a step. He's still fast, but maybe not enough of an outlier to make up for his glaring deficiencies. A Nick Madrigal-like outcome remains possible thanks to his contact skills.

8. Oswaldo Cabrera, Yankees

Age (on opening day): 23
Where he played in 2021: Double-A, Triple-A
Minor-league stats: .272 BA (467 AB), 29 HR, 21 SB, .863 OPS, 41 BB, 127 K

Cabrera bulked up during the 2020 shutdown and has seen his exit velocities (and with it, his power production) explode since returning, his home run total jumping from eight in 2019 to 29 in 2021. Of course, his strikeout rate also doubled, but it's a worthwhile tradeoff. Just don't expect the stolen bases to continue.

9. Ezequiel Duran, Rangers

Age (on opening day): 22
Where he played in 2021: high Class A
Minor-league stats: .267 BA (416 AB), 19 HR, 19 SB, .827 OPS, 40 BB, 130 K

Duran has an explosive swing and sturdy power projection if he can only clear the hurdles that trip up so many young talents like him: adjusting for breaking balls and laying off pitches outside the zone. He seemed to be on the right track with the Yankees early on but faded quickly after joining the Rangers in the Joey Gallo deal.

10. Michael Massey, Royals

Age (on opening day): 24
Where he played in 2021: high Class A
Minor-league stats: .289 BA (388 AB), 21 HR, 12 SB, .882 OPS, 33 BB, 68 K

There isn't an obvious choice for this 10th spot, but I'm willing to stick my neck out for Massey, an under-the-radar beneficiary of the Royals' big investment in hitter development. A back injury wrecked his draft stock in 2019 but appears to be no longer an issue. He was old for his level, though, so we'll see what Double-A has in store for him.