As fantasy baseball managers gear up for the 2026 season, second base remains a position of intrigue. The MLB positional player rankings show you t's not as deep as shortstop, but it does offer a mix of established speed threats and emerging prospects with power-speed upside; defined by a shift toward youth and specialized "category juice." While the elite tier remains anchored by established stars, a new wave of middle infielders is climbing the fantasy baseball ADP charts, offering enticing combinations of elite speed, pristine plate discipline, and rookie pedigree.

Here are three players who are climbing ADP boards thanks to their potential to deliver multi-category contributions at bargain prices:

 

 

Luke Keaschall – Emerging Power/Speed Value

You may have already caught a write-up in our Fantasy Baseball Sleepers from Colby Conway, but we have to mention him here among those who man the keystone. Keaschall burst onto the fantasy radar after a stellar minor-league run that culminated in a brief MLB cameo last season. Selected in the second round of the 2023 draft out of Arizona State, he's shown elite contact skills, gap power, and surprising speed. In 2024, across High-A and Double-A, he slashed .303/.420/.483 with 15 homers and 23 steals in 102 games, proved himself in Triple-A over a 28-game run in 2025 and earned a late-season, big-league promotion where he held his own in limited action.

For 2026, projections paint Keaschall as a full-time starter at second base for the Twins, potentially batting second in a lineup between Byron Buxton and Josh Bell. Our fantasy baseball projections have him earmarked for a .245/.329/387 slash line with 14 home runs, 57 RBI and 35 stolen bases which might be a bit more bullish than some you will see from Steamer or The Bat, but we feel confident in the boost. His low strikeout rate (around 14%) and ability to barrel balls suggest he could outperform their numbers in batting average and steals, especially if he maintains his 80%+ contact rate from the minors. Power might cap at 15 homers without swing adjustments, but his speed adds floor.

Current ADP sits around 140-145 overall, making him a solid mid-round target, typically rounds 11 or 12 in 12-team leagues. That's excellent value for a player ranked as my No. 8 second baseman in preseason tiers. Compared to veterans like Jorge Polanco (ADP ~220), Keaschall offers more upside at a similar cost. Draft him if you're building around speed and average; he's a riser because his projections align with top-150 production, but drafters are still sleeping on his immediate impact. In dynasty formats, he's a cornerstone, but even in redrafts, he's worth reaching for if you miss early-round keystones like Jazz Chisholm (ADP ~30).

 

 

Xavier Edwards – Late Value Speed 

Edwards, now 26, has evolved from a utility speedster to a reliable everyday player. Acquired by the Marlins in a 2023 trade, he solidified his role last season with 139 games, slashing .283/.343/.353 while swiping 27 bases. His switch-hitting approach yields consistent contact, with a 14.2% strikeout rate and .330 BABIP in 2025. Though power is minimal (just three homers last year), his elite sprint speed (top 5% in MLB) makes him a stolen-base machine.

Heading into 2026, Edwards is locked in as Miami's primary second baseman, with shortstop eligibility on most platforms adding flexibility. Projections are consistent as most view him as a >280 hitter with 25-30 stolen base upside. Expect those totals if he stays healthy, and if so, they will anchor his value. Run production could tick up if the Marlins' lineup improves, but his .070 ISO limits power upside -- Think category specialist for steals and average, not a five-tool stud.

Edwards’ ADP hovers around 185-190 which is a steal for a top-15 second baseman by projected value. He's rising in drafts because speed is somewhat scarce late in drafts, and Edwards delivers it without tanking other categories like some burners (e.g., Esteury Ruiz). Compared to Nico Hoerner (ADP ~86), Edwards offers similar production at half the cost. Target him if your early picks skew power-heavy; his floor makes him a safe bet to outperform his draft slot, especially in roto leagues where steals and average swing standings.

 

 

JJ Wetherholt – Strong Rookie Upside

OK, fine. So we’re cheating a little bit here as Wetherholt typically only qualifies at shortstop, but some platforms and leagues make exceptions, especially when a player is expected to move positions here in the offseason. He is a shortstop by trade but will move over to the keystone and start the season as Masyn Winn’s double-play partner. 

Wetherholt, the Cardinals' 2024 first-round pick (No. 7 overall), is the ultimate high-upside riser. At 22, this West Virginia product combines a plus hit tool, 20-homer potential, and 20-steal speed. In the minors last year, he slashed .306/.421/.510 with 17 homers and 23 steals across Double-A and Triple-A, earning MLB Pipeline's No. 5 overall prospect ranking. A recent trade of Brendan Donovan cleared his path to second base.

For 2026, Wetherholt is poised for an early debut—possibly Opening Day—and could contend for NL Rookie of the Year. Projections vary due to his prospect status: We have him slashing .249/.325/.359 with 9 homers, 68 RBI and 12 stolen bases but I’m not going to argue against a a respected site like Pitcher List whose ceiling comp is .290/.389/.462 with 20 homers and 27 steals, while floor is .267/.314/.416 with 15 homers and 11 steals. We’re a little conservative, but his 91 mph average exit velocity and 80% contact rate suggest quick MLB adaptation to me. Expect 15-20 homers and 15-25 steals if he plays 120+ games, with batting average around .270 in a hitter-friendly Busch Stadium.

His ADP was late or undrafted in shallow leagues, but he's climbing to 200-250 in deeper formats as a stash. His value skyrockets if he breaks camp; otherwise, he's a waiver priority. Wetherholt is rising because top prospects like him rarely linger in the minors, and his balanced profile (hit/power/speed) mirrors Jackson Holliday's breakout path. Draft him for upside if your league rewards speculation— he's the cheapest path to 20/20 production among these three.

Final Thoughts:

In summary, Keaschall, Edwards, and Wetherholt embody the second-base renaissance: young talents blending speed, contact, and emerging power. With ADPs reflecting caution rather than hype, they're prime targets to build value. Prioritize Keaschall for balanced upside, Edwards for speed stability, and Wetherholt for lottery-ticket potential. Snag them before spring training buzz pushes their costs higher—your fantasy roster will thank you.

 

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