Will Yoan Mancada taste the majors as a member of the White Sox in 2017?
Few second base prospects stick there in the majors. Some like Billy Hamilton and Mookie Betts move to the outfield. Others shift across to shortstop (Jean Segura) or third base (Brett Lawrie) but all have demonstrated their abilities on the field and give future teams a lot of scope for development.
There is a scenario where both of the names at the top of this list scoop the 2017 Rookie of the Year Awards. However, both could also spend the entire duration of the season in Triple-A.
Check out our 2017 consensus rankings 
5. Andy Ibanez (TEX)
A veteran from the World Baseball Classic, at 23 years old, Andy Ibanez is older than most other prospects he has been playing against in Single-A and Double-A. Although, this is somewhat mitigated by having missed the entirety of 2014 & 2015.
The right-hander won a Gold Glove in Cuba and when signed by the Rangers, was regarded by Baseball America as a better import than Aledmys Diaz. And we’ve seen what he can do!
In 130 games last season, Ibanez slashed .285/.355/.449 with 13 home runs, 36 doubles and 15 stolen bases. There is no current opening in the Texas infield but Andy Ibanez is expected to reach the majors in 2017 whether it is in Arlington or elsewhere.
4. Alen Hanson (PIT)
The switch-hitter has continually failed to replicate his age-19 season when he hit 15 home runs, stole 35 bases and posted a .901 OPS. Now at 24 years old, he enters the 2017 season with no options remaining, so will either make the Pirates’ Opening Day roster or get traded.
Hanson is a dynamic player, with skills as both a pinch-hitter and pinch-runner, having nabbed at least 38 bases in each of the last two years. He struggled in his 27 game stint in the big leagues last season, with just one RBI and two stolen bases.
Although he is no longer a prized prospect, he could be a cheap source of steals this season with a bench role. There may even be even a starting job, dependent upon the Pirates’ reaction to Jung Ho Kang for the recent DUI incident, following only months after sexual assault allegations in the summer.
3. Ian Happ (CHC)
First round pick from the 2015 draft, Ian Happ, is destined to be the Cubs’ second baseman of the future. Currently, there is no opening with both Ben Zobrist and Javier Baez on the roster, so Happ will need trades or injuries to create space for him to see more than just a ‘cup of coffee’ in 2017.
The switch-hitter slashed .279/.365/.445 in 134 games between High-A and Double-A in 2016 with 30 doubles, 15 home runs and 16 stolen bases. He takes a walk (68 walks in 488 at-bats), gets on base (career .362 OBP) and has the ability to play either infield or outfield. The hitter-friendly environment of the PCL should only serve to enhance his reputation in 2017.
2. Ozzie Albies (ATL)
Despite being five years younger than the average player in Double-A, Ozzie Albies excelled in 82 games with over 100 hits, 21 stolen bases and .858 OPS. His batting average slipped from .321 to .248 when promoted to Triple-A but at just 19 years old, he was at least two years younger than every other hitter.
Ozzie Albies is excellent defensively and formed an impressive double-play team with Dansby Swanson, a team that will surely be recreated for the Braves in the not too distant future. A fractured elbow kept the switch-hitting Albies out of the Arizona Fall League and will possibly keep him out of action until after Spring Training. Any signing the Braves make during the offseason will just be a placeholder until Ozzie Albies becomes Atlanta’s second baseman for the foreseeable future.
1. Yoan Moncada (CWS)
The best hitting prospect in baseball was traded to the White Sox this offseason with Chris Sale going in the opposite direction. Yoan Moncada played 94 games at second base and 15 games at third base, giving his new employers plenty of flexibility going forward. Where he ultimately plays will likely be dependent upon other moves the White Sox make in their rebuilding phase.
The switch-hitter slashed .294/.407/.511 and stole 45 bases across two levels before a September call up to the majors where he went 4-for-19 in eight games. Few people are in any doubt that the young Cuban has the potential to be an All-Star with the floor of an excellent infielder. Reducing his career strikeout rate below 30% would, of course, help his development.
A good showing by the 21-year-old at Spring Training may force Chicago’s hand to promote their top prospect to the big leagues but knowing they won’t be competitive for a couple of years might convince them not to start his service clock in 2017.
Worth Mentioning
The Dodgers need a second baseman and as shown by the interest that Brian Dozier’s trade market is creating, many teams want a power second baseman. And Willie Calhoun is a power second baseman.
The 22-year-old is a diminutive left-hander (5’ 8”) taken in the 17th round of the 2013 draft by the Rays. He spent the whole of last season in Double-A, finishing second with 27 home runs and .254/.318/.469 slash line.
Only 65 strikeouts in 560 plate appearances is a skill not often displayed by Minor League sluggers and one which could help fast track him to the big leagues. Calhoun needs to work on his defense if he is to stick at second base, but unless the Dodgers pull off a trade, there will always be an opportunity at second base while Enrique Hernandez and Micah Johnson are the top two names on the depth chart.
More Prospects:
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Gavin Tramps is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Gavin, check out his archive or find him @_tramps.
