2025 Fantasy Baseball: Breakout, Sleeper, and Deep Sleeper Second Basemen
Last season, second base was a haven for speed-driven players but lacked a true five-category standout. Enter Matt McLain, who fits that mold perfectly this year. Below are some other compelling second-base options for 2025 fantasy drafts:
Deep Sleeper: Kristian Campbell, BOS
The Red Sox are rooting for Campbell to claim their starting second base job in spring training, though his bat has been icy so far—2-for-21 with three runs, four walks, and nine strikeouts over his first nine games. Boston’s third base situation complicates things: if Rafael Devers doesn’t yield the position to Alec Bregman, Bregman could slide to second, stalling Campbell’s path to the majors.
In 2024, Campbell torched minor league pitching across three levels (High-A, AA, AAA), posting a .330 average over 430 at-bats with 94 runs, 20 homers, 77 RBIs, and 24 steals. His stat line screams future cornerstone, though his 70 AAA at-bats suggest he’s still raw. With a leadoff-ready approach, Campbell feels like he’s a half-season away from fantasy relevance—making him a stash candidate in deep leagues.
Deep Sleeper: Colt Keith, DET
A second baseman logging time at first base doesn’t usually spark excitement, but Keith’s power toolkit could yield 30+ homers and a middle-order role in Detroit’s lineup. His dual eligibility at second boosts his 2025 fantasy appeal, though he’ll lean heavily on homers and RBIs to deliver his value.
Spencer Torkelson remains in the mix at first, and Gleyber Torres’ arrival locks down second base for now. Keith’s rookie year was underwhelming, but his bat should awaken in 2025.
Value: Bryson Stott, PHI
Stott ranks 12th among second basemen in high-stakes leagues, making him a lukewarm option in shallow formats. I see him as the sixth-best at the position, with upside to top his 2023 stat line (.282, 78 runs, 15 HRs, 62 RBIs, 31 SBs over 585 at-bats). His minor-league pop hints at untapped power, and he’s swiped 30+ bags in consecutive years. Batting lower in Philly’s order caps his run potential, but I project 25+ homers in his near future.
Sleeper: Andres Gimenez, TOR
Gimenez mashed 32 homers across 2022-23 (1,048 at-bats) but slumped to nine in 2024 (583 at-bats). His 80 steals over the past three seasons prop up his floor, and his average hit rate from 2021-24 suggests a rebound to nearly 20 homers in 2025.
His ADP mirrors Stott’s, putting both in draft-friendly territory. Gimenez rarely walks, but he’s got a clearer shot at climbing Toronto’s batting order.
Breakout Player: Jackson Holliday, BAL
Holliday’s talent, lineage, and lineup opportunity make him a must-watch in 2025. His bat struggled early last year, but his partial-season stats with Baltimore project to an 80-run, 15-HR, 70-RBI, 15-SB pace over 550 at-bats. His walk rate fits a leadoff role, though too many grounders hampered his rookie power swing.
Visually, he’s a five-category stud-in-waiting once he adjusts to big-league arms. By 2026, he’ll be a top-four-round pick—proof his 2025 production will pay off big.