Meet the Second Basemen Who Quietly Owned the 2010s

Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Schatz

The 2010s belonged to the middle infielders who could do it all—hit for average, launch moonshots, and turn double plays that made your grandfather weep with joy. These twenty-second basemen didn’t just fill a position; they owned it, making plays that still echo in ballparks across America.

José Altuve – The Pocket Rocket Who Made Giants Look Foolish

At 5’6″, José Altuve proved that dynamite comes in small packages, collecting three batting titles, an MVP award, and a World Series ring during the decade. His 2017 season was pure magic—hitting .346 with 24 homers while leading Houston to their first championship. When Altuve stepped into the box, pitchers learned that size doesn’t matter when you’ve got the heart of a lion and hands quicker than a card shark’s shuffle.

Robinson Canó – Smooth as Silk, Sweet as Sunday Morning

Robinson Canó’s swing was poetry in motion, a left-handed stroke so pure it belonged in the Louvre. From 2010-2018, he averaged .304 with over 26 homers per season, earning seven All-Star selections and two Gold Gloves. His move from the Bronx to Seattle in 2014 shocked baseball, but Canó kept producing with the elegance of a master craftsman who never met a fastball he couldn’t turn into art.

Ian Kinsler – The Clutch King Who Never Met a Big Moment He Couldn’t Handle

Ian Kinsler was the Swiss Army knife of second basemen, leading off with authority and turning two with precision throughout the 2010s. He smacked 198 home runs during the decade while stealing 128 bases, proving speed and power could coexist beautifully. Whether wearing Rangers red or Tigers navy, Kinsler played with the intensity of a man who understood that every at-bat might be his last chance to make magic happen.

Dustin Pedroia – The Laser Show Who Played Like His Hair Was on Fire

Before injuries cut short his brilliance, Dustin Pedroia was pure Boston grit wrapped in a 5’9″ frame that refused to back down from anyone. His .293 average from 2010-2017 came with the ferocity of a caffeinated squirrel and the precision of a Swiss watchmaker. Pedroia didn’t just play second base—he attacked it, diving for grounders like his life depended on every out, embodying the spirit of New England baseball.

Ben Zobrist – The Swiss Army Knife Who Could Do Everything but Your Taxes

Ben Zobrist was the ultimate utility man who made second base his primary home during the decade, hitting .266 with 116 homers while playing seven different positions. His clutch hitting in the 2016 World Series helped break the Cubs’ 108-year curse, earning him MVP honors. Zobrist approached baseball like a chess master, always thinking three moves ahead and finding ways to contribute that didn’t always show up in the box score.

Brian Dozier – The Minnesota Mauler Who Made Pitchers Wish They’d Stayed Home

Brian Dozier turned Target Field into his personal launching pad, smashing 192 home runs during the decade while anchoring the Twins’ infield. His 2016 season was pure Minnesota magic—42 homers and 99 RBIs that had fans forgetting about the winter cold. Dozier played with the steady reliability of a Midwestern farmer, showing up every day ready to work, whether the lights were bright or the stakes were small.

Brandon Phillips – The Glove Wizard Who Made Impossible Plays Look Routine

Brandon Phillips turned defense into performance art, winning three Gold Gloves during the decade while making SportsCenter his personal highlight reel. His behind-the-back flips and bare-handed grabs became the stuff of legend in Cincinnati, where fans arrived early just to watch infield practice. Phillips didn’t just field ground balls—he choreographed them, turning routine plays into moments that made grown men applaud and kids dream of wearing a glove.

DJ LeMahieu – The Contact King Who Made .300 Look Easy

DJ LeMahieu was the quiet assassin who hit .302 during the decade while winning three Gold Gloves and a batting title. His move from Colorado to New York in 2019 proved his skills weren’t just Coors Field magic—they were pure talent refined through countless hours of practice. LeMahieu approached hitting like a mathematician solving equations, finding gaps in the defense with the precision of a surgeon and the patience of a saint.

Daniel Murphy – The October Legend Who Turned Postseason Dreams into Nightmares

Daniel Murphy’s 2015 postseason was the stuff of baseball folklore—seven home runs in nine games that carried the Mets to the World Series. His .318 average from 2014-2017 came with clutch hitting that made opposing managers lose sleep and fans lose their voices. Murphy played with the quiet confidence of a man who knew exactly what pitch was coming, turning routine at-bats into masterclasses in situational hitting.

Chase Utley – The Gritty Veteran Who Played Through Everything but Retirement

Chase Utley began the decade as Philadelphia royalty and ended it as a respected Los Angeles veteran, hitting .251 with 111 homers during his 2010s swan song. His slide into second base became legendary—aggressive, legal, and absolutely terrifying for middle infielders everywhere. Utley played baseball like it was a contact sport, approaching every play with the intensity of a linebacker and the precision of a surgeon.

Howie Kendrick – The Steady Eddie Who Never Made Headlines but Always Made Plays

Howie Kendrick was the definition of professional consistency, hitting .292 during the decade while seamlessly transitioning between second base and the outfield. His 2019 postseason heroics helped deliver Washington’s first World Series title, proving that steady Eddie types often save their best for when it matters most. Kendrick played with the reliability of a Swiss watch, showing up every day ready to do whatever his team needed.

Javier Báez – The Magician Who Made Defenders Disappear

Javier Báez brought showtime to the North Side, combining jaw-dropping defense with thunderous power that helped break the Cubs’ century-long curse. His no-look tags and impossible angles made Wrigley Field feel like a magic show, while his 104 home runs from 2016-2019 provided the fireworks. Báez played with the flair of a street performer and the skill of a master craftsman, turning routine plays into moments of pure artistry.

Rougned Odor – The Texas Tornado Who Packed a Punch

Rougned Odor made headlines for his legendary punch of José Bautista, but his 146 home runs from 2014-2019 proved he could hit more than just opposing players. His 30-homer seasons showcased a rare power-speed combination that made Arlington electric. Odor played with the intensity of a man defending his hometown, bringing passion and fire to every at-bat, every fielding chance, and occasionally, every brawl.

Neil Walker – The Switch-Hitting Professional Who Never Missed a Beat

Neil Walker was the journeyman’s journeyman, hitting .272 with 149 home runs during the decade while playing for five different teams. His switch-hitting ability made him valuable in any lineup, while his professional approach earned respect in every clubhouse he entered. Walker played baseball like a craftsman perfecting his trade, understanding that consistency and preparation were the keys to a long, productive career.

Jason Kipnis – The Cleveland Catalyst Who Made Tribe Fans Believe

Jason Kipnis was the heart and soul of Cleveland’s 2016 World Series run, hitting .261 with 124 homers during the decade while embodying the blue-collar spirit of the Rust Belt. His clutch postseason hitting nearly delivered the city’s first championship since 1948, falling just short in a Game 7 thriller. Kipnis played with the determination of a man who understood what baseball meant to a city hungry for glory.

Rickie Weeks – The Power Surge Who Could Change Games with One Swing

Rickie Weeks brought thunder to Milwaukee’s lineup during the early 2010s, launching 89 home runs from 2010-2014 while providing the kind of game-changing power that made Miller Park shake. His all-or-nothing approach frustrated fans and thrilled them in equal measure, embodying the high-risk, high-reward philosophy of modern baseball. Weeks played with the confidence of a man who knew that one swing could turn a loss into a win.

Aaron Hill – The Quiet Assassin Who Let His Bat Do the Talking

Aaron Hill was the steady professional who hit .267 with 89 home runs during the decade while playing solid defense for Arizona and Milwaukee. His 2012 season in the desert was pure magic—26 homers and 85 RBIs that helped keep the Diamondbacks competitive. Hill approached baseball with the methodical precision of an accountant, understanding that small, consistent contributions often matter more than flashy headlines.

Kolten Wong – The Defensive Dynamo Who Made Cardinals Fans Forget About Errors

Kolten Wong was pure poetry in motion at second base, earning a Gold Glove in the decade while hitting .265 with surprising pop for St. Louis. His range and instincts made routine plays look effortless and impossible plays look routine, embodying the Cardinals’ tradition of defensive excellence. Wong played with the grace of a ballet dancer and the instincts of a cat, turning double plays with an artistry that made Busch Stadium appreciate the finer points of the game.

Scooter Gennett – The Unlikely Hero Who Had One Magical Night

Scooter Gennett’s four-homer game in June 2017 was pure baseball magic, joining an exclusive club that includes legends like Lou Gehrig and Mike Schmidt. His 27-homer, 97-RBI season that year proved it wasn’t just one night of lightning in a bottle but sustained excellence. Gennett played with the joy of a kid who couldn’t believe he was getting paid to play baseball, bringing infectious enthusiasm to every at-bat and every fielding chance.

Gleyber Torres – The Baby Bomber Who Made Veteran Pitchers Feel Ancient

Gleyber Torres arrived in the Bronx in 2018 and immediately looked like he’d been wearing pinstripes his whole life, hitting 62 home runs in his first two seasons while terrorizing Baltimore pitching. His smooth swing and natural instincts at second base suggested the Yankees had found their next franchise cornerstone. Torres played with the confidence of a veteran and the exuberance of a rookie, bringing a perfect blend of skill and joy that reminded fans why they fell in love with baseball in the first place.