Yankees organizational depth: second basemen
By Greg Corcoran
The Yankees have been blessed with stability at second base ever since Gleyber Torres moved over from shortstop in 2022. Being able to pencil in 20+ homeruns, 25+ doubles, 10+ stolen bases, and a .750+ OPS the past couple of years has been a nice luxury. His best season may be yet to come (with the exception of the juiced ball year in 2019), with 2024 being a contract year for Gleyber. The overall depth at second base in the organization is strong. The Yankees should be able to find Torres’ replacement internally if he ends of leaving the organization in free agency after 2024.
In the event that Gleyber needs a rest day or is out with an injury, DJ Lemahieu could shift over from third base and fill in. Aaron Boone could also opt to use Oswaldo Cabrera or Oswald Peraza in that case.
As mentioned in a the article about shortstop depth, Cabrera and Peraza appear ready to take the next step in their development this year.
The Yankees have fantastic depth in the minor leagues at second base, especially when you consider that most of their shortstops could slide over to second base if the need arises. Strictly considering true second baseman, however, the minor league system is full of good second basemen with no shortage of potential and upside.
Jorbit Vivas was recently acquired in a trade with the Dodgers for Trey Sweeney. Vivas has had success through Double-A and will look to prepare himself for the MLB in 2024. Vivas is a good defender and a patient hitter. He makes a ton of hard contact and has average power for a second baseman. He could be the heir apparent at second base if Gleyber Torres departs.
Waiting in the wings in Double-A is Caleb Durbin. Durbin is coming off a fantastic season which he replicated in the desert during the Arizona Fall League. Durbin is an unbelievable contact hitter who gets on base with the best of them. He also steals bases at an alarming rate. He’ll have to increase his power to get serious consideration as a major league starter, but I’d be surprised at this point if he doesn’t make a career as a role player somewhere.
Below Durbin in High-A are Roc Riggio and Jared Serna. Serna will probably play a lot of shortstop this year, but I suspect he’ll end up as either a utility man or second base long term. Riggio is a ball of energy who plays with passion. He hit 18 homeruns in college last year, and after playing in the Big 12 should have a smooth transition to professional ball.
In Low-A, the Yankees will have Keiner Delgado and Enmanuel Tejeda playing most of the games at second base. Keiner is a switch-hitting dynamic player with speed, defense, and surprising power. Enmanuel had a great season in the FCL, with a .307/.465/.458/.923 quad slash. He had five homeruns, four doubles, three triples, and 24 SB. He walked 44 times and struck out 44 in 50 games. He’s part of a deep, polished group of middle infielders heading to Tampa this year.
Gabriel Terrero is another switch-hitting second baseman who has a lot in common with Keiner Delgado. He’s patient, polished, and has excellent pop for his size. Luis Ogando had a big year in the DSL in 2023 and should be a part of another talented FCL team this year.
Second base is another position that figures to be a strong point for the Yankees in the minor leagues in the coming season. From the major leagues all the way down to the FCL, there are exciting players to watch at every level.