MLB Pipeline continued their rankings of top ten prospects at each position, announcing the best second baseman on Monday. Alen Hanson ranked sixth among second baseman. Even though he switched to second base in August in 2014, he was considered a shortstop for MLB Pipeline’s list last year and didn’t make the top ten at a deep position. However, they had him third overall among second baseman on the top 100 prospects list, which was updated mid-season.
Hanson is expected to arrive in Pittsburgh during the 2016 season. If Jung-Ho Kang isn’t ready to go Opening Day, you could see Hanson make the team at the beginning of the season, though it’s unlikely he would stick with the team as a bench player after Kang returns. He has been gaining versatility by playing some third base and shortstop since switching to second base, but a large majority of his time has been spent at second, so he could use more time at those spots before assuming a Major League utility role. Hanson hit .263/.313/387 with Indianapolis last year, doing that at age 22, which put him among the youngest players in the league to start the season. He stole 35 bases and was named the top defensive second baseman in the International League.
The Pirates have done well the first five lists from MLB Pipeline, with Josh Bell placing second among the top first baseman, Elias Diaz and Reese McGuire making the catching list, and Tyler Glasnow ranking second for right-handed pitchers.