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Atlanta Braves vs. NL East Position by Position 2020 Preview: Second Base

By Steven Teal

SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves looks on during a team workout at CoolToday Park on February 20, 2020 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves looks on during a team workout at CoolToday Park on February 20, 2020 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Jean Segura #2 of the Philadelphia Phillies. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
Jean Segura #2 of the Philadelphia Phillies. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Phillies

Fangraphs projected WAR at 2B: 2.3 (Segura)

Jean Segura was one of the biggest acquisitions made by the Phillies outside of signing Bryce Harper two offseasons ago.

He was traded from Seattle with a couple of pitchers for Carlos Santana and J.P. Crawford. He was a nice pick-up at the time and was a player I expected to help the Phillies a lot.

He would be the starting shortstop for the Phillies in 2020 but that changed when they made another great addition in Didi Gregorious. He’s pretty much a lock as the starting shortstop in 2020.

That leaves Segura moving to second base for Philidelphia. Now, there is talk that the Phillies want Segura at third and Kingery at second.

That could happen but it depends if Segura looks good there in the Spring, but I don’t think you’ll see Segura at third when the season starts.

Kingery has much better range at third base and profiles better there as well. Although, we could see them each interchange between the two positions throughout the season. So, for purposes of comparison, I’ll stick with Segura as the second baseman for Philly.

Offensively, Segura has been one of the best in the game in the past few years. He hit for a .300 average in three consecutive seasons between 2016-2018. That time was split between one season in Arizona and two in Seattle.

His average did take a slight dive in 2019 but it wasn’t a bad season whatsoever. Segura slashed .280/.323/.420 with a .743 OPS including 37 doubles, 12 homers, and 60 RBI. His strikeout percentage was pretty decent as well around 12%.

Had he not been on the IL for a short stint, he may have hit that .300 mark again — who knows.

As for his defense, it’s pretty darn good — at least from the eye test perspective. He shows pretty good range and arm strength but the numbers support that he’s an average defender.

Last year his DRS was -4 with a UZR of -1.3 and that’s not exactly the best number out there for a shortstop. However, moving to second base could help him improve in that area.

The Phillies, much like the Nationals, have two good options to choose from at second base. They’ll need to choose wisely.

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