[Big Six]

Many experts believe there's a shortage of talent at the keystone right now. The names at the head of this list have star power, but I'd say half the teams in baseball wouldn't mind having a stronger player at second base than the one they have now.

1. Charlie Gehringer, Washington
2. Stan Campbell, Chicago Cubs
3. Luke Appling, New York Giants
4. Tony Lazzeri, Pittsburgh
5. Billy Herman, Hollywood
6. Brian Benton, New York Yankees
7. Aaron Luxton, San Francisco
8. Al Cuccinello, Oakland
9. Odell Hale, San Diego
10. Fresco Thompson, Cleveland
11. Joe Jones, Boston
12. Ty Lewis, Chicago White Sox
13. Alex Kampouris, Baltimore
14. Cookie Lavagetto, Sacramento
15. Ben Chapman, Detroit
16. Mickey Haslin, Philadelphia
17. Les Mallon, Milwaukee
18. Miguel Rios, Portland
19. Nig Lipscomb, Cincinnati
20. Jay Green, Brooklyn
21. Chuck Sheerin, Los Angeles
22. Tracy Miller, Seattle
23. Gregory Miller, St. Louis
24. Rodney Green, Kansas City

Brian Benton appeared on the scene as a 33-year-old free agent in 1936. he was briefly with Hollywood, before the Yankees acquired him a trade. He hit .314 in 153 AB in 1936. His ratings indicate that performance might not have been a fluke.

Luxton, also a free agent who debuted in 1936 at age 27, hit .309 in limited action for the Seals. Upside: .340/.440/.450.

The best young second basemen are:
1. Lewis
2. John Mihalic, Sacramento
3. Bobby Doerr, Boston
4. Kampouris
5. Eddie Joost, Hollywood

Mihalic and Doerr are similar players, but I think Doerr is actually a little bit better. Mihalic is a dazzling fielder, however.