MLB Highest-Paid Second Basemen – Salaries Ranking for 2022 Season

The second base position is typically not one of the heavier hitting positions on the diamond, but there’s a few exceptions at the top of this list.

While defense is a priority in the middle infield, stars like Altuve and Story bring plenty to the table at the plate.

Here’s a breakdown of the highest-paid second basemen in 2022, followed by the table with salaries at the bottom. 

Jose Altuve is the highest-paid second baseman in baseball, and he backs it up on the field. Altuve’s career has now spanned over a decade and all of it has come with the Houston Astros. He’s a seven-time All-Star, and won a World Series and the American League MVP in 2017. Altuve signed a contract extension in 2018 for five years and $151 million.

Marcus Semien made his debut with the White Sox but was traded to Oakland in 2014 as part of a deal for Jeff Samardzija. He spent the second half of the decade in green and gold, before signing a one-year contract with the Blue Jays for 2021. The move paid off as he had a career year, winning the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards. He turned that success into a seven-year, $175 million deal with the Rangers. 

Trevor Story made his debut with the Rockies in 2016 and spent the next five years enjoying the perks of being a hitter in Coors Field. He was an All-Star and Silver Slugger in both 2018 and 2019. Story signed a six-year deal with the Red Sox in 2022 worth $140 million.

Jean Segura has spent time with the Angels, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Mariners, and now Phillies. He signed a five-year, $70 million contract with Seattle in 2017 but was traded to Philadelphia after the second year of that deal. Segura is a two-time All-Star, with appearances in 2013 and 2018.

Kolton Wong made his debut with the Cardinals in 2013, and stayed there through 2020. He’s turned into one of the best defensive second basemen in the sport, earning a Gold Glove in 2019 and 2020. Wong signed a two-year, $18 million contract with the Brewers before the 2021 season.

Ketel Marte broke into the Majors in 2015 with the Mariners, but was traded to the Diamondbacks before the 2017 season. He led the National League in triples in 2018 and made his first All-Star team in 2019. Just before the 2022 season began, Marte signed a five-year, $76 million extension with Arizona. 

Adam Frazier came up with the Pirates in 2016 and spent the early years of his career there before being traded to the Padres in 2021, the year he made his first All-Star appearance and hit over .300. Following the season, Frazier was traded once again, this time to the Mariners. 

Jonathan Schoop spent the majority of his career thus far in Baltimore, but has had stints in Milwaukee, Minnesota, and now Detroit. He was an All-Star in 2017 with the Orioles when he hit .293 with 32 home runs and 105 RBIs. Schoop signed a two-year, $15 million extension with the Tigers in 2021. 

Whit Merrifield has spent his entire career with the Kansas City Royals since making his debut in 2016. He’s been selected to two All-Star teams in 2019 and 2021, and has led the American League in steals three different seasons. Merrifield’s contract was restructured for him to earn $7 million in 2022.

Gleyber Torres came up with the Yankees in 2018 and made the American League All-Star team in each of his first two seasons. Torres hit a whopping 38 home runs in 2019. He signed a one-year, $6.25 million contract with the Yankees to avoid arbitration prior to 2022.