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ALL-DECADE TEAM

Second base has been an interesting position thus far in the PBL. The assumption was that, by this point, Nap Lajoie would have piled up 10 productive years after being taken by the Arizona Sandmen in the inaugural draft. But it didn't work out that way, as Lajoie never matched his stellar rookie year, was productive for five seasons before injuries chipped away at him and left him where he now sits...a free agent, released by Orlando before last season who is hoping to once again catch on.

Jackie Robinson has only three years under his belt at this point, and, while dynamic, still hasn't approached the ceiling most expect for him, though he's only 26 and plays for the PBL's worst team.

Fred Dunlap leads most categories among Keystoners, including homers (227), RBI (861), runs (704) and most defensive numbers, as well as games. But he doesn't get the nod here either. Instead, we go with a youngster whose first five seasons trump everyone else, backed by a steady and unheralded performer.

Starting Second Baseman

Eddie Collins (Wichita Brigade, 2014-2018)

Taken 8th in the best draft class in PBL history (November 2013), all Collins has done in five seasons is bat .331, win a batting title, a Gold Gloves, earn three All-Star appearances and rack up 200 hits in four of his five seasons (the only season he didn't was 2015, in which he had 121 hits in 82 games before a concussion ended his season). He gets lost in the shadow of draft-mates Ty Cobb, Joe Jackson and Tris Speaker, but Collins has been the best second baseman in PBL history without question.

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2014 Wichita - PBL	20	156	637	228	38	2	3	64	96	79	4	1	36	38	37	.358	.431	.438	.869	58.4
2015 Wichita - PBL	21	82	346	121	23	2	1	51	62	37	1	5	19	19	17	.350	.409	.436	.845	26.8
2016 Wichita - PBL	22	145	620	203	35	7	2	54	89	57	4	6	44	19	26	.327	.384	.416	.800	40.0
2017 Wichita - PBL	23	156	658	202	22	10	2	53	108	58	1	6	38	33	22	.307	.361	.380	.741	32.7
2018 Wichita - PBL	24	156	645	209	24	3	2	58	96	64	3	5	42	30	27	.324	.385	.380	.765	32.0
Total PBL		695	2906	963	142	24	10	280	451	295	13	23	179	139	129	.331	.393	.407	.800	190.0

Backup Second Baseman

Hardy Richardson (Louisville Racers, 2009-2014; Boston Riders, 2015-2016; Los Angeles Idols, 2017-2018)

A two-time All-Star and one-time Gold Glove winner, Richardson and the aforementioned Dunlap have had similar careers. In fact, Dunlap's overall numbers are slightly better. But Richardson gets the nod for a bit better OPS (.769 to .748), largely a function of his superior patience. Dunlap has essentially become a power threat and nothing more...his last four seasons he has been unable to top a .315 OBP. Richardson has dipped below that mark once in 10 years. It's debatable, but Richardson also has a ring now after winning with the Los Angeles Idols this season, giving him that final push.

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2009 Louisville - PBL	24	148	515	155	43	2	10	86	75	80	3	5	106	2	1	.301	.395	.450	.845	46.7
2010 Louisville - PBL	25	127	461	98	19	1	10	62	47	64	2	2	81	0	0	.213	.310	.323	.633	2.9
2011 Louisville - PBL	26	157	607	150	25	0	18	83	84	70	3	10	104	0	0	.247	.323	.377	.700	15.3
2012 Louisville - PBL	27	153	603	149	31	1	21	108	80	73	3	7	109	1	0	.247	.328	.406	.734	21.2
2013 Louisville - PBL	28	156	591	161	39	1	26	95	86	69	1	8	94	0	1	.272	.345	.474	.819	38.8
2014 Louisville - PBL	29	132	490	140	27	2	21	67	66	52	3	3	69	0	1	.286	.356	.478	.833	37.1
2015 Boston - PBL	30	136	488	123	15	4	13	72	57	69	2	6	65	0	1	.252	.343	.379	.722	16.5
2016 Boston - PBL	31	116	409	109	33	0	19	82	62	61	3	2	64	0	1	.267	.364	.487	.851	35.9
2017 Los Angeles - PBL	32	111	381	107	17	1	14	47	51	50	3	2	54	1	0	.281	.367	.441	.808	24.3
2018 Los Angeles - PBL	33	69	204	48	9	0	11	34	32	25	0	2	45	0	1	.235	.316	.441	.757	5.6
Total PBL		1305	4749	1240	258	12	163	736	640	613	23	47	791	4	6	.261	.345	.423	.769	244.5