⚡ LATEST UPDATE: Statistics show Turang is far more well-rounded than many players above him – so what’s holding him back at 4th place? ⚡ .MH

In ESPN’s latest ranking, Buster Olney places Brice Turang at number 4 on the list of second basemen heading into the 2026 season.

On the surface, there’s nothing to complain about.

But when you look closely at the numbers, the story starts to get… confusing.

Above Turang are Ketel Marte, Nico Hoerner, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. All are excellent. No one denies that.

Marte has an OPS+ of 145 – clearly for the number 1 spot. Hoerner leads the pack with 6.1 WAR. Chisholm has 31 home runs in 130 games.

But what about Turang?

WAR 5.5 – second place.

OBP 0.359 – third.

97 runs – leading.

81 RBI – second.

Batting average – second.

OPS 0.794 – fourth. 24 steals – third.

18 home runs – though not a pure slugger.

And more importantly: a well-rounded profile.

Turang isn’t a one-dimensional player. He doesn’t rely solely on power like Chisholm, nor is he almost entirely dependent on his glove like Hoerner. He can do many things at once: base, running, scoring, plus-level defense, and even create game-changing moments with a noticeably improved swing in the second half of the season.

Olney may still doubt the power surge he had last August – when Turang hit 10 home runs in a single month. People may want to “see another year” before elevating him to No. 2.

But that’s precisely what makes Milwaukee Brewers fans feel he’s underrated.

Turang isn’t a flashy name. He doesn’t play in a big market like New York. He doesn’t have a constant stream of viral highlights. He quietly accumulated WAR, quietly racking up 97 runs – more than anyone else in the same position.

And in an era where spotlight often dictates narrative, this “quietness” can be a disadvantage.

The big question isn’t whether Turang deserves No. 1. Marte still has a solid case. But No. 4?

When he surpasses Hoerner in OPS by 55 points. When his defensive WAR is higher than both Marte and Chisholm. When he has more RBIs than everyone above him.

Are we prioritizing power over overall performance? Does a smaller market make achievements seem “less significant”?

Turang enters 2026 with many avenues for creating value: if power declines slightly, he still has OBP, speed, and defense. If power remains, he can truly propel himself into the elite group.

Perhaps Olney is just being cautious.

Or perhaps, the Brewers already possess a overlooked No. 2 – and the spring chart is just a reminder that sometimes, quiet brilliance needs another season to force everyone to look directly at it.

The question is: Does Turang need another year to prove something already obvious?

Or will he use No. 4 as momentum to rewrite the order starting in April?