2018 Positional Top 10: Shortstop
Matt Linder
The current crop of shortstops might be the most exciting position in baseball. The time of glove-only shortstops is over; these guys are impact players on both sides of the ball.
Nobody on this list is over 30 years old, and the top four players have already established themselves as perennial MVP candidates. Enjoy!
1. Carlos Correa
In a loaded position, the defending World Series champion has earned the slight edge. Despite only playing 109 games in 2017, Correa still finished second among shortstops in WAR (6.3). Last season, he hit .315/.391/.550 with 24 home runs. The combination of power and plate discipline is a nightmare for opposing pitchers. Correa pairs this explosive offensive production with very solid defense. At only 23 years old, Correa is already a bonafide superstar.
2. Francisco Lindor
The Indians’ shortstop hopped on the launch angle bandwagon last season and it showed in his home run total. Lindor hit more dingers in 2017 (33) than he did in his first two seasons combined (27). Whether the focus on home runs had an effect or not, the 24-year old’s batting average and OBP both fell last year compared to 2016. However, a slashline of .273/.337/.505 combined with elite defense equals a perennial MVP candidate.
3. Corey Seager
Seager rounds out what is essentially a three-way tie for the top spot in the rankings. The Dodger’s shortstop finished third in WAR (5.6) among his positional peers last season. He hit .295/.375/.479 with 22 home runs in 2017. In addition to his impressive bat, Seager also grades out as one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball.
4. Manny Machado
This season will be Machado’s first full campaign as a major league shortstop, after spending the first five years of his career at third base. The 25-year old had an extremely down year in 2017, only hitting .259/.310/.471 (the 33 home runs were the sole bright stop). The Orioles’ new shortstop is just a few years removed from back-to-back top five MVP finishes in 2015 and 2016. The talent is undeniable, but there are some concerns about his ability to handle the defensive workload over the course of a 162 game season, especially considering his prior knee injury. I expect a bounce back year for Machado as he enters free agency at the end of the season.
5. Didi Gregorius
The Yankees’ shortstop has continued to improve in each of his first three seasons in pinstripes. In 2017, Gregorius hit .287/.318/.478 with 25 home runs, despite missing one month due to a shoulder injury. He finished sixth among shortstops with a 3.7 WAR. Although the 28-year old will never walk much, the combination of power, contact and excellent defense makes him one of the most valuable shortstops in baseball.
6. Andrelton Simmons
The Angels’ shortstop makes this list because he might be the best fielder in baseball, regardless of position. The combination of arm strength, range and soft hands is mesmerizing. He finally coupled this fielding ability with league-average offensive production. Although a slashline of .278/.331/.421 with 14 home runs is nothing special, when paired with his defense, it makes Simmons an incredibly valuable player (7.1 WAR).
7. Trea Turner
Turner has all of the tools to breakout in 2018. He is only 24 years old and possesses both power and speed. In only 98 games last season, the Nationals’ shortstop hit .284/.338/.451 with 11 home runs and 46 steals. If Turner can stay healthy, I expect his power numbers to increase significantly this season.
8. Elvis Andrus
Over the past two seasons, Andrus has finally put together the offensive numbers Rangers’ fans have been waiting for. In 2017, the 29-year old experienced a power surge, hitting .297/.337/.471 with 20 home runs. His previous career high in dingers was eight in 2016. Andrus has always played good defense, and now that his bat has caught up to the glove, he is a top ten shortstop in baseball.
9. Paul DeJong
The Cardinals’ shortstop had a breakout year in 2017. DeJong did not even start the season in the big leagues, but once he was called up in late-May, he raked. The 24-year old hit .285/.325/.532 with 25 home runs in only 108 games. Extrapolated over a full season, DeJong “would have” hit 38 home runs. Since his defense is just average and he does not walk much, much of his value is tied up in his power. Should he avoid a sophomore slump this season, DeJong could move up a few spots in next year’s ranking.
10. Trevor Story
I am betting on a bounce back season for Story. After hitting .272/.341/.567 with 27 home runs only two seasons ago, the Rockies’ shortstop struggled mightily in 2017. He reached base in only 30% of his plate appearances and became a “strikeout or home run” hitter. Story plays good defense and with a rebound offensively, he will definitely prove his place on this ranking.
Also Considered:
Brandon Crawford - Giants
Xander Bogaerts – Red Sox
Addison Russell – Cubs
Jean Segura – Mariners
**All WAR stats come from Baseball Reference
Please check back again tomorrow for my top 10 left fielders in 2018.
If you have any questions, comments or criticisms feel free to reach out to me at mattlinder2@gmail.com
The current crop of shortstops might be the most exciting position in baseball. The time of glove-only shortstops is over; these guys are impact players on both sides of the ball.
Nobody on this list is over 30 years old, and the top four players have already established themselves as perennial MVP candidates. Enjoy!
 |
| Bob Levey - Getty Images |
1. Carlos Correa
In a loaded position, the defending World Series champion has earned the slight edge. Despite only playing 109 games in 2017, Correa still finished second among shortstops in WAR (6.3). Last season, he hit .315/.391/.550 with 24 home runs. The combination of power and plate discipline is a nightmare for opposing pitchers. Correa pairs this explosive offensive production with very solid defense. At only 23 years old, Correa is already a bonafide superstar.
 |
| Jason Miller - Getty Images |
2. Francisco Lindor
The Indians’ shortstop hopped on the launch angle bandwagon last season and it showed in his home run total. Lindor hit more dingers in 2017 (33) than he did in his first two seasons combined (27). Whether the focus on home runs had an effect or not, the 24-year old’s batting average and OBP both fell last year compared to 2016. However, a slashline of .273/.337/.505 combined with elite defense equals a perennial MVP candidate.
 |
| Christian Petersen - Getty Images |
3. Corey Seager
Seager rounds out what is essentially a three-way tie for the top spot in the rankings. The Dodger’s shortstop finished third in WAR (5.6) among his positional peers last season. He hit .295/.375/.479 with 22 home runs in 2017. In addition to his impressive bat, Seager also grades out as one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball.
 |
| G Fiume - Getty Images |
4. Manny Machado
This season will be Machado’s first full campaign as a major league shortstop, after spending the first five years of his career at third base. The 25-year old had an extremely down year in 2017, only hitting .259/.310/.471 (the 33 home runs were the sole bright stop). The Orioles’ new shortstop is just a few years removed from back-to-back top five MVP finishes in 2015 and 2016. The talent is undeniable, but there are some concerns about his ability to handle the defensive workload over the course of a 162 game season, especially considering his prior knee injury. I expect a bounce back year for Machado as he enters free agency at the end of the season.
 |
| Brad Penner - USA TODAY Sports |
5. Didi Gregorius
The Yankees’ shortstop has continued to improve in each of his first three seasons in pinstripes. In 2017, Gregorius hit .287/.318/.478 with 25 home runs, despite missing one month due to a shoulder injury. He finished sixth among shortstops with a 3.7 WAR. Although the 28-year old will never walk much, the combination of power, contact and excellent defense makes him one of the most valuable shortstops in baseball.
 |
| Paul Rodriguez - Orange County Register |
6. Andrelton Simmons
The Angels’ shortstop makes this list because he might be the best fielder in baseball, regardless of position. The combination of arm strength, range and soft hands is mesmerizing. He finally coupled this fielding ability with league-average offensive production. Although a slashline of .278/.331/.421 with 14 home runs is nothing special, when paired with his defense, it makes Simmons an incredibly valuable player (7.1 WAR).
 |
| Tony Quinn - Icon Sportswire |
7. Trea Turner
Turner has all of the tools to breakout in 2018. He is only 24 years old and possesses both power and speed. In only 98 games last season, the Nationals’ shortstop hit .284/.338/.451 with 11 home runs and 46 steals. If Turner can stay healthy, I expect his power numbers to increase significantly this season.
 |
| Rick Yeatts - Getty Images |
8. Elvis Andrus
Over the past two seasons, Andrus has finally put together the offensive numbers Rangers’ fans have been waiting for. In 2017, the 29-year old experienced a power surge, hitting .297/.337/.471 with 20 home runs. His previous career high in dingers was eight in 2016. Andrus has always played good defense, and now that his bat has caught up to the glove, he is a top ten shortstop in baseball.
 |
| Hunter Martin - Getty Images |
9. Paul DeJong
The Cardinals’ shortstop had a breakout year in 2017. DeJong did not even start the season in the big leagues, but once he was called up in late-May, he raked. The 24-year old hit .285/.325/.532 with 25 home runs in only 108 games. Extrapolated over a full season, DeJong “would have” hit 38 home runs. Since his defense is just average and he does not walk much, much of his value is tied up in his power. Should he avoid a sophomore slump this season, DeJong could move up a few spots in next year’s ranking.
 |
| Isaiah J. Downing - USA TODAY Sports |
10. Trevor Story
I am betting on a bounce back season for Story. After hitting .272/.341/.567 with 27 home runs only two seasons ago, the Rockies’ shortstop struggled mightily in 2017. He reached base in only 30% of his plate appearances and became a “strikeout or home run” hitter. Story plays good defense and with a rebound offensively, he will definitely prove his place on this ranking.
Also Considered:
Brandon Crawford - Giants
Xander Bogaerts – Red Sox
Addison Russell – Cubs
Jean Segura – Mariners
**All WAR stats come from Baseball Reference
Please check back again tomorrow for my top 10 left fielders in 2018.
If you have any questions, comments or criticisms feel free to reach out to me at mattlinder2@gmail.com
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