Defensively, shortstops are some of the most important players in the infield. Offensively, they are usually more of contact hitters and speedy players. These days it is becoming more and more likely for shortstops to have some occasional pop. Here are the top shortstops in the MLB today.
Top Shortstops in MLB
10. Trevor Story
Story only appeared in 97 games last season, however he finished 4th in NL Rookie of the Year voting. Story is a pure, raw power hitter. In 372 at-bats, he hit to an average of .272 with 21 doubles, 27 home runs, and 72 RBI’s. He won Rookie of the month for the month of April, as he hit 10 home runs in the first month of the season. Story’s number may be Coors Field aided, however that should not take anything away from his raw power. The one issue with Story is that he strikes out a lot and is a streaky hitter, however when he is hot he can not be stopped.
9. Trea Turner
Turner spent most of his time playing the outfield last seasons, however he is expected to be the everyday shortstop in 2017. Turner’s game is based on his pure speed. Last season he finished second in Rookie of the Year voting after appearing in only 73 games. He hit to an average of .342 with 13 home runs and 40 RBI’s. He also finished fifth in the league with 33 stolen bases and 8 triples. As mentioned before, Turner’s game is based around his blazing speed.
8. Addison Russell
Addison Russell was one of the very best prospects in baseball a couple of years ago. Last season he had some huge success, being named to his first NL All-Star team. He hit .238 with 21 home runs and 95 RBI’s last season. Part of Russell’s success last season was due to his increased walk numbers and decreased strike out numbers. Defensively, he is one of the best fielders in the game. He has a tremendous set of tools, both offensively and defensively.
7. Dansby Swanson
Swanson is a stud. The rookie out of Vanderbilt can flat out play ball. In just 38 games last season, Swanson hit .308 with 3 home runs and 17 RBI’s. He has a sweet, smooth swing, and some excellent bat speed. He is a gap to gap hitter, who can put some over the fence. Defensively, Swanson is extremely smart and trusts his instincts. He has some sure hands and a plus arm. The kid definitely has some room to grow and although we have only seen a small sample size, Swanson has the ability to be one of the next best things at short.
6. Jean Segura
Segura finally came into his own offensively last season. He recorded a career high 203 hits in the regular season. It was the first two-hundred hit season in the majors since 2014. He also became one of only eight players in MLB history to record two hundred hits, thirty stolen bases (33), forty doubles (41), and twenty home runs (20) in one season. He truly had a career year, finishing 13th in NL MVP voting. Segura will look to build off this strong year in Seattle, hitting at the top of one of the bets offenses in baseball.
5. Brandon Crawford
Crawford is easily the best defensive shortstop in baseball. He has won back to back Gold Gloves the past two season and had the highest defensive WAR last season. Offensively, Crawford doesn’t give much away at the plate. He is a .250-.260 hitter with around 10-15 homers and about 75 RBI’s. Crawford had a career high in hits (152), batting average (.275), and a league leading 11 triples. Overall, he has an above average glove and is just starting to scratch the surface offensively.
4. Carlos Correa
Correa could be the top shortstop in todays game if not for injuries. At just 17 years old, Correa was the number 1 pick in the 2012 draft. In 2015, appearing in only 99 gamers, Correa hit .279 with 22 home runs and 68 RBI’s, and won the AL Rookie of the Year. This past season, his first full season, he hit .274 with 20 home runs and 96 RBI’s. Correa is a leader, he carries himself very well for a young guy. Offensively, at 6-foot-4 he has 30-homer power, but his plate discipline needs some improvement. Defensively, he has a plus arm and size, and a good first step on the ball.
3. Xander Bogaerts
The shortstop from Aruba is one of the best in the game. More known for his offensive production, Bogaerts is a two-time Silver Slugger. Last season he hit to an average of .294 with 21 home runs. He finished fifth in the AL in runs scored (115), fifth in hits (192), and third in singles (136). Bogaerts has a long swing, however he has some serious bat speed. Xander has improved on his plate discipline, as he drew 256 walks last season. Defensively, he has some average foot speed and range, however he makes excellent reads of the ball off the bat.
2. Francisco Lindor
Lindor is a true baseball rat—the kid plays the game with some serious passion. Lindor is a line drive hitter, but has shown some strokes of power at times. The thing that stands out the most with Lindor is his defense. He has soft hands and is smooth at short. In 2015 he finished in second in Rookie of the Year voting, after hitting .313 with 12 home runs and 51 RBI’s in 99 games. This past season he finished ninth in MVP voting and was awarded his first (of many) Gold Glove award.
1. Corey Seager
At only 22 years old, Seager is the best shortstop in the league. In his first full season as a Major Leaguer, he was named NL Rookie of the Year, finished third in NL MVP voting, was named to the NL All-Star team, and won his first Silver Slugger award. He finished second in hits (193), 6th in singles (122), 7th in doubles (40), 4th in total bases (321), and 7th in batting average (.308). Offensively, Seager has no real flaws at the plate.
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