The Exciting Landscape of MLB Shortstops
The shortstop position in Major League Baseball is witnessing a wave of talent, as new stars emerge alongside seasoned veterans. Players like Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, and Elly De La Cruz are taking the field by storm, contributing significantly to their teams. However, not every franchise enjoys the luxury of a top-tier shortstop. This article kicks off a series that will rank each MLB team's primary shortstop ahead of the 2025 season, focusing solely on their offensive and defensive contributions for the year, without considering past accolades or future forecasts. So, how does your team's shortstop stack up?
30 to 21: The Struggling Candidates
Starting our list at the bottom, Trey Sweeney</ of the Detroit Tigers has not impressed in his sophomore year. With a .207 batting average and a WAR of -0.4, he has struggled defensively as well.
Following him is Gabriel Arias from the Cleveland Guardians, who showcases solid defense but less impressive offensive numbers. A similar fate befalls Taylor Walls from the Tampa Bay Rays, whose defensive efforts are overshadowed by below-average hitting.
Jared Triolo, now a starting shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has made a name for himself with defensive accolades but lacks offensive firepower. The Minnesota Twins' Brooks Lee finds himself ranked next, demonstrating the potential but needing more consistency to climb the ranks.
Rounding out these positions are Nick Allen (Atlanta Braves), who has one of the lowest slugging percentages in MLB history but provides defensive reliability, and Joey Ortiz of the Milwaukee Brewers, who appears to be settling into his new role but hasn't quite reached previous heights.
The Mid-Range Stars: 20 to 11
Anthony Volpe of the New York Yankees showcases flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency this season. Meanwhile, Ezequiel Tovar of the Colorado Rockies is back after injuries but is part of a struggling franchise.
J.P. Crawford of the Seattle Mariners has seen a noticeable dip in performance after a promising start, while the ever-reliable Mookie Betts has offered Gold Glove-caliber defense, despite offensive concerns.
Trevor Story of the Boston Red Sox appears healthier and productive, turning heads with his speed and power. At the same time, Jacob Wilson of the Athletics is seeing a resurgence after injury, compelling fans to watch his comeback story.
Xander Bogaerts is faring well in his return to shortstop for the San Diego Padres, while Willy Adames, now with the Giants, has overcome an early season slump to produce significant offensive numbers. CJ Abrams from the Washington Nationals completes this section, showcasing improved metrics from his previous All-Star season.
The Top Ten Contenders
In the top tier, Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays stands out with elite offensive stats but raises questions about his defense, while Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds delivers an exciting mix of speed and power but needs to improve his glove work.
Zach Neto has returned after injury to make a huge impact for the Los Angeles Angels, being one of their standout players. Meanwhile, Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles continues to impress with consistent performance.
Corey Seager of the Texas Rangers has shown elite production when healthy, contributing significantly after dealing with injuries earlier in the season.
Emerging stars like Jeremy Peña of the Astros and Francisco Lindor from the Mets are performing at remarkable levels, setting benchmarks for their positions.
At the very top, Trea Turner is shaping up for his best season, appearing as a viable candidate for the MVP race this year, while Bobby Witt Jr. continues to define excellence in the shortstop role.
