Kansas City's Bobby Witt Jr. Continues to Reign Supreme
Shortstop is often considered the most crucial position on the baseball diamond, serving as the anchor for both defensive and offensive strategies. Over the years, this position has housed some of the sport's biggest stars, and as we approach the 2026 MLB season, it remains a hot topic of conversation among analysts and fans alike. At the forefront of this dialogue is Kansas City Royals standout Bobby Witt Jr., who has firmly established himself as the face of the position. However, he is not alone; a host of talented veterans and emerging stars fill the ranks of shortstops across Major League Baseball.
Evaluating Team Units, Not Individual Performances
The rankings for shortstop performance this season are based on team units rather than individual players, recognizing that many shortstops also split time at other positions. For instance, Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers has shown remarkable skill, but his contributions have been divided largely between shortstop and third base. All 30 MLB teams' shortstop performance has been assessed by taking into account their offensive and defensive statistics, as well as the trajectories of their players as we look toward the end of the 2026 season. Let's dive into the rankings to see how each team is faring.
30. Colorado Rockies
Leading the Rockies at shortstop is Ezequiel Tovar, who has had a difficult season, ranking 140th among 141 qualified hitters with a dismal 54 OPS+. From formerly holding a Gold Glove title, he has slipped to a below-average defender with -2 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). Despite having four years left on his contract, Tovar's performance is troubling for the Rockies.
29. Boston Red Sox
Trevor Story's injury woes have plagued the Red Sox, as he managed only 48 games with a 71 OPS+. In his absence, strong performances have come from Andruw Monasterio, who filled in capably, but the lack of a consistent presence at shortstop has left the team weak in this crucial position.
28. Tampa Bay Rays
Taylor Walls has donned the Rays' shortstop uniform for 109 games, but his offensive output has been lackluster, hitting only .218/.304/.292. The Rays' commitment to a defensive-first approach at the position has limited their offensive capability, making it a challenging year overall.
27. Atlanta Braves
The Braves signed Ha-Seong Kim to stabilize their shortstop situation, but it has turned into a position plagued by inconsistency. They have cycled through several players, with Mauricio Dubón leading in starts at the position, yet the collective hitting numbers reflect significant struggles.
26. Seattle Mariners
J.P. Crawford began the year strong but suffered injuries that hampered his productivity. Following a transitional phase, the Mariners are left with uncertainty at the shortstop position looking forward, which has left the team primarily reliant on interim solutions.
25. New York Yankees
In the Bronx, George Lombard Jr. and Anthony Volpe have had their challenges this season. Despite José Caballero's valiant efforts, the Yankees have floundered at the shortstop position, and Volpe's struggles have compounded the issues.
24. Milwaukee Brewers
The transition to Cooper Pratt has shown some flashes of promise, yet collectively the Brewers' shortstop unit features a lack of offensive firepower, reflected in their overall batting line of .228/.313/.309.
23. Oakland Athletics
Jacob Wilson, despite a rocky season marred by injury, has inked a lengthy contract with the Athletics. His absence has allowed under-the-radar contributors such as Alika Williams to emerge, but the overall production still puts the Athletics in a scramble.
22. Pittsburgh Pirates
Konnor Griffin—once the number one prospect—showed promise but faced a setback due to injuries. Although the team remains hopeful about his future, the current production has not met expectations.
21. Minnesota Twins
Kaelen Culpepper's impressive debut has raised hopes among the Twins’ fanbase. His batting stats show promise, yet the team still finds itself striving for more stability from the shortstop position.
20. Philadelphia Phillies
Trea Turner, despite being an established veteran, has struggled with his performance to bring the Phillies down in the rankings. Still, he provides a reliable option at the position as they continue to seek improvement.
19. San Francisco Giants
Willy Adames offers some power for the Giants, but his recent performance lacks quality in other areas, limiting his overall contributions. As Christian Koss steps in, the team is left adjusting its approach.
18. San Diego Padres
Xander Bogaerts finds himself in a challenging position due to low stats, but his durability has kept him on the field. The Padres will need to see improvement from him as they rely on his experience.
17. New York Mets
Francisco Lindor's struggles this season can be attributed to injuries, but some hope remains with contributions from Bo Bichette when covering for him during parts of the year.
16. Toronto Blue Jays
Andrés Giménez presents a solid defensive presence but lacks offensive support, placing the Blue Jays right in the middle of the rankings.
15. St. Louis Cardinals
Masyn Winn showcases elite defense but is still working on refining his offensive contributions, making him a potential Gold Glove contender despite limited run production.
14. Chicago White Sox
Colson Montgomery stands out thanks to his home run power but suffers from a low batting average overall. The White Sox continue to hope for a more rounded output moving forward.
13. Cleveland Guardians
Brayan Rocchio has turned his game around significantly, showcasing a marked improvement in both defense and offense, which brings optimism for the Guardians’ future.
12. Baltimore Orioles
Gunnar Henderson has taken a step back this season, but his ability to provide home runs keeps him in the conversation as a potential impact player.
11. Detroit Tigers
Kevin McGonigle is a bright spot in a unit that has been hampered by other players underperforming. His dual role is ensuring that the Tigers remain competitive.
Top Teams: The Best Shortstop Units in MLB
As we progress through the rankings, teams that are benefitting from prolific shortstops emerge, most notably the Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds, with Bobby Witt Jr. and Elly De La Cruz leading the charge, respectively.
2. Cincinnati Reds
Elly De La Cruz finds himself thriving with a power-speed combination, highlighted by his 133 OPS+ performance, making him a worthy contender for the title of best shortstop in the league.
1. Kansas City Royals
At the pinnacle of this discussion sits Bobby Witt Jr. Remarkably robust offensively with 30 home runs and an AL-leading 6.4 WAR, he continues to dominate with both bat and glove, solidifying his status as the top shortstop in baseball.
