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Top Fantasy Baseball Prospects: Shortstop

Carlos Correa

Carlos Correa will look to return to form following a season-ending leg injury

As we draw closer and closer to Opening Day, questions about ‘the next big thing’ only intensify. Therefore, we’re bringing you the top five prospects at each position, so that you can have a leg up on your competition. One quick note is that I chose to leave international players who will start 2015 in the majors off this list. That means no Yasmani Tomas, Rusney Castillo or potentially Hector Olivera. Even though they are technically rookies, I want to focus on players who have spent time in the minor leagues.

In this segment, we look at the top shortstop prospects headed for the majors in 2015. This year’s crop features more tools than a Home Depot. Carlos Correa and Corey Seager may be the only true five-tool players. However, Addison Russell, JP Crawford and Francisco Lindor have everything a coach and fantasy owner could ask for besides power. This group is a bit further away from the majors compared to other positions, but a lot can change with a strong Spring Training, so let’s take a look under the hood of these potential superstars.

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Carlos Correa – Astros

In 2014 we found out that minor league pitching could not slow down Carlos Correa, only a horrific leg injury could. At just 19 years old, Correa was tearing through High-A to the tune of a .325 AVG, 8 home runs and 30 stolen bases in just 62 games. Correa is quick on his feet for a 205 pounder. Paired with his impressive plate discipline and contact skills, 30+ steal seasons at the MLB level are more than just possible for this on-base machine. Entering his age-20 season this year, you can look for Correa to climb the minor league ladder and position himself to be making an impact in Houston by early 2016.

Addison Russell – Cubs

Addison Russell would be the No. 1 prospect for just about any team not named the Chicago Cubs. While he is further away from the majors than fellow super prospects Kris Bryant and Javier Baez, he has every bit the potential. Russell possesses strong hands and a short, quick swing that allow him to hit for both average and power to all fields. He projects to be a double-digit home run, .300+ AVG guy in a lineup that is shaping up to look scary good for the Cubs. This combination makes him especially valuable as a shortstop, where power and average are difficult to come by. Entering his 21-year-old season, Russell should move fast and make a push to get the call to play in Chicago by mid-season.

Corey Seager – Dodgers

Seager being listed as a shortstop is a bit of a stretch, as he will likely transition to third base sooner rather than later. His position may be somewhat of an uncertainty, but his bat is anything but. All Seager did last year was hit. Twenty home runs and a .349 average, tremendously impressive numbers even when you consider the offensive-friendly league in which he played. Seager’s swing is a little unorthodox, which likely contributes to the 20%+ strikeout rates at almost every level he has played at. However, he has a strong lower half and the ability to drive the ball to all parts of the field. His brother Kyle Seager has turned out to be an impressive major league player in his own right, but Corey has the potential to be much better once he gets the call to Los Angeles at some point in 2015.

Francisco Lindor – Indians

All things considered, Lindor is definitely the most likely player on this list to remain a shortstop throughout his career. True shortstops with a bat and glove like Lindor don’t just grow on trees. Lindor doesn’t hit for much power, but that is about the only thing he can’t do. He runs, can hit the ball to all fields from either side of the plate, and has an excellent glove at short. The Indians don’t have anyone at the major league level blocking Lindor at the moment. So a call up to the bigs should be inevitable at some point in early 2015.

JP Crawford – Phillies

As the Phillies gear up to begin the 2015 season, JP Crawford is one of the few bright spots for the Philadelphia franchise. Crawford’s rapid progression likely fueled the Phillies to move Jimmy Rollins earlier this offseason to open a spot up for him at shortstop, and could signal that he may not be as far away as some believe. Crawford is entering his 20-year-old season and looks to begin at Double-A, after an impressive performance across multiple levels last year. Crawford has quick hands and a short swing through the zone that helps him generate a lot of line-drive power. Additionally, his speed is perhaps his best attribute, as he projects to be a 30+ steal guy at the major league level. Crawford’s advanced plate discipline for a hitter as young as he is represents another promising sign when projecting the year ahead. I would surmise a September call-up to be the best case scenario for 2015, with a good look at the Opening Day roster in 2016 the most likely possibility.

Top Fantasy Baseball Prospects: Outfielders

Top Fantasy Baseball Prospects: Starting Pitchers

Top Fantasy Baseball Prospects: Third Basemen

Bobby Jacowleff is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Bobby, check out his archive.

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