Do you remember what the shortstop position used to look like in fantasy baseball? Remember how frustrating it was to have Alex Rodriguez move over to third base and lose shortstop eligibility?
For a time, it was top-heavy with few power/speed options at the position.
My, my, my how the times have changed.
If you’re looking at the deepest position in fantasy, you’re going to have a hard time deciding between third base and shortstop, as both have more than enough options to have you covered in a standard 12- or 15-team league.
In many cases, your utility will come from one of these positions, too, not to mention your middle and corner infielder.
But with so much talent at the position, when’s the right time to take a shortstop and, more so, who should you take?
We’ll take a look at shortstop ADP based on FantasyPros composite ADP and break them down into tiers for you so you know when to grab the guy who you like.
We should note that these tiers are based on a 12-team standard roto league, so adjust accordingly for your league scoring.
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Tier 1: The locks
All of these guys should be in consideration with your first- or second-round picks in your drafts. What’s great is that all of these guys – to some extent – offer a power/speed combo, which you’ll find slowly dissipates as the draft goes forward.
If you’re looking strictly for a great floor with high upside, Lindor is the pick here. He still stole 22 bases after the calf injury last year, which is a good sign moving forward. Story backed up his stolen base gains from 2018 in 2019, showing that it wasn’t a fluke. Plus, you know, Coors Field.
Turner has an MVP season in him, and the speed he brings to the table – as well as the counting stats across the board – makes him a lock for a first- or second-round pick. There are few concerns with Bregman coming off of the sign-stealing scandal, but expecting 41 home runs again with his swing is setting yourself up for disappointment.
Tier 2: Glass half-full
Tatis could be a top five overall pick heading into 2021, and no one would be surprised. However, let’s not forget, his xBA was .259, his xwOBA was .345, and he stopped running after his injury. That’s not to mention his .410 BABIP. As for Torres, you should still question his success last year given the pitchers he had his success against and the fact that he was in the 33rd percentile in Hard Hit%, 49th percentile in Exit Velocity, and 82nd overall in Brls/PA%. At the end of the year, though, the numbers will be there.
Bogaerts has become the safe option at the position if you wait until the second tier of players. If you’re looking for .290-25-95-95 with a handful of steals, he’s your guy. It’s the second year in a row that Baez outperformed his peripherals, and if he isn’t stealing 20 bases anymore, should he really go here?
If the ball changes, Marte could be impacted, but there’s not much with his underlying numbers that doesn’t back up his production last year. If you’re drafting him, he’s going to play 2B or OF for you, though.
Tier 3: Manny, Bo, and their rabbits
There’s a long enough track record with Machado out of Baltimore now that it’s curious as to why we keep giving him a pass. At most, he’s going to offer the same power profile that’s so easy to find throughout the draft.
Mondesi and Villar are both guys who are the ultimate risk/reward players in the draft. They have league-winning steals potential, but the warts they have throughout the rest of their profile could cost you your league.
Bichette is the real deal, and he should be prioritized ahead of all of the guys in this tier, as well as Baez in the previous tier. Fantastic source of production in all five categories.
Tier 4: Veterans with upside
It kind of feels unfair for Semien, who was a legit MVP candidate, to fall this low, but before last year, he was always just a guy who was usable, but not counted on. When Correa plays, he’s a top 25 player. Staying on the field has been the only issue for him. He’s the perfect shortstop to pair with another in the later rounds hoping he hits.
Anderson will be useful, but more of the player he’s been throughout his career, and not his 2019 self. He’s only eclipsed 20 steals once in his career. Seager and Correa would be a fantastic pairing, as he’s entering his age-26 season and his first full season recovered from Tommy John surgery. The duo could win you your league.
Polanco was a popular sleeper heading into 2019, and he came through for managers. The fact that he’s the 17th shortstop off the board on average speaks volumes about the position. Andrus is a nice pick late if you missed out on steals early in the draft. Unlike the Mallex Smiths of the world, he won’t kill your average, either.
Tier 5: No thanks
Santana will be starting in centerfield for the Rangers, but nearly everything about his 2019 screams fluke. Regression is going to hit him hard. Edman could be a nice player, but do we know that he has an everyday role? What will he actually bring to the table for fantasy managers?
Tier 6: Youth in revolt
All of these guys have untapped ceilings, and all make for the perfect middle infielder. Lux has league-winning ability, especially if we find out he has an everyday role. He should be used as a second baseman, though.
Gurriel is another who should be used as a second baseman or an outfielder, and while he doesn’t have league-winning potential, he’s going to be a must-start option all year in Toronto.
Sure, Villar could double Rosario’s steals, but there’s risk in his profile as we’ve seen before. With Rosario, he’s a safe 15/25 option with a good batting average who can be had for basically nothing.
It’s Kingery’s last stand in Philly. He’ll be getting the starts at second base, and he has the makeup of a post-hype sleeper.
Tier 7: The others
Remember when DeJong changed his approach last year? Good times. He’s nothing but a middle infield power source. Segura will play third base for the Phillies, and while he didn’t hit the stolen base numbers you were hoping for last year, perhaps he runs more this year under new manager Joe Girardi.
Gregorius traded the short-porch in Yankees Stadium that made him a fantasy starter for a still-good offensive park in Philadelphia. He has sneaky potential this year as a middle infielder.
If you were in football mode in September, Hampson showed why he was a player everyone had pegged as a breakout during draft season in 2019. The question, as always, is how much he’ll play and where.
It’s only fitting that we end the tiers with a boring player such as Newman. Remember, boring isn’t always bad in fantasy. He’ll give you a good average and help you out in stolen bases with a handful of home runs.
Key takeaways
- If you pick toward the latter part of the first round, targeting one of the top shortstops and grabbing a top pitcher on the way back is a good strategy to plant a solid base for your team in steals, power, and starting pitching.
- With so many solid, startable options, don’t back yourself into a corner with risky options such as Mondesi, Villar, Edman, or Santana.
- If you take a risky guy, be sure to pair them with a player with a good floor later on in the draft. Someone like Newman, Andrus, or Polanco fit this bill.
- If you decide to wait on the position, grab both Correa and Seager. Their upside matches that of those players in the first two tiers. Bank on one or both to hit, and if they do, congrats on your league championship. If they don’t, there are ample options on the wire.
First Base Ranking Tiers
Third Base Ranking Tiers
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Michael Waterloo is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @MichaelWaterloo.
