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MLB: A Look at the Youth at Shortstop to Build a Team Around

By s.a. rose

Sep 26, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 24, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees former player Derek Jeter waves to the crowd during the ceremony retiring Bernie Williams number 51 prior to the game against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees former player Derek Jeter waves to the crowd during the ceremony retiring Bernie Williams number 51 prior to the game against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Once upon a time, shortstops in MLB hit at the bottom of the lineup and were great with the glove. That changed in the 90s with impact bats playing the position and has evolved in a big way in the current state of baseball as shortstop is a position held by the best batter on a number of teams.

If the team you support does not have a talented young shortstop, wouldn’t you like one for Christmas? Here is a ranking of shortstops I would choose to be under my team’s tree this year.

For the sake of blogger integrity (if such a thing exists), I will not let you know which team or teams in MLB are my favorite/s. I will however narrow it down for you and say none of the teams I support have an elite shortstop at the Major League level. In this era, it seems that elite play from your shortstop may not be a necessity to win in October but it sure is fashionable to build a great team around one.  Like the kid who only wanted two front teeth for Christmas, all I want for Christmas is a shortstop who can hit for power and effortlessly turn two.

In the late 1990s, shortstop enthusiasts had their trinity of young superstars that would revolutionize how shortstop was played.  Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Nomar Garciaparra were all I would argue franchise players in their prime.  Prior to the best years of those three, great shortstop play was most famously defined by the defensive wizardry of Ozzie Smith in St Louis, who typically hit in the 8-spot during the Cardinals’ best seasons. Can you imagine Jeter, A-Rod or Nomah hitting 8th in the lineup? Actually, never mind.  Let’s just say that shortstops in the current era are either lead-off stand-outs or middle-of-the-order threats that affect the box score in the batter’s box and on the diamond.

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