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MLB: Top 5 Shortstops in Baseball

By Benno Martens

May 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) forces out Chicago White Sox right fielder Adam Eaton (1) during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) forces out Chicago White Sox right fielder Adam Eaton (1) during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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4. Brandon Crawford – San Francisco Giants

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Brandon Crawford had a breakout year in 2015, making his first All-Star game, winning the Silver Slugger award and taking home a Gold Glove. His 84 RBIs were tops among shortstops and his 21 home runs were second, as he posted a league-leading 4.7 fWAR for the position. That output earned him a six-year, $75 million extension in the offseason.

Thus far in 2016, Crawford is putting up numbers in line with last season and ahead of his career averages, which suggests that 2015 wasn’t a fluke and the Giants’ investment wasn’t misplaced. The 29-year-old has a .255/.348/.408 slash line with three home runs and 11 RBIs, though it helps that Buster Posey, Hunter Pence and Brandon Belt are all off to hot starts hitting in front of him.

According to Fangraphs, Crawford is third among shortstops in WAR this season and first in defensive runs above average and defensive runs saved, so his glove is possibly even more valuable than his bat. As the gulf between offensive-minded and defensive-minded shortstops grows, Crawford is one of the few that can boast both.

$15 million per year may seem like a reach for Crawford, but given his late-blooming, two-way capabilities and the trend in big league salaries, that number may end up looking like a real bargain in the Bay Area.

Next: Ready for the top 3?

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