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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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Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell (27) completes a double play against Cleveland Indians counterpart shortstop Francisco Lindor (right) during the third inning in game four of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell (27) completes a double play against Cleveland Indians counterpart shortstop Francisco Lindor (right) during the third inning in game four of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

How are the rankings determined?

The rankings are based on which shortstop is the best to build a lineup and infield around:

  • Overall play matters – That means batting and fielding. Just because Derek Carr has thrown more touchdowns than Andrew Luck this season, doesn’t mean as a talent evaluator I would say Carr is a more talented quarterback. Likewise, the rankings are based on complete ability and what a MLB team would want, not who produces more points for a fantasy team.
  • Age + Potential matter – This is an exercise projecting value over a career, not who is the best in baseball right now. Getting the most years of a shortstop’s prime is considered.
  • Contracts matter – If this is their last year before free agency versus three more seasons of club control, that is a factor.
  • Majority of Games at SS – Even though a player can play SS (and there is one in particular I would trade almost anything to have playing SS on my team), for the purposes of this exercise, we are only counting players that play the majority of games at shortstop or project to in 2017.
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