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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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Good but not great (and definitely not elite)

Oct 1, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (12) attempts to throw out Minnesota Twins first baseman James Beresford (not pictured) during the seventh at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (12) attempts to throw out Minnesota Twins first baseman James Beresford (not pictured) during the seventh at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

Aledmys Diaz, St. Luis Cardinals – Not often mentioned with the elite shortstops, Diaz is a hard-hitting shortstop that hit .300 and 17 home runs in just over 400 at-bats this season. His defense (16 errors in 104 games) and 4-for-8 on steals are the two biggest reasons he’s not on everyone’s radar as far as best shortstops.

Tim Anderson, Chicago White Sox – He needs some coaching to refine his contact and defense (strikes out  and had 14 errors) but there are plenty of tools as far as speed and power to suggest that he can be a contributor on a good team. It looks like he will have a chance to grow alongside some similar mid-20s aged talent imported by his general manager at the recent Winter Meetings.

Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies – A thumb injury cut his season short but Story hit 27 home runs in 97 games. You can give credit to the thin air in Denver but not a lot of people have hit 1 HR every 3.59 games, even in Colorado. The power comes with a price however as he strikes out more than 1 in 3 at-bats and his defense is middle of the pack.

Marcus Semien, Oakland A’s – Moneyball made Oakland famous for taking value anywhere they could find it. Semien can mash (hit 27 home runs – tied for most among SS this season although with almost 200 more at-bats than Trevor Story) but his play in the field is always an adventure.  He cut his errors down 40% from last year, but only because he made 35 in 2015.

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