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MLB: The Five Best Shortstops Heading into 2017

By Jackson Bruce

Oct 14, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 6th inning in game one of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 6th inning in game one of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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5. Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies

Trevor Story showed a lot of promise last season before a thumb injury cut it short in August. Although he didn’t play a full season, his numbers were quite impressive offensively.

His power numbers (27 home runs, 72 runs batted in) were similar to National League Rookie of the Year Corey Seager‘s, and Story played almost 60 fewer games. While he was second among shortstops in home runs, his batting average was a modest .272. Story’s numbers on the field weren’t anything special, making it hard to put him higher on the list with just power numbers alone.

He is young, heading into the 2017 season at age 24, and is playing in a hitter-friendly ballpark. With those two factors, his production should keep increasing at the plate. If his defense improves, his ranking among the best shortstops is sure to be on its way up.

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