MLB Best: Top three shortstops in majors right now
By Ben Fadden
I will be compiling a list of the top three players at each position including designated hitter leading into Spring Training. My lists are based on career stats/accomplishments, 2018 statistics, and their projections going into 2019. Today we continue with the best shortstops in MLB.
There are about ten MLB shortstops that could have made my top three, either because they had a breakout year, or a tremendous fielding season, but there only three spots, so there are many shortstops who unfortunately could not make it in. Here are some of the notable shortstops that missed the cut:
Just Missed
Javier Baez (Chicago Cubs)
Javier Baez arguably was the best player in the National League last season, so you may be asking why he is not on the list?
Well, even though he had career highs in home runs, RBI’s, stolen bases, and batting average, he also had a career high in strikeouts which concerns me.
He led was fifth in the National League in strikeouts, and first among shortstops, so even though he is a great player, until his strikeout rate decreases, then he won’t be on my list.
Didi Gregorius (New York Yankees)
Didi Gregorius had a huge first half of 2018, but then slowed down dramatically in the second half because of an injury. He is going to be sidelined with Tommy John after suffering the injury during the American League Division Series against the Red Sox.
I could not find room for him on the list because he is not even going to be on the field the first half of this season.
Trevor Story (Colorado Rockies)
Although Trevor Story gets to play 81 games a year in Colorado, he still had a breakout year hitting 37 home runs with 108 runs batted in.
The main concern with Story was his strikeouts, but he seems to have fixed the problem, as he had 23 fewer strikeouts in 13 more games.
Now on to the list. My #3 shortstop is a former #1 overall pick…