MLB Rankings: Top Shortstops of 2019
By Jake Hasan
Our 2019 MLB rankings continue as we look at the top ten shortstops in the game today.
Welcome back to the 2019 MLB rankings. This week we’re tackling shortstops. Much like second base, the shortstop position is one that has changed rapidly over the last five years or so. A handful of years ago there were guys like Alexei Ramirez, Pete Kozma and Erick Aybar that were holding starting jobs and in some cases would have cracked this list.
These were light-hitting guys who had some pop but not a ton and were relied on more for their defense. The position has changed dramatically since then. We have guys that not only are good (if not great) hitters but they are also solid defenders and many have true All-Star potential, with the guys at the top having even MVP potential.
As always these rankings are not just evaluations of a players 2018 season, but also take into account their previous success as well.
Also credit as usual to Baseball Reference, Fangraphs and Baseball Savant for all stats.
*Note: This writer is considering Manny Machado a third baseman in 2019
Honorable Mention: Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
In his two full seasons in the majors, Seager has been an All-Star and earned MVP votes in both, finishing third in MVP voting in 2016. Seager looked like he was becoming a star right before our eyes, but 2018 that track was derailed. An elbow injury and subsequent Tommy John surgery limited Seager to just 26 games last season. Now fully healthy again, Seager should be back to his All-Star ways, something the Dodgers are surely craving after losing the World Series for the second year in a row.