MLB Projections: Top 10 Shortstops for the 2020 Season

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Today, ‘Call to the Pen’ is going to examine the top 10 shortstops in baseball using the “Steamer” MLB projections system.

Shortstop is arguably the most stacked position in the game. So much so, that according to the “Steamer” MLB projections system ranked this player at the bottom of the top 10 shortstops list.

We’re talking about none other than the 22-year-old, two-time All-Star…

#10 – Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees

When the Yankees pulled off the heist of the decade in trading Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs for Gleyber Torres only to re-sign Chappy in the offseason, they got themselves someone some of you may argue should be the best shortstop in the game.

Offensively, an argument can be made for Torres. In fact, during the 2019 MLB season, Torres slashed .278 / .337 / .535 all the while smacking 38 home runs and driving in 90 runs.

Defensively, however, at shortstop last season, Gleyber ranked in the bottom tier — 23rd of 30 among SS with a minimum 650 innings at the position. What’s more, throughout the season, he received a lot of criticism for appearing to play the position lackadaisically.

However, Torres is a natural shortstop and given that Didi Gregorius has moved to the National League with the Philadelphia Phillies, he will get to man the position full-time in 2020. Hopefully, he can settle in defensively and continue to produce with his bat.

(Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

MLB Projections: Top 10 Shortstops for the 2020 Season

#9 – Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays

Bo Bichette is one of three sons of ex-major leaguers on the Toronto Blue Jays, and he might be the best of the bunch. In just 46 games last season, Bichette impressed with a slash line of .311 / .358 / .571. He smacked 11 HR in that time span.

Defensively, among shortstops with a minimum 350 innings at the position, Bichette ranks 26th in FanGraphs’ defensive rating. He did post a 3 DRS which ranks him 14 out 30 shortstops.

It’s clear that Bichette still has some room to grow, especially defensively. What’s clear, however, is that the Blue Jays’ future is in good hands with the son of Dante.

#8 – Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres

#7 – Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies

Trevor Story burst through the seems in 2016, when in 97 games he hit 27 HR and 72 RBI. After a sophomore slump in 2017, Story has only gotten better.

Last season, Story had his best offensive season yet, slashing .294 / .363 / .554. He posted a career-high .917 OPS after showing great patience at the plate.

Defensively, Story is one of the elite shortstops in the game. In fact, in 2019 Story led all shortstops with a minimum 1000 innings at the position with a 17 DRS. His defensive rating on FanGraphs places him 3rd in the position behind Paul DeJong and Javier Baez.

MLB Projections: Top 10 Shortstops for the 2020 Season

#6 – Trea Turner, Washington Nationals

For years, we’ve been waiting for Trea Turner to live up to his potential. Unfortunately, for the most part, injuries have prevented that from happening… until 2019.

Sure, he played a full season in 2018, and he played it well, but in 2019, Trea officially arrived. As such, Turner proved to be a doubles hitter, who can carry a nice share over the wall. He’s also a triples threat, who doesn’t strike out like the modern player does.

What’s more, he’s not afraid to take his walks, which could very well turn into two bags, given his speed. In each of the last four straight seasons, Turner has knabbed 30 or more bags. All of this amounts to a player that will score around 100 runs per season, making him extremely valuable to any team.

What’s more, he’s only 26-years-old, so the best is yet to come.

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#5 – Marcus Semien, Oakland Athletics

It took 7 seasons to get there, but in 2019 Marcus Semien officially arrived. He placed 3rd in the AL MVP voting after slashing .285 / .369 / .522 and posting career highs in 2B (43), 3B (7), HR (33), RBI (92), and OPS (.892).

What’s more, Semien ranks 4th in FanGraphs’ defensive rating. He saved 5 runs during the 2019 MLB season.

#4 – Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers

Corey Seager is one of those underappreciated talents the game has to offer. After missing almost all of 2018 to injury, Manny Machado filled in at the position. Then, a hamstring injury limited his 2019 season. Finally, this offseason, rumors swirled about the Dodgers possibly trading for another shortstop in Francisco Lindor.

All of this has left me wondering, why? Seager is a capable shortstop who has a realistic potential to be elite. What’s more, he’s costs a fraction of what Lindor got in arbitration this season.

Now, there’s a reason why Seager is ranked fourth on this list. His career slash line is .272 / .335 / .483. He set a career-high in doubles with 44 in 2019.

What’s more, defensively, Seager ranks 7th, tied with none other than Lindor, in DRS with 9. In 2020, Seager could establish himself as the best shortstop in the game, so look out and don’t sleep on him.

MLB Projections: Top 10 Shortstops for the 2020 Season

#3 – Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox

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Xander Bogaerts is not the best defensive shortstop in this MLB Projections list, he is, however, arguably the best hitter of the bunch. At least he was in 2019.

Last season, X inserted himself in the conversation of the best offensive shortstop in the game after slashing .309 / .384 / .555. What’s more, he set career highs in the following categories…

2B – 52
HR – 33
RBI – 117
OPS – .939
TB – .341

He’s a 2x All-Star, 3x Silver Slugger, and finished 5th in the AL MVP voting last season.

Defensively, however, Bogaerts was pretty atrocious last season. He placed last among all shortstops with a minimum of 1000 innings at the position in DRS with -21. He’s only featured a positive DRS once in his career, in 2013 when he played shortstop for just 52.2 innings.

Thankfully, X’s bat will make up for a lot of his defensive mistakes. Defensively, it can’t get worse than 2019 and the only way to go now is up.

#2 – Carlos Correa, Houston Astros

Carlos Correa’s injury history is troubling, especially considering that much of his time was spent on the IL last season because of back issues. That typically doesn’t bode well for a young player.

He is, however, so good when he’s on the field, that he lands in the 2-spot in this ranking. He’s a threat for somewhere between 25-30 HR when healthy and 75-100 RBI. What’s more, he’s an on-base machine, reaching in close to 36% of at-bats.

Using these numbers, it’s hard not to imagine that Correa won’t continue to get better. He’ll have to stay healthy, however, which has not been the case for him yet.

#1 – Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians

There is no better shortstop in the game than “Mr. Smile,” Francisco Lindor. The 4x All-Star, 2x Gold Glove, 2x Silver Slugger award winner has also received MVP votes in each of the last 4 seasons. What’s more, he’s done it all with a nice smile.

Lindor is a career .288 / .347 / .493 hitter who also happens to be a top-10 defensive shortstop. In fact, he’s the 6th best defensive shortstop in baseball, according to FanGraphs’ defensive rating. And what’s more, he’s tied for 7th with 9 DRS.

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Lindor has been the subject of trade rumors for quite some time now, which is quite baffling. Why any team would want to part ways with Lindor is baffling. That said, whoever gets him will be lucky to have him.

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