Spring training games are underway! What a time to be a fantasy baseball manager! We can see actual players playing actual games and make some judgments. This past Sunday on the Sports Stove Baseball Show, we ranked our top players at second base and shortstop. That episode is available here. Continuing what we started on the show, I will now rank the top fantasy baseball shortstop values.

Frankly, the position is deep in quality and there are several players that can be waited on in fantasy drafts and the manager will come away happy. The rankings are intended most of all for head-to-head points leagues, but can apply to many other formats. Having said all of that, let’s get down to business!

Willy Adames, Milwaukee Brewers

It may be difficult to believe that a shortstop who hit 31 home runs in 2022 would find himself on a list like this. Yet, that is exactly where Willy Adames sits. Those 31 homers just happen to rank second among all shortstops last season (Seager, 33). While Seager finds himself ranked sixth on FantasyPros, Adames isn’t even listed in the top ten at shortstop, with a ranking of 14. In my honest opinion, that is impossible to understand. That is especially true considering that Tim Anderson of the White Sox is ranked 12th. I see Anderson as a clear bust candidate, which would be a discussion for another day.

Admittingly, Adames would rank much higher on everyone’s list if he hit better than .238, as he did a year ago. His strikeouts are also too high (166). Everything else, however, is exactly what a manager could possibly want from a shortstop. In addition to the home runs, Adames drove in 98 while also scoring 83. His BAbip was .278, which is much lower than his .325 career. If that normalizes, the rest of his stats will naturally follow upward.

Lastly, his home park is one of the better hitting stadiums in baseball and the Brewers’ lineup will produce plenty of scoring opportunities. Add it all together and Adames is clearly the shortstop value heading into 2023. Allow the other managers in your league to draft a shortstop early. Stock your other positions and go and get Adames later. Your fantasy roster will be the better for it.

Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs

After getting a few tastes in the majors, Nico Hoerner was up for good in 2022. Hoerner’s speed is off the charts, as he stole 20 bases and was only caught twice last year. With the new rules on the number of pickoff attempts allowed, and the larger bases, expect Hoerner to rack up the steals in 2023. His other batting stats weren’t too shabby, either, as he hit .281-10-55, with a .327/.410/.737 slash line.

The best news, however, is for managers in points leagues. Unlike so many players in today’s game, Hoerner doesn’t have a strikeout problem, whiffing only 57 times in 487 at-bats. He could use a little patience at the plate, as he only walked 28 times. If he can master that skill, his value in points leagues will surge. Of course, hitting in Wrigley Field never hurts and the Cubs should have a good hitting lineup around Hoerner, giving him plenty of run producing opportunities in 2023.

Clearly, FantasyPros doesn’t think much of Hoerner’s prospects this season, as he is ranked 19th at SS and 144th overall. If he is picked in that range, or even lower, in fantasy drafts, there is all kinds of upside here, especially in points leagues. His speed and lack of strikeouts are a huge boost, and managers in points leagues should take the plunge.

Bryson Stott, Philadelphia Phillies

Another youngster of just 25, Bryson Stott looks to make a significant step forward in this, his second full major league season. Stott is barely seen on the shortstop horizon on either FantasyPros or ESPN. He is ranked 26th on FantasyPros and 28th by ESPN. Be that as it may, keep on eye on him during spring training and if he looks good, taking a chance on him makes a lot of sense. He is slotted in one of the best hitting lineups to be found on planet earth. Additionally, his home park ranks in the top ten of hitter’s paradises.

Even after spending some time in the minors in 2022, Stott played in 127 games for the Phillies. His stats won’t awe anyone, as he hit .234-10-49. As the second half progressed, though, Stott looked much more comfortable at the plate and in the field. He began September with hits in five straight and also had a five-game hit streak toward the end of the month. I expect that he will have that kind of impact this season, and if so, he will leave his .295/.358/.653 stat line in the dust.

Stott has excellent sprint speed, and he should blow well past his 12 steals from a year ago. As a left-handed hitter, he should greatly benefit from the shift ban rule coming into effect this season. Most likely, Stott will play second base for Philadelphia this year, and that only adds to his value.

As stated above, keep an eye on him in the spring. Managers can be confident in that except for those reading this article, none will have him on their radars entering the draft. That being the case, adding Stott in the last round is a highly recommended action on this fantasy baseball shortstop values edition.

Tommy Edman, St. Louis Cardinals

Obviously, Tommy Edman is most thought of as a second baseman, but in just about every fantasy league imaginable, including ESPN, he is also listed as a shortstop. Without question, there is a lot to like about Edman. He has the versatility that many managers, including myself, look for. He will be playing in an excellent lineup in St. Louis. Best of all, however, is that everyone seems to be dismissing him as a quality player.

FantasyPros has Edman ranked as the 13th best shortstop and 86th overall player. ESPN has him ranked 11th at short and 99th overall. In either case, a fantasy manager can wait some in the draft and still come away with a significant player at the position. Last season, Edman played in 153 games, hitting .265-13-57 with a .324/.400/.724 slash line. The stat that stands out most of all, though, is that he stole 32 bases and was caught only three times. With the new rules in place, expect Edman to increase that SB total to 40 and beyond.

For a player that seems like he has been around for a while now, it is surprising to learn that Edman is only 27. He is just entering his prime. The word around the Cardinals is that they intend to bat him lead off in 2023. If true, that shoots his value through the roof, batting in front of Goldschmidt, Arenado and many others.

When he hits the ball, good things happen, as he has a .308 career BAbip. Without any doubt, Edman is surely one of the top fantasy baseball shortstop values managers need to pay attention to this year.

Additional Shortstop Values:

Carlos Correa (15 SS/98 overall) traveled from coast to coast in the offseason, but eventually returned to Minnesota. The injury concerns expressed by both the Giants and Mets were of the long-term variety. They are not a factor this season. If other managers are scared off from him and he starts to slide in drafts, those that select Correa could wind up with an excellent veteran shortstop at a bargain basement price.

Andrés Giménez (17 SS/84 overall) has the speed that should interest any fantasy manager. He stole 20 bases and was caught only three times in 2022. Expect the steals to rise with the new rules and he will also benefit from the shift ban as a left-handed hitter. With this type of player looming in the later stages of a draft, waiting on a shortstop is definitely the recommended play in 2023.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball shortstop values edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news! The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball is a show that we do every Sunday night at 8 eastern. Make sure to tune in!