Monday, May 20, 2024

Fantasy Baseball

Top 10 Rankings: Shortstop

Hi Everyone. With all sports being postponed due to COVID-19, you still have more time to draft your fantasy baseball team! Throughout this ranking series, I will give my top 10 C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, OF, SP, and RP. Today’s countdown is all about the shortstop. Shortstops have to be very athletic, which means this list will have a lot of electric superstars on it. The main statistics I will be using for a hitter are AVG, R, HR, RBI, and SB because these are the five categories for hitters in fantasy baseball. Without further ado, here are my top 10 rankings: shortstop.

10. Tim Anderson, Chicago White Sox

Starting off my top 10 fantasy baseball shortstop countdown is Tim Anderson. Chicago’s shortstop had a spectacular 2019 campaign. Anderson hit a league-leading .335, with 18 dingers, and 56 RBIs. Anderson’s RBI total was low last season because he was on a subpar team, but with Chicago’s revamped lineup, expect Anderson’s RBI total to rise. Tim Anderson had the highest average in the MLB last season but was never known for his average. Expect Anderson’s average to come back to reality, but expect the HRs and RBIs to be strong this season. After a career year, Anderson is a solid shortstop, who is on an offensive heavy White Sox team.

9. Marcus Semien, Oakland Athletics

Coming in at number nine on my top 10 fantasy baseball shortstop is Oakland’s, Marcus Semien. 2019 wasn’t a year to forget for Semien. Marcus batten for an average of .285 hit 33 bombs, drove in 92 runners, crossed the plate 123 times, and stole 10 bases. While having a career year, Marcus was able to play in all 162 games. Simply, Marcus Semien does everything well. Semien checks off all five hitting categories and brings versatility to your team. Along with SS, Semien also plays 2B and 3B. Marus Semien is the definition of a great all-around player, and fantasy owners should highly value Semien.

8. Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays

Ranking eight in my 10 fantasy baseball shortstop is Bo Bichette. Although only playing in 46 games, Bichette made his presence known. Bo hit for an average of .311, 11 HRs, 21 RBIs, and scored 32 runs. While 46 games is a small sample size, Bichette proved that he is capable of being very successful in the big leagues. The Blue Jays are a young team with loads of potential, so look for Bichette’s RBI count to rise this season and in the coming seasons. Bo Bichette is a young, talented shortstop, who can put up big numbers in a full season.

7. Adalberto Mondesi, Kansas City Royals

Coming in at number seven on my top 10 fantasy baseball shortstop countdown is Adalberto Mondesi. In today’s game, the running game is becoming less of a factor. Hit and runs, stolen bases, and double steals seem to be going extinct, giving players who have SB potential more value. Mondesi is one of the best base stealers, if not the best base stealer today. In only 102 games the last season, Adalberto stole 43 bags. If Mondesi played all 162 games, he would have been on pace to steal 68 bases. Guys like Billy Hamilton and Mallex Smith, who are great base stealers, don’t possess as much fantasy value as Mondesi because they have very little power, and their averages are low.

Along with being a base stealer, Mondesi is a hitter. In 2019, Mondesi hit for an average of .263, 9 homers, and 62 RBIs. Remember, this was only done in 102 games. If Adalberto can stay healthy, he gives fantasy owners a different dimension to their team.

6. Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox

Ranking six on my top 10 fantasy baseball shortstop countdown is Boston’s Xander Bogaerts. What a 2019 Xander Bogaerts had himself. In 155 games, Xander hit for an average of .309, 33 bombs, 117 RBIs, and 110 runs scored. Absolute monster numbers from the 26-year-old. Xander Bogaerts is an extremely talented hitter, who will produce on almost any team. The loss of Mookie Betts doesn’t help Xander’s fantasy value, but Boston still has enough hitters in Martinez, Devers, and Chavis to give Bogaerts a lot of opportunities. Xander Bogaerts is an excellent hitter, who is bound for another big year.

5. Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs

Making my top five fantasy baseball shortstop is Chicago’s, Javier Baez. Baez put on another show in 2019. In 138 games, Javier batted for an average of .281, hit 29 dingers, drove in 85 runners, and touched home plate 89 times. Baez’s 2019 wasn’t as outstanding as his 2018 numbers, but Baez continued his success. Baez was also held out of a chunk of games due to an injury, so look for Baez to have even better numbers in 2020 if he can stay healthy. Javier is also surrounded by great bats in Chicago, so he will get his chances with RISP. Baez can also bring flexibility to your roster, as he can play 2B and 3B along with SS. Javier Baez is a young stud, who is destined for another great season.

4. Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres

Bursting his way to the number four fantasy baseball shortstop is Fernando Tatis Jr. Fernando’s major league debut was much anticipated and for good reason. In 84 games played, Tatis Jr. hit .317 with 22 HRs, 53 RBIs, 51 Rs, and 16 SBs. Like many other SS on this list, Tatis Jr. is a well-rounded player who checks off all five hitting categories in fantasy baseball. Tatis was held out of almost half of the games in 2019 due to a back injury. The baseball world saw what Tatis Jr. could do in half of a season, so if Tatis Jr. can stay healthy, he will be a force in fantasy baseball. Fernando Tatis Jr. is one of the many young studs that we have in today’s game, and he is simply spectacular.

3. Trea Turner, Washington Nationals

Cracking the top three fantasy baseball shortstop is Washington’s, Trea Turner. Trea has blazing speed, decent power, and hits for a solid average, making him a very desirable fantasy baseball player. In 2019, Turner played in 122. During those 122 games, Turner hit for an average of .298 with 19 dingers, 57 RBIs, 96 Rs, and 35 SBs. All of Turner’s numbers are impressive expect for the 57 RBIs. The main reason why Turner only batted in 57 runners is that he usually leads off. Playing in the NL also doesn’t help Turner with getting opportunities with RISP due to the pitcher batting right before Turner. Don’t let the RBI number keep you away from Turner because he is truly an outstanding player.

2. Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies

Coming in at my number two fantasy baseball shortstop is Trevor Story. The young slugger has continued to show off his power and 2019 was no different. Trevor hit for an average of .294, hit 35 homers, 85 RBIs, 111 RBIs, and 23 SBs. Story has a tremendous amount of speed and power, which is something you don’t see everyday. Playing in Colorado only helps Story because the balls fly in the thin air. Hitting in the same lineup as Nolan Arenado also doesn’t hurt. Story has been able to stay heathy the last three seasons, which was a huge question mark after Story’s rookie season. Trevor Story is a great athlete, who will go in the first round in fantasy drafts. If you have a late first round pick, look to pick up Trevor Story.

1. Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians

The number one fantasy baseball shortstop is… Francisco Lindor! For the last three seasons, Lindor has been a problem for opposing pitchers. In 2019, Lindor played in 143 games in which he hit .284 with 32 bombs, 74 RBIs, 101 Rs, and 22 SBs. Francisco has had a healthy and productive career, which gives him an edge over a lot of the other SS on this list. Lindor has hit 30+ HRs in the last three seasons, hit .270+, and stole 15+ bases. Lindor is a reliable SS, who does his job extraordinarily well year in and year out. Francisco Lindor is the top fantasy SS of 2020.

Be sure to check out my Top 10 Rankings: Second Basemen article!

Stay on the lookout for my top 10 fantasy baseball third basemen!

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