Every year the MLB Network has a Top Ten Right Now series at every Position and here I will breakdown my top 10 at every position. Some you may agree with and some you might not, everyone’s list would probably be different in some way shape or form and that’s the beauty of baseball always something to debate. So let’s jump in….Starting first with Shortstops.
COMING IN AT #10…PAUL DEJONG
DeJong broke out in a big way and came in as the number 2 in the Rookie of the Year voting. A 25 homerun campaign in your rookie season leads to a lot of optimism and expectations. And as a cog in the Cardinals lineup he can help in a big way.
THE 9TH SPOT BELONGS TO…XANDER BOGAERTS
Xander Bogaerts of the Boston Red Sox comes in on my list at number 9. Bogaerts had a down year and struggled somewhat in the 2017 season to the tune of 95 OPS+ only 10 homeruns and 62 rbi’s. This down year isn’t likely to continue look for Bogaerts to have a better 2018.
NUMBER 8 IS….JEAN SEGURA
Jean Segura followed up his breakout 2016 campaign with a solid yet injury shorten 2017 but look for Segura to be a staple of solid production for the Mariners in 2018.
AND NUMBER 7 IS….ELVIS ANDRUS
Elvis Andrus broke out in a powerful way in 2017 hitting 20 homeruns and will look to build on that success in 2018. Andrus will be a main cog in the Texas Rangers lineup and will look to have a big year in the cusp of his potential opt out year.
NUMBER 6 IS…TREA TURNER
Now Trea Turner has played across 3 seasons in the MLB but isn’t been able to stay healthy and play even a 100 games in a single season, I think that changes this year and he puts it all together and has an extremely productive year atop the Washington Nationals’ batting order.
NUMBER 5 ON MY LIST OF TOP 10 RIGHT NOW IS…ANDRELTON SIMMONS
Simmons has been known for having a magician like ability to make hits disappear. However, last season Simmons was able to make some significant contributions to the Angels lineup with his bat producing a career high in Hits, Doubles, RBI’s, Runs Scored, Walks and Stolen Bases. Which lead Andrelton to new career highs in On Base Percentage, Slugging Percentage and OPS+. So in 2018 Andrelton will look to continue his offensive improvement on a LA Angels of Anaheim team with some new found lineup depth. Andrelton is always a great pick in fantasy because of his defense and now adding a real offensive component to his game look out.
NUMBER 4 ON THE BOARD IS….SIR DIDI GREGORIUS
Sir Didi Gregorius has continued to develop into an incredible talent and is now a huge fan favorite in the Bronx. Didi had a career year in the Bronx in 2017 setting the all time single season homerun record by a shortstop with 25 (Derek Jeter previous record 24). Didi set new career highs across the board in 2017 and will look to build on that success. And with the added thump in the lineup around him, Didi might have an even better year in 2018.
GETTING TO THE NITTY GRITTY AND THE BRONZE GOES TO….COREY SEAGER
Corey Seager had another solid season to follow up his break out Rookie of the Year in 2016. Seager will be a force in the Dodgers lineup in 2018 and moving forward. And while not quite a Gold Glover yet Seagers defense has improved and look for him to get better in 2018
THE SILVER MEDAL GOES TO…FRANCISCO LINDOR
MR. SMILE as he’s known around the game is a dynamic young superstar in the MLB today. A switch hitter who is capable of changing the game on either side of the ball and from either side of the plate is rare in today’s day and age. But Lindor as with many guys on this list had a career year in 2017 and will obviously look to capitalize and continue to grow on that success in the new campaign in 2018. Lindor is always fun to watch so keep a close eye on him and the Cleveland Indians in 2018.
AND OF COURSE THE NUMBER 1 GUY ON THIS LIST IS….CARLOS CORREA
Correa is no stranger to being the number 1 pick and looks to be a top pick on many list and fantasy drafts because this young superstar has the type of talent that team yearn for. Coming off of a strong season and a World Series crown Correa will be one of the top players in all of the MLB in 2018. Correa was having a MVP caliber season prior to getting hurt this past season but even with missing time to injury Correa had a 6.3 War season in 2017. Correa will win an MVP or two in his career and I have a sneaky suspicion that 2018 might be one of those seasons.
This has been my list of Top Ten Shortstop’s Right Now. Stay Tuned I’ll be posting my Top Ten on each position as MLB Network airs each position. Up next Top Ten Third Basemen.
2 Replies to “Top 10 Shortstops Right Now”