2013 MLB Preview: Top 5 Shortstops
2013 MLB Preview: Top 5 Shortstops
In the past, the shortstop position used to be the most coveted by baseball players at every level. However, shortstops are now slower, worse hitters with some of the lowest value on the diamond. In this list are five shortstops that are actually contributing to their teams.
What happened to the shortstop position? The days of Cal Ripken Jr. and Barry Larkin are gone, and middle infielders have been categorized as some of the worst athletes on the baseball field. But why is that? Not only does the shortstop have one of the most active positions on the field, but it has the one with the most pressure as well. Shortstops are fielding grounders, throwing runners out from the farthest positions on the field and turning double plays in a matter of seconds. Where is the lack of athleticism there?
With these five players, the future of the shortstop position looks incredibly bright. Recently, it's difficult to find a middle infielder that can hit for average and power as well as field his position. Each of these five players can do those things.
In this ranking list, I will present the five best position players in one of the weakest positions in baseball. As this is only an opinion, feel free to comment with your own list and tell me where I went wrong. Keep in mind, baseball season is back, so we should all be in a good mood by now.
John Engel is a college basketball writer for Rant Sports, and works for ESPNLA 710 AM Radio as well. Follow John on Twitter: @engelsportsguy.
5. J.J. Hardy
2012 Statistics: 663 AB/158 H/22 HR/68 RBI/.238 AVG/.282 OBP/.389 SLG/.671 OPS
Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy didn't have a very impressive 2012 campaign, but with the shortstop position as thin as it is, he ranks fifth among active major league shortstops. Hardy had a career year offensively in 2011, and his power was expected to regress in 2012. Despite his unpredictable offensive performances, Hardy has always been a stable position player in the field. He earned a Gold Glove award in 2012 and should once again be in the conversation for a Gold Glove in 2013. It's absolutely outstanding that Hard has returned to being a 20 home run plus hitter and his 85 runs scored in 2012 were four runs off of his career high (89).
4. Derek Jeter
2012 Statistics: 683 AB/216 H/15 HR/58 RBI/.316 AVG/.362 OBP/.429 SLG/.791 OPS
Despite being sidelined during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series with a fractured ankle, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter will be ready for Opening Day and should once again be one of professional baseball's best middle infielders. Jeter has been criticized for losing range in the field and rightfully so, but he still plays the shortstop position better than all but three others. His 2012 injury shouldn't hinder his offensive numbers too much, as he has long since been a stolen base threat for the Yankees. Jeter will always be the opposite-field slap hitter that every pitcher hates to face. Regardless of his age, Jeter, 39 in June, is still one of the best shortstops in baseball.
3. Starlin Castro
2012 Statistics: 646 AB/183 H/78 RBI/.283 RBI/.323 OBP/.430 SLG/.753 OPS
After three short seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Starlin Castro is beginning to emerge as the future of the shortstop position in the National League. Though his defensive integrity has always been in question, Castro's abilities and confidence as a hitter are unparalleled by any other shortstop in baseball. Castro, 23, has been criticized for not giving the Cubs all of his attention, though his statistics seem to disagree. His 520 career hits rank fourth highest among any shortstop through the age of 22. Castro is durable, and disciplined, proving that the defensive competence will follow soon.
2. Jose Reyes
2012 Statistics: 642 AB/184 H/37 2B/40 SB/.287 AVG/.347 OBP/.433 SLG
After the spending spree by the Miami Marlins crashed and burned, shortstop Jose Reyes, as well as many of his teammates, made way for Canada to play with the Toronto Blue Jays. Reyes will see spikes in both total bases and runs scored while playing for the Blue Jays, as he will be on the most potent lineup of his 10 year career. He may have some trouble staying in shape while enduring the grind of Rogers Centre's turf at the age of 30 years old. It's hard to criticize Reyes too much though, as he could arguably be the best shortstop in Major League Baseball.
1. Troy Tulowitzki
2012 Statistics: 181 AB/27 RBI/.287 AVG/.360 OBP/.486 SLG/.846 OPS
Even though Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has faced major injuries and five trips to the DL during his short career, he still ranks as the league's best shortstop. Tulowitzki is expected to be completely healthy for opening day and has the potential to revitalize the shortstop position as he was once expected to do. Tulowitzki has averaged only 120 games played in his six full seasons, but his natural talent alone is impossible to dismiss. Baseball fans haven't seen a shortstop with power at the plate, arm strength and accuracy in the field and speed on the base paths like Tulowitzki since Alex Rodriguez entered the league.
