Leandre: Top 30 shortstops entering 2024, 20-11
Half of the shortstops listed in this group of 10 have a true case to rank in the top 10-12.
These 10 shortstops are littered with potential and superhuman ability.
While not everyone in this middle third of the top 30 is an established star, or a current one, they all have All-Star capability in the coming seasons.
Among these 10 are three with All-Star experience and four have won Gold Gloves. Not only that, but several have true five-tool potential.
Before getting into the names, here are the 10 from Nos. 30-21.
With that, let’s get into the top 20.
20. Tommy Edman – St. Louis Cardinals
If this was a ranking of utilitymen, Edman likely ranks in the top five. He’s one of my favorite players despite not hitting for power at all because he’s super versatile defensively and an elite baserunner to pair with decent offense.
Last year, he wasn’t spectacular yet still posted 2.3 fWAR in 137 games. If he can remain healthy, while hovering around the league average offensively, he will return to topflight value for the Cardinals.
19. Anthony Volpe – New York Yankees
Volpe gets a bad rap on X because people are hesitant to give the Yankees any added props beyond their star players.
However, he’s truly a solid ballplayer with a high ceiling so long as his bat comes around.
His floor is exceptionally high thanks to his elite glove and comfortably above-average baserunning, but what held him back from Rookie of the Year status in 2023 was his 84 wRC+.
His Spring Training should excite Yankees fans, as he has a 147 wRC+ and four extra-base hits in 41 plate appearances. If that translates to the regular season, with obvious upticks in power production, he’s going to be a perennial five-win player.
18. Junior Caminero – Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays seem keen on starting Caminero in Triple-A this year, but I don’t think he’ll be long for that level because he’s an MLB-caliber bat.
Defensively, I’m unsure where he fits positionally now that the Rays held onto Isaac Paredes and added Amed Rosario in free agency, but I think this kid has what it takes to be a star shortstop in this game.
I think he ends up moving to third base if/when the Rays move off Paredes but, for now, I think he’s a real player – and the Rays’ third shortstop in my top 30.
17. Trevor Story – Boston Red Sox
I initially had Story ranked as high as No. 13, but I don’t think that’s fair to the rest of the group until he shows he can hit again in the regular season.
Perhaps that’s too harsh, considering he was league-average in 2022 despite playing only 94 games. However, injuries and a rushed recovery proved costly to the 31-year-old’s timing last season. As a result, he posted a 48 wRC+ and struck out 32.7% of the time along with a career-worst 5.4% walk rate.
Spring Training 2024 should excite Red Sox fans, as Story has a 171 wRC+ in 39 plate appearances. The strikeouts remain a problem for the shortstop, but he’s got a .294 ISO and six extra-base hits.
We all know he can field with the best of them. It’s his bat that’ll make or break his 2024 campaign.
16. Oneil Cruz – Pittsburgh Pirates
The tools are all there for Cruz, but we don’t know how they translate to a full MLB season.
The man hits the daylights out of the ball but missed all but nine games last season because of an injury that shelved him for the final 150-plus.
I’m not so sure he’s sticking at shortstop long-term, but he’s one of the game’s most exciting players presently.
15. Elly De La Cruz – Cincinnati Reds
Speaking of one of the game’s most exciting players … enter Elly De La Cruz.
It was a tale of two rookie seasons for the Reds shortstop last year. He came up and set the world on fire with majestic home runs and historic feats such as hitting for the cycle or stealing three bases in two pitches.
This kid can be a machine if he either lowers his ground ball rate or strikeout rate. He’s a game-changer when he’s on and the Reds should not be afraid of letting him work through the growing pains.
14. Geraldo Perdomo – Arizona Diamondbacks
It’s crazy to think about Perdomo being one of the worst regulars in the sport in 2022 and becoming an All-Star in 2023, as well as the starting shortstop for a team that was three wins away from a World Series title.
I don’t know how long Perdomo has left in the desert, thanks to top prospect Jordan Lawlar knocking on the door, but he’s still a solid ballplayer and will likely make for an enticing trade chip come summertime.
13. CJ Abrams – Washington Nationals
I’m banking on the two months of greatness we saw from Abrams during July and August is more than a flash of “what could be.”
Overall, he improved upon his rookie season, posting a 90 wRC+ with 18 homers, 47 stolen bases and 2.1 fWAR.
But to my point before about those two months, he posted a 118 wRC+ with five homers and 24 stolen bases from June 15 to Aug. 15. He also posted four defensive runs saved, which was a dramatic improvement from his -5 showing in 2022.
I think he has the tools to be a perennial four-to-five-win player, he needs to continue getting consistent burn. Being on a team like the Nationals is great for his development because they can offer the opportunity to fail and learn from his mistakes.
12. Jeremy Peña – Houston Astros
Peña already has a resume that many would be lucky to have, given that he’s a perennial Platinum Glove-level defender with an ALCS MVP and World Series MVP under his belt.
Like Story and Volpe behind him, what’ll hold Peña back is his offense moving forward.
However, the Astros’ shortstop altered his stance to become a bit quicker to the ball, simplifying things. I don’t know how well that’ll translate into his production in 2024 but it’s at least a positive to see he’s willing to put that work in to become an even more valuable piece than he already is.
11. Willy Adames – Milwaukee Brewers
The 2023 campaign wasn’t kind to Adames offensively, but the shortstop still posted 3.4 fWAR with elite defense despite a 94 wRC+.
He’s still a very good power bat, clubbing 24 homers last season, but his calling card is his defense.
I do wonder if he survives 2024 in Milwaukee, who seems somewhat content rebuilding but also did re-sign right-hander Brandon Woodruff to a multiyear deal (with 2024 likely lost to shoulder recovery). So, we shall see.
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