The rankings for shortstops are broken into four parts: the top 10 prospects in order, the next seven prospects in alphabetical order, an extensive list of age-21-and-under prospects worth following closely and those who could provide some value in 2015. As always, these rankings are done from a scouting perspective but with fantasy baseball in mind, generally focusing on standard 5x5 league categories, though other statistics (e.g., OBP) are considered.
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MLB Graduates:
Addison Russell, Chicago Cubs
Wilmer Difo, Washington Nationals
Jorge Polanco, Minnesota Twins
Orlando Calixte, Kansas City Royals
Cristhian Adames, Colorado Rockies
The Top 10:
1. Carlos Correa, Houston Astros (Triple-A Fresno, Pacific Coast League)
Correa continued to blow past all reasonable expectations last season, batting .325/.416/.510 with 32 extra-base hits, 20 stolen bases and a 45-36 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 62 games. He seemed bound for a promotion to Double-A before suffering a season-ending fibula injury in late June while sliding into third base. Fully healthy for 2015, the 20-year-old phenom put up huge numbers at Double-A Corpus Christi to open the season, batting .385/.459/.726 with seven home runs, 32 RBI, 15 stolen bases and 25 runs scored through his first 29 games, and was promoted to Triple-A Fresno on May 12. With veteran shortstop Jed Lowrie out through the All-Star break with a torn thumb ligament, it’s seeming more and more likely that Correa’s day will come sooner than later. The 2012 No. 1 overall draft pick has arguably the highest ceiling in the minors, with the potential to be a perennial All-Star and possibly even an MVP candidate in his prime.
Fantasy Upside: .300/.360/.475, 20-25 HR, 25+ SB
2. Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers (Triple-A Oklahoma City, Pacific Coast League)
Seager was one of the top hitters in the minor leagues last season, batting .349/.402/.602 with 20 home runs, 50 doubles and 97 RBI in 526 plate appearances between High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Chattanooga. The 21-year-old returned to the Double-A level for the 2015 season and quickly mastered the Texas League, batting .375/.407/.675 with 13 extra-base hits in 20 games before moving up to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Seager likely will continue to see time at both shortstop and third base at the minor’s highest level, with the latter position representing his clearest route to the major leagues. The Dodgers’ top prospect appears to be on the fast track to the major leagues and could arrive sooner than expected.
Fantasy Upside: .280+ AVG, 35+ 2B, 20-25 HR
3. Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians (Triple-A Columbus, International League)
Lindor has gotten off to a relatively slow start this season back in the International League, batting just .263/.337/.375 with 12 extra-base hits (one home run) and seven stolen bases through 38 games. The Indians, meanwhile, would like to see more consistent production from their future shortstop before turning him loose in the big leagues. That said, it would be surprising if the 21-year-old weren’t manning the six spot for the Tribe by the end of June. Even if Lindor’s bat doesn’t develop as hoped, he still has the potential to enjoy a long, successful career in the major leagues based on his defensive prowess, superb makeup and ability to control the speed of the game. However, even modest offensive production could make Lindor a perennial All-Star.
Fantasy Upside: .280+ AVG, .350 OBP, 8-12 HR, 15+ SB
4. J.P. Crawford, Philadelphia Phillies (High-A Clearwater, Florida State League)
Crawford, 20, emerged as one of baseball’s top prospects last season in his first full pro campaign, posting a very impressive .285/.375/.406 batting line to go along with 11 home runs and 24 stolen bases in 123 games between both Class-A levels. The 2013 first-rounder suffered an oblique strain near the end of spring training that kept him off the field until early May, but he’s quickly made up for the lost time with a hot start in the Florida State League. It shouldn’t be long until Crawford is promoted to Double-A, and when it happens, he’ll become one of the youngest everyday players across the entire level. Crawford profiles as a plus hitter once fully developed, and his remarkably advanced approach should permit good utility of his raw power in games.
Fantasy Upside: .280+ AVG, .350+ OBP, 15-18 HR, 10-15 SB
5. Tim Anderson, Chicago White Sox (Double-A Birmingham, Southern League)
Selected one pick (No. 17) after Crawford in the 2013 draft, Anderson showed a ton of potential last year in his first full season, hitting for both average (.301) and power (37 XBH, .481 SLG) in addition to impact games on the base paths (10 SB), but was limited to only 83 games due to injury. However, the fact that 10 of those games came at Double-A Birmingham was big for the 21-year-old, as the experience likely has played a role in his hot start back in the the Southern League (.304/.322/.417, 13 XBH, 15 SB in 39 G). Anderson stands out for his plus-plus speed, quick bat and strong contact skills, though there is concern about whether his aggressive approach (23.6% K%, 4.3% BB% in 836 career PA) will translate against more advanced arms. It’s worked for him so far thanks to the aforementioned contact skills, but the approach as a whole is still very much a work in progress.
Fantasy Upside: .275+ AVG, 30+ 2B, 12-15 HR, 20+ SB
6. Trea Turner, San Diego Padres/Washington Nationals (Double-A San Antonio, Texas League)
The No. 13 overall pick in the 2014 draft, Turner was the player to be named later in the offseason three-team trade with the Rays and Nationals, and he’ll join the latter organization next month. The 21-year-old shortstop put up strong numbers in his professional debut, batting .323/.406/.448 with five home runs and 23 stolen bases in 69 games last season between the Short Season and Low-A levels. For now, Turner is still a Padre and playing at Double-A San Antonio, where he’s batted .324/.404/.493 with 14 extra-base hits (four home runs) and eight steals through 36 games. Turner’s plus-plus speed and plus hit tool give him huge top-of-the-order potential and make him an extremely valuable fantasy asset, but power shouldn’t be expected from the promising young shortstop.
Fantasy Upside: .280+ AVG, 10-12 HR, 30+ SB
7. Nick Gordon, Minnesota Twins (Low-A Cedar Rapids, Midwest League
The son of former MLB closer Tom “Flash” Gordon and brother of the Marlins’ Dee Gordon, Nick was viewed as the best true shortstop the 2014 draft class before the Twins selected him fifth overall. In his first taste of professional baseball, the 19-year-old batted .294/.333/.366 with one home run, 28 RBI and 11 steals over 57 games for Rookie-level Elizabethton. Unfortunately, his season was cut short (albeit by only a few games) when he suffered a broken finger during the Appalachian League playoffs. Gordon has good strength to his athletic frame, and some power should emerge as he grows into his body and adds muscle. From a fantasy perspective, he’s more likely to contribute in the batting-average department as well as on the base paths, and there’s little doubt about his ability to stick at shortstop long term.
Fantasy Upside: .270+ AVG, 12-15 HR, 10-15 SB
8. Raul Adalberto Mondesi, Kansas City Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas,
Texas League)
Viewed as one of the top shortstop prospects in the minors, Mondesi struggled mightily last season at High-A Wilmington, batting just .211/.256/.354 with a 25.9% strikeout rate. The 19-year-old switch-hitter has a clean swing from both sides of the plate, with bat speed and barrel awareness that suggest a future above-average hit tool. It’s hard to get a read on Mondesi’s true power potential at the moment, as he’s still figuring out his identity as a hitter, but he definitely showed more raw power in 2014, especially from the left side of the plate. Moved up to Double-A for the 2015 season, Mondesi played in Northwest Arkansas’ season opener on April 9 but missed the next five weeks with a lower-back injury. There’s still a huge gap between Mondesi’s present ability and future potential, but the upside is undeniable.
Fantasy Upside: .270+ AVG, 12-15 HR, 20+ SB
9. Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies (Double-A New Britain, Eastern League)
After a dismal 2013 campaign in the California League, Story got back on track last year and resuscitated his prospect stock with a strong performance (.841 OPS, 48 XBH, 23 SB) between High-A Modesto and Double-A Tulsa, although his production did drop off at the more advanced level. Story certainly hasn’t had any issues this season in his return to Double-A, however, as the 22-year-old is batting a robust .346/.444/.602 with 21 extra-base hits (five home runs) and eight steals through his first 36 games. Story will always have some swing-and-miss to his game (27.5% career K%), but he makes lots of hard contact and possesses above-average power. Should he continue down this path and maintain his improved approach, then it’s possible that Story could receive his first taste of the major leagues later this year.
Fantasy Upside: .270+ AVG, 30+ 2B, 15-20 HR, 12-15 SB
10. http://www.nbcsports.com/edge/player/MLB/7776/Daniel-RobertsonDaniel Robertson, Tampa Bay Rays (Double-A Montgomery, Southern League)
Acquired from the A’s during the offseason, Robertson enjoyed a breakout 2014 season in the High-A California League, slashing .310/.402/.471 with 15 homers and 60 RBI. He also walked 72 times against 94 strikeouts and posted an 83% contact rate. The 21-year-old has continued to swing a hot stick this season at Double-A Montgomery, with a .310/.389/.503 batting line and 19 extra-base hits through 36 games. The Rays have a crop of impressive shortstop prospects in their farm system, but Robertson is the best of the bunch. Although there’s a chance he reaches the major leagues before the end of the season, a debut at some point during 2016 is more realistic.
Fantasy Upside: .280+ AVG, .350 OBP, 12-15 HR, 30+ 2B
The Next 7 (Alphabetical Order):
Willy Adames, Tampa Bay Rays (High-A Charlotte, Florida State League)
Adames became a hot name in dynasty leagues last summer when he became the key return for the Rays, coming over from the Tigers, in the David Price trade. The 19-year-old has the potential to be an impact hitter with at least average power at maturity, which gives the Rays plenty of incentive to keep him at shortstop for as long as possible. Adames is batting .302/.377/.450 with 12 extra-base hits through 34 games this season in his first taste of the High-A level.
Ozhaino Albies, Atlanta Braves (Low-A Rome, South Atlantic League)
Signed by the Braves out of Curacao in 2013, Albies put on a hitting clinic last summer in his pro debut, as the then-17-year-old batted a robust .381 over 19 games in the Gulf Coast League and then followed it with a .356 clip in 38 Appalachian League contests. Now 18, the switch-hitting Albies has performed well in his introduction to full-season baseball, batting .295/.352/.376 with eight extra-base hits and 15 stolen bases through 36 games in the South Atlantic League.
Orlando Arcia, Milwaukee Brewers (Double-A Biloxi, Southern League) 20
Arcia has long been revered as one of the better defensive shortstops in the minor leagues, and he took a step forward at the plate last season in the Florida State League with a .289/.346/.392 batting line in 127 games. However, the 20-year-old’s game has really come together this season at Biloxi, as he’s batting a robust .354/.406/.493 with 51 hits (15 extra-base hits) and an 11/11 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 39 games. The Brewers don’t have reason to rush Arcia’s development, but it’s conceivable that he could receive an audition in the big leagues later this season should the club move Jean Segura.
Ketel Marte, Seattle Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma, Pacific Coast League)
Marte continues to fly under the radar for shortstop prospects, even after a breakout 2014 campaign in which he batted .304/.335/.411 with 42 extra-base hits and 29 steals between Double- and Triple-A. The 21-year-old hasn’t skipped a beat in his return to Tacoma this season, batting .346/.390/.447 with 11 extra-base hits and 13 stolen bases through 40 games. The Mariners shortstop situation is still largely undecided, with playing time going to both Brad Miller and Chris Taylor, and it might not be long until Marte finds himself in the mix.
Jorge Mateo, New York Yankees (Low-A Charleston, South Atlantic League)
Mateo was limited to just 15 games in his stateside debut last season due to injury, but it was still enough time for the toolsy shortstop to showcase his speed (11 SB) and promising bat (.750 OPS). The 19-year-old is off to a promising start this year at Low-A Charleston, with a .257/.315/.331 batting line and seven extra-base hits through 23 games, and he currently leads all minor leaguers with 29 stolen bases (in 36 attempts). Mateo, who is widely regarded as one of the fastest players in the minors, swiped 49 bags in 64 games back in 2013 in the Dominican Summer League, and he should contend for the minor league title if he can stay healthy.
Amed Rosario, New York Mets (High-A St. Lucie, Florida State League)
The Mets gave Rosario the highest international signing bonus in franchise history back in 2012, signing him for $1.75 million, and he’s since emerged as a one of the more intriguing shortstop prospects in the low minors. Making the jump directly High-A St. Lucie from Short Season Brooklyn this season, Rosario, 19, is batting a respectable .260/299/.363 with 12 extra-base hits through 38 games, but also owns a 29/5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in that span.
Gleyber Torres, Chicago Cubs (Low-A South Bend, Midwest League)
Torres, 18, is making his full-season debut this year after a strong 2014 professional debut in which he batted .297/.386/.440 with 16 extra-base hits and 10 stolen bases in 50 games between the Arizona and Northwest Leagues. The fact that he’s one of the younger everyday players at the Low-A level this season hasn’t been an issue for Torres, who’s raked at a .336/.422/.425 clip with 10 extra-base hits and eight steals through 36 games. Torres is a well-rounded player who profiles at either shortstop or second base, but he’s likely several years away from making an impact in the major leagues.
Dynasty Notables: 21 & Under Club (Alphabetical Order):
Abiatal Avelino, New York Yankees (High-A Tampa, Florida State League)
Roberto Baldoquin, Los Angeles Angels (High-A Inland Empire)
Franklin Barreto, Oakland Athletics (High-A Stockton, California League)
Yu-Cheng Chang, Cleveland Indians (Low-A Lake County, Midwest League)
Michael De Leon, Texas Rangers (Low-A Hickory, South Atlantic League)
Mauricio Dubon, Boston Red Sox (Low-A Greenville, South Atlantic League)
Javier Guerra, Boston Red Sox (Low-A Greenville, South Atlantic League)
Gilbert Lara, Milwaukee Brewers (Unassigned)
Dawel Lugo, Toronto Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin, Florida State League)
Oscar Mercardo, St. Louis Cardinals (Low-A Peoria, Midwest League)
Yairo Munoz, Oakland Athletics (Low-A Beloit, Midwest League)
Milton Ramos, New York Mets (Unassigned)
Adrian Rondon, Tampa Bay Rays (Unassigned)
Jose Rondon, San Diego Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore, California League)
Edmundo Sosa, St. Louis Cardinals (Unassigned)
Cole Tucker, Pittsburgh Pirates (Low-A West Virginia, South Atlantic League)
Richard Urena, Toronto Blue Jays (Low-A Lansing, Midwest League)
Andrew Velazquez, Tampa Bay Rays (High-A Charlotte, Florida State League)
Tyler Wade, New York Yankees (High-A Tampa, Florida State League)
2015 Fantasy Value (Alphabetical Order):
Deven Marrero, Boston Red Sox
Erik Gonzalez, Cleveland Indians
Yadiel Rivera, Milwaukee Brewers
http://www.nbcsports.com/edge/player/MLB/6348/Matt-ReynoldsMatt Reynolds, New York Mets
Hak-Ju Lee, Tampa Bay Rays
Previous installments from Prospect Positional series:
Third Basemen (5/13/2015)
Second Basemen (5/7/2015)
First Basemen (4/30/2015)
Outfielders (4/16/2015)
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