The Best Shortstops in Baseball
Derek Jeter, Jose Reyes, and Jimmy Rollins Top This Year's List
Today's shortstops must be able to hit for average and power, play Gold Glove-level defense, run the bases well and have a rifle arm. These guys meet all five criteria.
Shortstop has always been a glamour position in baseball. Maybe it began with Honus Wagner, the Hall of Famer who played shortstop for the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1897 through 1917. Wagner was a wizard with the glove and the bat who collected 3,415 hits in his career.
Or maybe it was Lou Boudreau, the Cleveland Indians shortstop who became team manager at age 24 and led the franchise to its last World Series title in 1948.
While those two were certainly among the best shortstops in history, so many other great players have followed in their footsteps, including: Phil Rizzuto, Ernie Banks, Ozzie Smith, Cal Ripken, Alex Rodriguez, and these guys, who are the best shortstops in baseball today.
1. Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
Jeter gets the nod as the top shortstop in baseball based on his play this season and his overall career accomplishments. Hitting second in the Yankees' lineup, Jeter is currently batting .318. He ranks third in hits in the American League with 166, and he's in the top 10 in average, runs scored, doubles and on-base percentage. Jeter is also poised to win his fourth straight Gold Glove award.
A likely future Hall of Famer who won the 2006 Hank Aaron award, Jeter has four World Series rings, as well as the most postseason hits in baseball history. He's also got a legitimate shot at 4,000 hits. Jeter is still the king until somebody knocks him off the throne; or until Alex Rodriguez plays shortstop next year for the Los Angeles Angels.
2. Jose Reyes, New York Mets
Jose Reyes is the most exciting player in baseball today. With 32 games left in the Mets' season, Reyes already has 71 steals and 99 runs scored. He's got a legitimate shot to become just the fifth player to steal more than 100 bases in a season (joining Lou Brock, Rickey Henderson, Maury Wills, Vince Coleman).
The 23-year old kid can hit for average (.299), he can slug the ball well for a lead-off hitter (28 doubles, 11 triples, 9 HR), and he can field his position as well as anyone, including Jeter. Reyes is going to win an MVP award very soon.
3. Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies
Jimmy Rollins does not get enough respect. This guy could be the most well-rounded player in the National League, with the possible exception of his double-play partner, Chase Utley. Through 130 games, Jimmy is batting .290 with 35 doubles, 15 triples, and 22 home runs. He leads all of baseball with 112 runs scored, and has driven in 72 runs despite hitting leadoff.
If Rollins keeps his current pace over the last five weeks of the season, he has a good chance to become the first player in more than 70 years top 40 doubles, 20 triples, 30 home runs, 30 stolen bases, 140 Runs and 90 RBI. Them's MVP numbers.
4. Hamley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
Last season's NL Rookie of the Year is not having a sophomore slump. Ramirez, who was traded for leading American League Cy Young candidate Josh Beckett, is batting .331 with 23 home runs and 65 RBI from the leadoff spot. He's also scored 101 runs (2nd in the NL) and stolen 41 bases (3rd). Finally, even though he's a leadoff hitter, Ramirez ranks 10th in slugging percentage. Not too shabby.
5. Carlos Guillen, Detroit Tigers
Guillen flies under the radar. He shouldn't. He's been one of the best shortstops in baseball for the past four years. 2007 has been his best season yet. The Tigers' shortstop is batting .304, and he leads all American League shortstops with home runs (19), RBI (84), slugging percentage (.527) and OPS (.891).
Three More Very Good Shortstops
Miguel Tejada, Baltimore Orioles. The 2002 MVP had a monster season in 2006 (.33 BA, 24 HR, 100 RBI) but has slowed down this season.
Edgar Renteria, St. Louis Cardinals. The player who won the 1997 World Series is still a top man at the number 6 position. Despite struggling with a bad ankle this season, Edgar is batting .336 with 11 homers and 53 RBI in 106 games.
Jhonny Peralta, Cleveland Indians.
He spells his name funny but he swings the bat just fine. Peralta hasn't made the Indians forget about the 11-time Gold Glove winner Omar Vizquel, but he has been a fantastic follow-up act. Peralta may not have the glove of Vizquel (does anyone?), but he's got a lot more pop in his bat.
Two on the Rise
Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies
J.J. Hardy, Milwaukee Brewers
