There is plenty of high-end talent at the shortstop position heading into 2023. The middle tier also offers numerous quality options, with some great budding talent chomping at the bit. There are many different paths one can lead in building a solid infield, all of which can lead to success. Adalberto Mondesi only played in 15 games last year, which is not a surprise based on his recent health issues, and will be only DH eligible until he gets in his qualifying time.
- Trea Turner, PHI – The elite skill set guarantees he’ll be off-the-board as one of the first five picks. Pencil in another 15 HR-25 SB season with a .285+ BA and 100 runs scored.
- Bobby Witt Jr., KCR – A Fantasy monster, Witt brought it in his rookie campaign, slugging 20 homers and swiping thirty bases. His free-swinging ways are the only thing holding him back from being a Top-3 overall pick. 3B-55
- Francisco Lindor, NYM – The disappointing 2021 debut in New York was replaced by vintage Lindor in 2022. A 26 home run, 107 RBI, and 16 stolen base season returns him to elite status at shortstop and a sure-fire Top-40 overall pick.
- Bo Bichette, TOR – A disappointing start to the season that saw him produce a .213 BA in April disappeared as the season wore on. The year-end results were solid, but the low stolen base total (13) is a concern.
- Fernando Tatis Jr., SDP – 2022 was a nightmare of biblical proportions. The unreported broken wrist in a motorcycle accident was followed up by a PED suspension. He didn’t make it on the field last year and still has three weeks remaining on his suspension – that is to be served to start the 2023 campaign. The talent from the neck down is undeniable. From the neck up is still to be determined. OF-24
- Tommy Edman, STL – Edman managed to slug a career-high 13 home runs, with 32 thefts and 95 runs scored. Toss in a .265 BA, and you have one very solid middle infielder. 2B-89
- Corey Seager, TEX – A career-high 33 home runs in his first year in Texas, and the RBI and RS numbers should only improve in an improving Rangers offense.
- Dansby Swanson, CHC – Swanson picked a great time to put together a career year and parlayed it into a 7-year $177 million deal with the Cubs. Temper the RBI and Run Scored numbers, as the Cubs’ offense won’t allow the same opportunities he had in Atlanta.
- Xander Bogaerts, SDP – Even a down year, and Bogaerts had a very down 2022, couldn’t keep AJ Preller from inking him to an 11-year $280 million contract. The Padres 1-thru-4 is as good as any team in the game, especially if Bogaerts returns to form. AJ Preller is betting on it. Will you?
- Jeremy Pena, HOU – Carlos who?
- Wander Franco, TBR – Franco missed virtually all of July and August with a fractured hamate bone. It wasn’t the sophomore campaign we were expecting, but one must remember that he is heading into his age-22 season and has a bright future ahead.
- Tim Anderson, CWS – A check-swing gone awry at the beginning of August cost him the final two months of 2022, but other than the missed time, it was the same old Tim Anderson. Another 15-15 season with a .300 plus BA should be in the cards. The last time Anderson posted a sub-.300 BA was in 2018.
- Oneil Cruz, PIT – The power and SB potential are sky-high, just don’t bet on the same to hold for the BA.
- Carlos Correa, MIN – The former Giant and NY Met returns to the Twins on a six-year, $200 million deal with vesting options that could extend it to a ten-year contract. He is coveted in the actual game, but not so much in ours.
- Javier Baez, DET – The Tigers didn’t see this coming when they inked Baez to a six-year $140 million deal, but a solid September, where he hit five homers and drove in 16 runs while hitting for a .310 BA, is cause for hope that a bounce back is in order.
- Thairo Estrada, SFG – Dual eligibility with 15-20 potential makes Estrada a solid mid-tier option. 2B-102
- Amed Rosario, CLE – Rosario came through in 2022, hitting 11 HR, with 71 RBI, 18 thefts, and a great .283 BA. He’ll be looking to build on those numbers as he heads into Free Agency in 2024.
- Willy Adames, MIL – Adames enjoyed a great 2022, belting 31 homers and driving in 98 runs. He also struck out 166 times. Know your parameters.
- Nico Hoerner, CHC – He stepped into the void created by Javy Baez moving on to the Tigers and very quietly hit 10 HR and swiped 20 bases, both career highs. Can he sustain that breakout campaign?
- Ha-Seong Kim, SDP – We witnessed a much better effort in Kim’s second year with the Padres. How much better? It was good enough that he played 131 games at shortstop in the absence of Fernando Tatis Jr., and it is cause for his current placement at the top-of-the-order in San Diego heading into 2023. 3B-24
- Ezequiel Tovar, COL – Tovar is currently penciled in to own the shortstop gig in 2023. The upside is substantial but will he deliver in his first kick-at-the-can?
- Bryson Stott, PHI – The Phillies saw enough to believe that Stott will be an upgrade over Jean Segura, who is now calling Miami his home. A 15-15 season is within reach. 2B-47
- Brice Turang, MIL – The Brewers are looking to give Turang a shot at full-time employment, albeit at Second Base. The speed is real, and the power showed a solid uptick last year, making the youngster a most intriguing option in the latter rounds.
- Elvis Andrus, FA – It’s now the end of January, and Andrus still hasn’t signed, but he will after a strong 2022. Will the White Sox re-up with the veteran, or will he find a new place to call home in 2023?
- Luis Urias, MIL – 2022 was a disappointment for the 25-year-old Urias, as he failed to build on his strong 2021 season. He looks to be the current favorite to man Third Base in 2023. The Brewers recently signed Brian Anderson as insurance, so a hot start could be imperative in seeing Urias secure full-time at-bats. Proceed with caution. 2B-46, 3B-73
- Jorge Mateo, BAL – If Gunnar Henderson is moving to shortstop, a significant loss of playing time is likely for Jorge Mateo. But all is not lost. You’re investing in the stolen base potential, and he could steal 25 bags even in a part-time role.
- Luis Garcia, WAS – The 22-year-old enjoyed a solid rookie season while learning on the job. Better days are ahead. 2B-33
- CJ Abrams, WAS – The speed will definitely play, and the jury is still out on the power potential.
- Oswald Peraza, NYY – The Yankees have stated that both Peraza and Volpe will get a chance to break camp with the Yankees. Peraza should get the first shot, and that power/speed combination is worthy of a late draft slot. He looked very good in a brief late-season callup.
- Anthony Volpe, NYY – The upside is with Volpe. The first chance probably goes to Peraza.
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa, NYY
- J.P. Crawford, SEA
- Brandon Crawford, SFG
- Dylan Moore, SEA OF-61
- Elly De La Cruz, CIN
- Nicky Lopez, KCR 2B-68, 3B-30
- Kevin Newman, CIN 2B-42
- Jose Barrero, CIN
- Nick Allen, OAK 2B-43
- David Fletcher, LAA 2B-142
- Miguel Rojas, LAD
- Kyle Farmer, MIN 3B-36
- Nick Ahmed, ARZ
- Geraldo Perdomo, ARZ
- Joey Wendle, MIA 2B-33, 3B-43
- Royce Lewis, MIN
- Garrett Hampson, MIA OF-36
- Taylor Walls, TBR 2B-35, 3B-25
- Diego Castillo, ARZ 2B-28, OF-22
- Jordan Lawlar, ARZ
- Noelvi Marte, CIN
- Brayan Rocchio, CLE
- Jordan Westburg, BAL
- Ryan Kreidler, DET 3B-13
- Mauricio Dubon, HOU OF-67
- Paul DeJong, STL
- Addison Barger, TOR
- Ronny Mauricio, NYM
- Austin Martin, MIN
- Edmundo Sosa, PHI 3B-22
- Liover Peguero, PIT
- Matt Reynolds, CIN 2B-36
- Masyn Winn, STL
- Jose Iglesias, FA
- Joey Ortiz, BAL
- Livan Soto, LAA
- Andrelton Simmons, FA
- Alan Trejo, COL
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