Shortstop

1 Trea Turner (WAS) Pencil in 15 homers and 50 stolen bases…….as a floor.
2 Francisco Lindor (CLE) A huge power spike from the youngster saw him mash 33 long balls in 2017. He chipped in with 15 stolen bases. He doesn’t turn 25-years-of-age until this coming November.
3 Carlos Correa (HOU) The odds of the speed diminishing as he aged were high, but in his age-23 season?
4 Alex Bregman (HOU, 3B) He just missed being a 20-20 player in his sophomore campaign. He’ll blow by both of those numbers in 2018.
5 Elvis Andrus (TEX) Elvis left the building 20 times in 2017, up from his previous high of eight. Is it sustainable?
6 Corey Seager (LAD) In a year where power exploded, Seager took a small step backwards, falling to 22 homers from his 2016 total of 26. He’s young with enormous potential, but don’t pay for elite skills until they arrive.
7 Jean Segura (SEA) The move from Arizona to Seattle didn’t help his power game, which was to be expected. He’ll be back up to 30-plus thefts in 2017.
8 Xander Bogaerts (BOS) Someone forgot to tell Bogaerts that 2017 was the year of the homer, as his totals plummeted from 21-to-10. The stolen bases took a small uptick. A bounce back into the 15 homer range would help.
9 Didi Gregorius (NYY) On September 20, he broke the all-time record for most home runs in a season by a Yankee shortstop.  Going “Dutch” isn’t such a bad thing.
10 Marwin Gonzalez (HOU, 1B, 2B, OF)  ` The combination of power/speed and multi-position eligibility can’t and shouldn’t be ignored.
11 Javier Baez (CHC, 2B) 23-75 with ten thefts in 469 at-bats was a very good 2017. If the Cubbies can find Baez another 100 at-bats, 2018 could be a great season.
12 Marcus Semien (OAK) A fractured scaphoid at the base of his right hand cost Semien seven weeks. He still managed a career high with 12 stolen bases. A 20-10 floor is a solid place to start for the under-rated Semien.
13 Tim Anderson (CWS) Even with his inability to draw a walk (13 in 587 at-bats) the power and speed both showed noticeable increases and that trend should continue.
14 Orlando Arcia (MIL) A 20-20 season is in his future.
15 Trevor Story (COL) Plenty of power. Plenty of strikeouts. Same old Story.
16 Jose Peraza (CIN, 2B) He stole 23 bases in 487 at-bats in 2017, with his time split between 2B and SS. This year he owns the SS gig. Pencil him in for at least 30 thefts, with a ceiling that could rank him among the Top-5 base stealers in the game.
17 Addison Russell (CHC) A bout of plantar fasciitis cost him six weeks in the second half. The marital strife definitely took its toll. It was a year to forget for the 24-year-old Russell. He did manage a 21 homer, 95 RBI season in 2016 so if you’re looking for a bounce-back candidate, he fits the bill.
18 Gleyber Torres (NYY) Even if he spends a month down on the farm, the other five will more than make up for the lost time.
19 Jorge Polanco (MIN) The best Polanco in the game.
20 Andrelton Simmons (LAA) He won’t be as good as the first half, nor as bad as the second.
21 Chris Owings (ARZ, 2B, OF) A bit of power. A bit more speed. Lots of roster flexibility.
22 Paul DeJong (STL) Who is Paul DeJong and how did he hit 38 homers between Triple-A and the Majors last year?
23 Amed Rosario (NYM) He’s taking a bit of a back seat to some of the other high-upside young guns, but shouldn’t be.
24 Brandon Crawford (SF) 84, 84, and 77 RBI’s the past three seasons. That’ll work in deeper Leagues.
25 Tim Beckham (BAL) It’s nice to see the Rays finally get a return on that $6.15 million signing bonus.
26 Zack Cozart (LAA) A new team. A new position. Hopefully, the same results.
27 Yangervis Solarte (TOR, 2B, 3B) He’s really going to enjoy the move from San Diego to Toronto. Devon Travis and Troy Tulowitzki’s on-going health issues are a guarantee that Solarte won’t struggle to find playing time.
28 Ketel Marte (ARZ) Are we beginning to see the Marte we expected when he first came up with the Mariners?
29 Freddy Galvis (SD) Holding down the fort until the arrival of uber-prospect Fernando Tatis Jr.
30 Troy Tulowitzki (TOR) If he’s healthy breaking camp, enjoy the moment. There won’t be enough of them.
31 Asdrubal Cabrera (NYM, 2B, 3B)
32 Dansby Swanson (ATL)
33 Daniel Robertson (TAM, 2B)
34 Jordy Mercer (PIT)
35 Dixon Machado (DET, 2B)
36 Jose Reyes (NYM, 2B, 3B)
37 Ronald Torreyes (NYY, 2B, 3B)
38 Wilmer Difo (WAS, 2B)
39 Chad Pinder (OAK, OF)
40 Enrique Hernandez (LAD, OF)
41 Franklin Barreto (OAK)
42 Jose Iglesias (DET)
43 Johan Camargo (ATL, 3B)
44 Adeiny Hechavarria (TAM)
45 Willy Adames (TB)
46 Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD)
47 Eric Sogard (MIL, 2B)
48 Nick Ahmed (ARZ)
49 J.T. Riddle (MIA)
50 Adam Rosales (PHI)
51 Pat Valaika (COL)
52 Alcides Escobar (FA)
53 Taylor Motter (SEA)
54 Allen Cordoba (SD, OF)
55 J.J. Hardy (FA)
56 Erick Aybar (FA)
57 Aledmys Diaz (TOR)
58 Ryan Goins (KC, 2B)

 

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