When you have five shortstop eligible players rolling off the board in the First Round and another two in the second, it’s hard to say avoiding the Top-Tier is a good approach. Take what the position gives you and don’t worry if you miss out on the elite shortstops as there are plenty of opportunities to acquire very serviceable players at any point in time during the draft.
1. Bobby Witt Jr., KCR –Witt is a consensus Top-3 overall pick, and with back-to-back 30-30 seasons, he has earned that lofty status.
2. Elly De La Cruz, CIN – It will be hard to sustain a decent BA when you strikeout at the level he did last year (218 K’s in 618 AB), but one can overlook these struggles when a 30 HR/70SB season is a very real possibility.
3. Gunnar Henderson, BAL – He tailed off a bit in the second half, but when you go 28-63 with 14 thefts in the first half, is that expected to be repeated? He’s on the cusp of becoming a superstar.
4. Francisco Lindor, NYM –For those who were concerned with Lindor’s first season in New York, the next three seasons, especially the last two, have alleviated those concerns. In 2024, he came up with one SB short of back-to-back 30-to-30 seasons.
5. Mookie Betts, LAD – OF-43 – He’s consistent with outfield eligibility. If you’re looking for safety, here you go.
6. Trea Turner, PHI—The data is starting to show some wear with Turner as his exit velo is mid-pack, and he’s chases a ton, but he’s still one of the fastest players in the league.
7. Corey Seager, TEX – IF he can stay healthy, he’s going to hit 40 home runs one year. However, health has been a problem of late.
8. CJ Abrams, WAS – He’s still young but doesn’t hit the ball very hard and still needs work on controlling the strike zone. If you believe he solves that as he matures, it’s a great pick.
9. Oneil Cruz, PIT – OF-23 – It’s crazy bat speed (100th percentile) with speed. The speed and power upside are enormous. The fly in the ointment is he swings at everything and doesn’t always hit things when he does swing. Know your parameters!
10. Willy Adames, SFG – Where did the 21 stolen bases come from? I’m not sure, as he’s an average runner. However, everyone seems to steal bases now and throw in exit velocities that point to 25+ home run pop, there’s a lot to like.
11. Anthony Volpe, NYY – The 2024 campaign was looked at as an underwhelming season for the 23-year-old shortstop, and he still managed to hit 12 homers, steal 28 bases, score 90 runs hitting at the top-of-the-order, and improve his BA from .209 to .244. Many a player would be very happy to have that type of underwhelming season.
12. Ezequiel Tovar, COL – He’s not a complete player yet as his ability to control the strike zone leaves a lot to be desired. Ok, it’s terrible! He should get stronger and 20 home runs should become the floor. There’s more speed in his game than he showed. If you can live with a sub .300 OBP, then there’s good value if one of the elite shortstops are off the board.
13. Matt McLain, CIN – There’s no doubting McLain has the potential to produce a 25-25 season. A shoulder injury suffered in Spring Training and the subsequent surgery cost him all of 2024, but an AFL rehab stint has him looking to be 100% ready to roll come Spring.
14. Masyn Winn, STL – Winn has already stated he wants to run more in 2025 with his goal being to steal between 30 and 40 bases. If he can follow through on those plans, the soon-to-be 23-year-old is poised to take a big leap up the charts.
15. Dansby Swanson, CHC – He’s a bit boring, but there are enough skills here for at least 15-15 production with a chance for 20-20. His xBA was .244, and while he could post a .250 batting average, I don’t think there would be much more in the tank than that.
16. Jeremy Pena, HOU – His sprint speed is in the 98th percentile, so the 20 stolen bases he posted in 2024 shouldn’t be a surprise. However, the exit velocities point to average power. The data suggest 2024 looks repeatable.
17. Zach Neto, LAA – He was rushed through the minor leagues and then got hurt in 2023. However, who had 23-30 on their bingo card last season? I didn’t. In looking at the data, there’s a lot of “meh” there. Poor bat speed and exit velocities don’t portend 25+ home runs. Think more – 15 to 20. His sprint speed is in the 73rd percentile, so 30 stolen bases might be a stretch, but I could see a 15-20 player who hits .250.
18. Xavier Edwards, MIA – 31 stolen bases in a half season combined with a very good hit tool and hitting at the top-of-the-order makes Edwards a most intriguing option. Can we set the floor at 40 thefts and a .270 BA after last year’s results?
19. Tyler Fitzgerald, SFG – The 27-year-old finally got a legitimate shot and took full advantage of it, slugging 15 homers to go along with 17 stolen bases in only 314 at-bats. The upside potential makes for a solid spec pick in the mid-teen rounds. He currently doesn’t possess 2B eligibility but will attain it early in the 2025 season.
20. Trevor Story, BOS – It’s all about the health, something sorely missing since the move to Boston in 2022.
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