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Shortstop is a very deep position in the MLB. There were several MVP candidates and superstar seasons at the position last year, and the future is just as bright. It's perhaps the most important position defensively, but it's quickly becoming an offensive spot, too. Here are the best of the best.
Best SS in MLB right now
10) Masyn Winn
Masyn Winn had a breakout season for the St. Louis Cardinals last year. The young star had a 103 wRC+ and 3.6 fWAR in his first full season in the big leagues.
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9) Trea Turner
Trea Turner didn't have a fantastic second season with the Philadelphia Phillies, but he still recorded the ninth-most fWAR in only 121 games. His full-season value would've been much higher, but he's also getting a little older and might not be able to replicate that in the future.
8) Mookie Betts
Mookie Betts is likely once again to play shortstop this year, a position he handled decently enough last year. His defense there was pretty rough, which hurts his value, but he still had a 141 wRC+ and 4.4 fWAR in just 116 games.
7) Dansby Swanson
Dansby Swanson had a 99 wRC+, which is one point below a league-average hitter. Yet, his all-MLB defense helped him record a 4.3 fWAR, which was the eighth-most among shortstops.
6) Willy Adames
Willy Adames has always been solid defensively, but he broke out offensively. He blasted a career-high 32 home runs and recorded a 4.8 fWAR. He turned that into a mega deal with the San Francisco Giants.
5) Corey Seager
Corey Seager missed almost 40 games and still recorded 4.5 fWAR. That's a pace that would've resulted in 5.9 fWAR, which would've been the fifth-highest of all shortstops and one of the best marks in baseball.
4) Elly De La Cruz
It's hard to discredit what Elly De La Cruz did last season. He burst onto the scene with a 6.4 fWAR, 25 home runs and 67 steals in his first full season at the major league level.
3) Francisco Lindor
Francisco Lindor was an MVP finalist. If not for the historic brilliance of one Shohei Ohtani, the New York Mets star would've won the award despite not even making the All-Star Game. He finished with an impressive 7.8 fWAR.
2) Gunnar Henderson
Gunnar Henderson really broke out last year. After a very strong rookie season that resulted in a Rookie of the Year award, the Baltimore Orioles star had a 8.0 fWAR, which was among the top five in all of baseball last year.
1) Bobby Witt Jr.
There were only two people in all of baseball to exceed 10.0 fWAR, and Bobby Witt Jr. was one of them. If not for Aaron Judge's historic greatness, the Kansas City Royals star would've won the MVP, and he might've won it if he played in the NL with a 10.4 fWAR.
