{"id":442559,"date":"2026-01-30T07:56:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T07:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/442559\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T07:56:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T07:56:12","slug":"top-10-shortstops-heading-into-the-2026-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/442559\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Shortstops heading into the 2026 season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ranking shortstops is never just about comparing stat lines. It is about identifying who provides the most value in baseball\u2019s most demanding position. MLB Network\u2019s \u201cThe Shredder\u201d combines recent performance with a deep dive into offensive and defensive metrics to sort the elite from the very good. Here are the 10 players <\/a>it rates highest as we approach the 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n

10. Zach Neto (Angels)\"\"Sep 9, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (9) following the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Stats to know:\u00a026 HR, 26 SB (2025).<\/p>\n

Neto lands at number 10 on both The Shredder\u2019s list and Brian Kenny\u2019s personal rankings, which speaks volumes about his rapid ascent. The logic for his inclusion is simple enough. He is already producing power and speed from a premium spot on the diamond very early in his career. For the Angels, that dual-threat ability is the cornerstone of a lineup that desperately needs reliable production up the middle.\u200b<\/p>\n

9. Elly De La Cruz (Reds)\"\"Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) throws a ball into the crowd after the second inning of the MLB National League Wild Card Game 2 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. The Reds were eliminated from the postseason with an 8-4 loss to the reigning World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers.<\/p>\n

De La Cruz checks in at number nine on The Shredder\u2019s 2026 list, a clear nod to a toolkit that can alter the course of a game even when he isn\u2019t fully dialed in. He holds the same spot on MLB.com\u2019s recap, keeping him firmly within the position\u2019s top tier. His appeal is easy to see. He pressures defenses in ways that almost no other shortstop can, forcing the league to account for him on every single pitch.\u200b<\/p>\n

8. Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (Astros)\"\"Jun 17, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) during the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Stats to know:\u00a0.840 OPS (2025).<\/p>\n

Pe\u00f1a arrives at number eight for 2026, marking his first appearance in the Top 10 at shortstop according to MLB.com. This detail is significant because these lists typically favor sustained value over isolated hot streaks. Houston has always asked its shortstops to be steady with the glove and productive at the plate, and Pe\u00f1a\u2019s recent performance confirms he is meeting that high standard.<\/p>\n

7. Trea Turner (Nationals)\"\"Oct 9, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) throws to first for an out in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Turner sits at number seven on the SI-reported Shredder list, occupying the territory where consistency and track record start to weigh as heavily as peak potential. His ranking reflects an established history of production that keeps him relevant even as the position gets younger and deeper. When a player remains in this tier year after year, it signals that analysts still trust his baseline contributions despite a crowded field at the top.\u200b<\/p>\n

6. Geraldo Perdomo (Diamondbacks)\"\"Aug 10, 2025; Phoenix, Ariz., U.S.; Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Geraldo Perdomo (2) throws a ball as a broken bat rolls towards his against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field on Aug. 10, 2025.<\/p>\n

Stats to know:\u00a020 HR, 7.1 FanGraphs WAR (2025).<\/p>\n

Perdomo lands in sixth place, a jump framed by MLB.com as the result of a breakout season that redefined his profile. While the power surge grabbed headlines, the real differentiator at shortstop is when that offense comes without sacrificing defense. For Arizona, this ranking serves as validation that his strong season wasn\u2019t a fluke. It has moved him onto the short list of the game\u2019s best at his position.<\/p>\n

5. Mookie Betts (Dodgers)\"\"Nov 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) walks against the Toronto Blue Jays in the tenth inning during game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Stats to know:\u00a021 Outs Above Average (led NL SS), 17 Defensive Runs Saved (most among SS).\u200b<\/p>\n

Betts holds the fifth spot for a second consecutive year, which is impressive considering he is still relatively new to playing shortstop full-time. The defensive metrics highlighted in the SI report explain why he remains here. The model is rewarding legitimate shortstop value rather than just a superstar playing out of position. With the Dodgers committing to him as their starter for 2026, this isn\u2019t a temporary experiment. It is simply their plan.\u200b<\/p>\n

4. Gunnar Henderson (Orioles)\"\"Sep 28, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) throws out New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (not pictured) at first base after fielding a ground ball during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Henderson ranks fourth on the 2026 list after entering last season at number one. This placement matters because it suggests his overall package remains elite even if the top spot has shifted. In a ranking system that weighs both offense and defense, staying in the top four means you are impacting the game on both sides of the ball rather than just compiling counting stats.\u200b<\/p>\n

3. Francisco Lindor (Mets)\"\"Sep 28, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) throws to first base to retire Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (not pictured) during the second inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Lindor slots in at number three, a ranking reserved for players who deliver reliable output year after year at a position that exposes every flaw. He also takes third on MLB.com\u2019s recap, reinforcing that his standing is one of the least debated in the top 10. When a position is this deep, being a consensus top-three choice is an accomplishment in itself. It means your floor is respected just as much as your ceiling.\u200b<\/p>\n

2. Corey Seager (Rangers)\"\"Aug 24, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) cannot field a ball hit by Cleveland Guardians second baseman Brayan Rocchio (not pictured) during the second inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Seager enters 2026 at number two on The Shredder\u2019s list, keeping him squarely in the conversation for the game\u2019s best shortstop. He also holds the second spot on MLB.com\u2019s published rankings, aligning the broader view with the model\u2019s data. The main takeaway here is stability. Even with constant turnover around the league, the rankings continue to treat him as a pillar near the very top of the position.\u200b<\/p>\n

1. Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals)\"\"Sep 23, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) is greeted in the dugout after scoring during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Stats to know:\u00a0Led MLB in hits for the second straight season.<\/p>\n

Witt claims the number one spot for 2026, becoming the sixth different shortstop to lead the list in the last six years. MLB.com links his rise directly to his production, specifically highlighting his back-to-back seasons leading the majors in hits. In a model built to blend offense, defense, and overall impact, that combination of volume and value is exactly what pushes a player to the top of the list.\u200b<\/p>\n

A poll that reads like a preview\"\"Sep 9, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (9) heads out for the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Rankings don\u2019t win games, but they do show where the league\u2019s most dependable two-way value can be found. This top 10 reminds us that playing shortstop in 2026 requires a wide range of skills that all lead to the same result: winning impact. The only real verdict will come in April when these names have to turn their list positions into victories on the field.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ranking shortstops is never just about comparing stat lines. It is about identifying who provides the most value…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":442560,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[435],"tags":[49,48,462,82],"class_list":["post-442559","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-mlb","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/442559","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=442559"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/442559\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/442560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=442559"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=442559"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=442559"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}