Fantasy Baseball 2012: Top 30 Shortstops

If you you think this year's pool of mixed-league shortstops is devoid of many four-category studs or three-category gems, just wait until Hanley Ramirez (most likely) converts to full-time 3B eligibility in 2013...or when Derek Jeter and Jimmy Rollins inch closer to retirement around 2015/16.

The bottom line: When it comes to approaching shortstops in the draft, I always adopt the aphorism of Go Big, Or Go Home. Or, in the case of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, if you have the means to acquire Troy Tulowitzki, Han-Ram, Jose Reyes, Elvis Andrus or Starlin Castro at the prescribed draft slot, "I highly recommend picking one up."

You can always find a hidden star in the outfield or with starting pitchers during the later rounds.

#30: Brendan Ryan, Mariners

Skinny: A respectable deep-sleeper in AL-only leagues...assuming he can hit .250 or above.

#29: Yuniesky Betancourt, Royals

Skinny: The hot-and-cold Betancourt is probably a more valuable asset in head-to-head leagues than roto setups.

#28: Clint Barmes, Pirates

Skinny: Best-case scenario of 12 homers, 50 runs and 50 RBIs adds some intrigue to the last round of your draft.

#27: Alex Gonzalez, Brewers

Skinny: The autumn years of Gonzalez's MLB existence could still yield 60 runs and 60 RBIs.

#26: Tyler Pastornicky, Braves

Skinny: A sweet-swinging, slick-fielding prospect who'll likely need time to develop in Atlanta.

#25: Alcides Escobar, Royals

Skinny: Kansas City's present and future shortstop should be a stalwart in runs and steals this season.

#24: Zack Cozart, Reds

Skinny: A three-category gem in the minors (HRs, runs, steals), but will that proficiency transcend to the bigs?

#23: Sean Rodriguez, Rays

Skinny: Rodriguez could move up a few spots this month, given his 15-15 potential and 2B-SS-3B versatility.

#22: Emilio Bonifacio, Marlins

Skinny: A two-category whirlwind (runs, steals) who needs to prove last year's .296 BA wasn't a fluke.

#21: Rafael Furcal, Cardinals

Skinny: Furcal is a poor (or older) man's Starlin Castro, still boasting modest potential in all five categories.

#20: Jed Lowrie, Astros

Skinny: Lowrie's respectable ranking is based more on potential than tangible production in the majors.

#19: Jason Bartlett, Padres

Skinny: OK, so Petco Park is a homer drain, but what's to explain Bartlett's downward batting trends?

#18: Cliff Pennington, Athletics

Skinny: I'm still holding out hope that Pennington's 29 steals from 2010 weren't an aberration.

#17: Yunel Escobar, Blue Jays

Skinny: At 29, Escobar still has time to post career highs in runs, HRs and batting average.

#16: Ian Desmond, Nationals

Skinny: Desmond could improve upon last year's marks in runs, HRs and RBIs, but 25 steals is ambitious.

#15: Marco Scutaro, Rockies

Skinny: Scutaro (2B eligibility sometime around April 10) could leapfrog a few guys here with a productive spring.

#14: Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks

Skinny: Drew has a reputation for delivering the good, bad and ugly to the fantasy realm from year to year.

#13: Dee Gordon, Dodgers

Skinny: Say hello to baseball's next annual threat for 70 steals. Big upside in runs/average, too.

#12: Erick Aybar, Angels

Skinny: The speedy Aybar would be an ideal draft-day complement to a power-hitting second baseman.

#11: Jhonny Peralta, Tigers

Skinny: Peralta will have ample chances to crack the 90-RBI and .300 marks with the potent Tigers.

#10: Alexei Ramirez, White Sox

Skinny: Fantasy owners, please don't take Ramirez's across-the-board consistency for granted.

#9: J.J. Hardy, Orioles

Skinny: Hardy likely won't bash 30 homers again, but 20 HRs/70 runs/85 RBIs seems reasonable. Good thing he's entrenched as a .268 hitter.

#8: Derek Jeter, Yankees

Skinny: At 37, Jeter is a safer bet for 95 runs/.300 average than 15 homers/20 steals.

#7: Jimmy Rollins, Phillies

Skinny: Don't overextend on Draft Day for an aging talent who's no longer playing for a new contract.

#6: Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians

Skinny: Let's assume Cabrera doesn't sniff 25 HRs. But he's still a threat for 95 runs/80 RBIs/20 steals.

#5: Starlin Castro, Cubs

Skinny: This dynamic shortstop already possesses five-tool potential for a 22 year-old. A boost in HRs (13-15), steals (27-30) and runs (94-97) isn't out of the question in his third season.

#4: Elvis Andrus, Rangers

Skinny: This remarkable Ranger is a comfortable lock for 100 runs, 35 steals and .285 batting average. Gems like Andrus must be targeted in Rounds 4 and 5.

#3: Jose Reyes, Marlins

Skinny: The No. 3 shortstop has a new city, new hairdo and new partner on the left side of the infield (Hanley Ramirez). Luckily, Reyes still has the old capacity for great numbers. Targets: 9 HRs, 108 runs, 48 steals and .319 average.

#2: Hanley Ramirez, Marlins

Skinny: Hanley's move to third base will hopefully spark a midpoint return to his superb numbers from 2009-10. They should be in the ballpark of 23 HRs, 91 RBIs, 97 runs, 28 steals and a .312 average.

#1: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies

Skinny: With three straight seasons of 27-plus homers and .900 OPS, few infielders can match Tulowitzki's combination of power, speed, plate discipline and capacity for carrying teams for long stretches. Targets: 29 HRs, 104 RBIs, 86 runs, 14 steals, .306 average.