Ranking the MLB American League Central Shortstops

Some of the best shortstops in the American League reside in the Central, so I thought we'd take a closer look at the position.

The Central has a wide variety of shortstops; some who hit for power, others who hit for average, and some who are great defenders.

These rankings are only based on how the players have performed so far this year.  Past accomplishments are not taken into account.

5. Tsuyoshi Nishioka (Twins)

The Twins had high hopes for Nishioka when they brought him over from Japan in the offseason, but it just simply hasn't worked out so far.  On April 7, he broke his left fibula while trying to turn a double play.  After missing 59 games, he finally returned to the lineup on June 16.

It would be an understatement to say that this season has been a disaster for Nishioka.  Even when healthy, he has done absolutely nothing offensively, hitting .197 with no homers and only five RBIs.

Even though he has only played in 21 games this year, he has still managed to commit four errors.  If the offensive production doesn't pick up soon, Ron Gardenhire will have no choice but to bench him and find somebody new at shortstop.

4. Alcides Escobar (Royals)

The Milwaukee Brewers once had high hopes for Alcides Escobar, as he once was one of the highest rated prospects in baseball.  The offensive production just never came and the Brewers finally let him go, trading him to the Royals in the Zack Greinke deal.

This season hasn't been much different for Escobar.  He is hitting for absolutely no power with only one homerun, and isn't hitting for average either, as he is currently batting .251.  However, it looks like Kansas City is 100 percent committed to him, as he is the only Royal to play in all 83 of their games so far this year.

If he could live up to the expectations that the Brewers once had for him he could be one of the best shortstops in the game.  However, it looks like he is nowhere near that level—he has just not progressed at all throughout his career.

The Royals thought they were getting an upgrade at shortstop when they traded for Escobar, but it actually looks like a downgrade. Their former shortstop, Yuniesky Betancourt, is actually having the better year of the two.

It will be interesting to see if Escobar can ever live up to his potential.  The Royals will certainly give him plenty of time, but if he keeps playing like this, he will eventually become a career backup.

3. Alexei Ramirez (White Sox)

Alexei Ramirez has quietly turned into one of the best shortstops in the American League.  He gets nowhere near the attention he deserves, but year after year he hits for average and a decent amount of power.  He has been good ever since he put on a White Sox uniform, as he almost won Rookie of the Year in 2008.

Every year he has been in the Majors, he has hit at least .277 with no fewer than 15 homeruns and 68 RBIs.  He is currently on pace to either meet or exceed all of those numbers.  His consistency has actually been pretty amazing, seeing as how very few hitters are consistent nowadays.

Some believe that Ramirez is the player he is today because of veteran Omar Vizquel, who almost acts as a mentor to Chicago's young infield while also serving as a backup infielder.

As long as he keeps it up, he will be a threat at the top of the White Sox lineup for years to come.

2. Asdrubal Cabrera (Indians)

Asdrubal Cabrera has been a huge reason for Cleveland's surprising success this year, as he has been their biggest offensive threat.  He is easily having the best year of his young career, hitting for both power and average.  Not only has his offense been great, but so has his defense, as he has only committed five errors.

It's not too surprising that he is hitting for average, but the power surge has been a shock, as he already has 14 homeruns.

If not for his big hits and late game heroics this year, there is almost no way the Indians would be in first place.  He has certainly been the key piece to their offense this year.

If these are signs of the player he is becoming, the Indians will have a franchise shortstop for years to come, and one of the best shortstops in the game.

1. Jhonny Peralta (Tigers)

Everyone around baseball and in the media thinks Asdrubal Cabrera is easily the best shortstop in the AL Central...but why?  Peralta's number are equal to, if not better, than Cabrera's.  Here is a list of offensive categories that Peralta has better statistics in: batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS.  If you're wondering about homeruns, the two are tied with 14.  

As you can see, Peralta's statistics are slightly better than Cabrera's.  Not only does Peralta have better offensive numbers, but he has also comitted fewer errors than Cabrera has.  Amazingly, Jhonny has only committed four errors the entire year.

Cleveland dumped Peralta at the trade deadline last year, as his offensive numbers had been declining with Cleveland.  However, he is having a resurgent year, and is arguably playing the best he ever has.