MLB State of the Position 2023: Every Team's 5-Year Plan at Shortstop
The money spent on free agents the past two offseasons is a great indication of how much high-end talent there is across baseball at the shortstop position right now, with Javier Báez, Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Trevor Story, Dansby Swanson and Trea Turner all securing nine-figure paydays.
That said, some teams are better set up for current and future success at the position than others.
Ahead we've broken down each team's present and future outlook at shortstop, highlighting their current starter and their top prospect, followed by a prediction for who will start for each of the next five seasons.
Included with each top prospect is his tier ranking, based on where he slotted in Bleacher Report's 2023 farm system rankings.
Think of it as the team's five-year plan at the position.
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
Present: Nick Ahmed (Age: 32)
Ahmed is entering the final season of a four-year, $32.5 million extension and coming off a 2022 campaign in which he played just 17 games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. The two-time Gold Glove winner will be the starter as long as he's healthy, though Geraldo Perdomo is also an option after he played 148 games as a 22-year-old rookie last season.
Future: Jordan Lawlar (Tier 1)
Lawlar looks like a future superstar after hitting .303/.401/.509 with 41 extra-base hits and 39 steals in 100 games across three minor league levels in his first full professional season. The 20-year-old still has work to do on the defensive side of things after committing 29 errors in 755.1 innings at shortstop, but his offensive game has put him on the fast track.
Five-Year Prediction: Ahmed (2023), Perdomo (2024), Lawlar (2025-27)
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
Present: Vaughn Grissom (Age: 22)
The decision to let Dansby Swanson walk in free agency and not pursue any of the market's other top shortstops means that Grissom will be the guy in Atlanta going forward. He hit .291/.353/.440 for a 121 OPS+ with 11 extra-base hits in 41 games filling in for the injured Ozzie Albies at second base last year, and he will need to prove he can handle the defensive demands of shortstop. Veteran Orlando Arcia will provide depth.
Future: Ambioris Tavarez (Tier 3)
Signed for $1.5 million during the 2021 international signing period, Tavarez has a 50-hit, 55-power offensive profile and room to grow into his 6'0", 168-pound frame. The 19-year-old is a good athlete with the raw tools to stick at shortstop, but he is very much a developmental prospect.
Five-Year Prediction: Grissom (2023-27)
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
Present: Jorge Mateo (Age: 27)
This is working under the assumption that rookie Gunnar Henderson will be the everyday third baseman for the Orioles, though that is not set in stone. Mateo hit just .221 with a .267 on-base percentage last year, but he showed a nice mix of power (45 XBH) and speed (35 SB) to go along with elite defense en route to a 3.4-WAR season.
Future: Jackson Holliday (Tier 1)
The Orioles are loaded with infield prospects, and both Jordan Westburg and Joey Ortiz are likely to make their MLB debuts in 2023 and could see time at shortstop. That said, the future at the position undoubtedly belongs to Holliday, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft. The 19-year-old is likely a few seasons away from knocking on the MLB door, so Ortiz or Westburg will have a chance to bridge the gap.
Five-Year Prediction: Mateo (2023), Ortiz (2024-25), Holliday (2026-27)
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Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
Present: Trevor Story (Age: 30)
The Red Sox signed Story to a six-year, $140 million deal last offseason in part to serve as a built-in replacement at shortstop if Xander Bogaerts departed in free agency. However, the position became a glaring hole when he underwent shoulder surgery in January, and utility man Enrique Hernández is expected to start the year as the primary shortstop.
Future: Marcelo Mayer (Tier 1)
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Mayer hit .280/.399/.489 with 30 doubles, 13 home runs, 53 RBI and 17 steals in 91 games between Single-A and High-A in 2022. The 20-year-old is a better bet to stick at shortstop long-term than fellow 2021 top pick Jordan Lawlar, and he could move quickly through the minors thanks to a polished all-around game.
Five-Year Prediction: Story (2023-24), Mayer (2025-27)
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
Present: Dansby Swanson (Age: 28)
The Cubs found their long-term answer at shortstop when Swanson signed a seven-year, $177 million contract in December, which will push up-and-comer Nico Hoerner to second base. Swanson logged a 115 OPS+ with 32 doubles, 25 home runs, 96 RBI and 5.7 WAR in a career year in 2022.
Future: Cristian Hernandez (Tier 2)
Hernandez drew comparisons to "a young Alex Rodriguez and Manny Machado" in the Dominican Republic before landing a $3 million bonus as one of the top prospects on the 2021 international market. The 19-year-old hit a modest .261/.320/.357 in 175 plate appearances in his stateside debut in 2022, but he has the tools to be one of the breakout prospects of the 2023 season.
Five-Year Prediction: Swanson (2023-27)
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
Present: Tim Anderson (Age: 29)
The White Sox exercised a $12.5 million club option on Anderson for the 2023 season, and he is controllable for one more year with a $14 million club option for 2024 that should be a no-brainer. That said, if the White Sox get off to a slow start and decide to pivot to rebuilding, the two-time All-Star could be a prime trade candidate this summer.
Future: Colson Montgomery (Tier 1)
Montgomery hit .274/.381/.429 with 17 doubles, 11 home runs and 47 RBI in 96 games last season while reaching Double-A at the age of 20. The No. 22 overall pick in the 2021 draft has quickly climbed to the top of the White Sox farm system, and while he could outgrow shortstop with a 6'4", 205-pound frame that still has some projection remaining, he will be given every chance to stick there.
Five-Year Prediction: Anderson (2023-24), Montgomery (2025-27)
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
Present: Kevin Newman (Age: 29)
The Reds traded incumbent shortstop Kyle Farmer to Minnesota, then replaced him with the light-hitting Newman, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The defensive standout is little more than a placeholder, though he is controllable through the 2024 season. Former top prospect Jose Barrero is entering a make-or-break year after hitting .152/.195/.206 in 174 plate appearances last season.
Future: Edwin Arroyo (Tier 1)
The Reds have three shortstop prospects ranked inside the B/R Top 100 in Elly De La Cruz (No. 7), Noelvi Marte (No. 33) and Arroyo (No. 41), and another in the Next 50 in Matt McLain. From that group, it's Arroyo who appears to have the best chance of sticking at the position, though McLain could serve as a bridge before shifting to more of a utility role. De La Cruz (outfield) and Marte (third base) both look like better long-term fits elsewhere.
Five-Year Prediction: Newman (2023), McLain (2024), Arroyo (2025-27)
Cleveland Guardians
8 of 30
Present: Amed Rosario (Age: 27)
A top prospect in the New York Mets organization before he was flipped to Cleveland in the Francisco Lindor blockbuster, Rosario has developed into a solid everyday shortstop. He posted a 106 OPS+ with 46 extra-base hits, 18 steals and a career-high 4.2 WAR in 2022, and he could secure a major payday in free agency next offseason as the top shortstop on the market. Will that price him out of Cleveland?
Future: Brayan Rocchio (Tier 1)
The Guardians have a wealth of intriguing young middle infield talent, including Tyler Freeman (23) and Gabriel Arias (22) who could both break camp with a spot on the big league bench. However, it's Rocchio who has the best chance of developing into an everyday shortstop. The 22-year-old had a .755 OPS with 27 doubles, 18 home runs and 64 RBI in 132 games in the upper minors last year, and he could see his first MLB action in 2023.
Five-Year Prediction: Rosario (2023), Rocchio (2024-27)
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
Present: Free Agent
With last year's starting shortstop José Iglesias still looking for a new home in free agency, and no rumblings of a potential reunion, it looks like the Rockies are ready to turn the page at the position. They could still make a play to re-sign Iglesias or fellow free agent Elvis Andrus, while Alan Trejo and non-roster invitee Cole Tucker are the top in-house options outside of the team's top prospect.
Future: Ezequiel Tovar (Tier 1)
It looks like the Rockies will take a page out of the Houston Astros' book and turn shortstop over to a relatively unproven but extremely talented rookie. Tovar has long been viewed as one of the best defensive shortstop prospects in the game, and he boosted his overall profile last year by hitting .319/.387/.540 with 14 home runs in 71 games between Double-A and Triple-A. The 21-year-old made his MLB debut on Sept. 23.
Five-Year Prediction: Tovar (2023-27)
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
Present: Javier Báez (Age: 30)
Báez was the headliner of a busy winter for the Tigers last offseason, signing a six-year, $140 million deal. His first season in Detroit was a dud, as he hit .238/.278/.393 for a 93 OPS+ in 144 games. That said, he still led the team in WAR (2.5), hits (132), home runs (17), RBI (67) and runs scored (64), and he will be counted on to turn it around in Year 2.
Future: Peyton Graham (Tier 2)
Graham hit .335/.417/.640 with 20 home runs, 71 RBI and 34 steals in 67 games during his junior season at Oklahoma while also shifting from third base to shortstop defensively. That breakout season vaulted him into the second round of the 2022 draft, and while he may ultimately fit best as an offensive-minded utility player, he is currently Detroit's best shortstop prospect.
Five-Year Prediction: Báez (2023-27)
Houston Astros
11 of 30
Present: Jeremy Peña (Age: 25)
The Astros took a real risk not signing a proven replacement when Carlos Correa departed in free agency last offseason, but it paid off as Peña posted a 101 OPS+ with 20 doubles, 22 home runs and 11 steals while becoming the first rookie shortstop ever to win Gold Glove honors. His ALCS and World Series MVP wins were icing on the cake, and he now looks to be on a star trajectory.
Future: Cristian Gonzalez (Tier 3)
The Astros don't need to worry about the shortstop position for a while, and that's good because it's a thin position across the organizational ranks. Gonzalez, 21, has a strong defensive profile and flashed decent pop with 18 doubles and 10 home runs at High-A in 2022, but he hit just .227/.283/.350 with a 28.5 percent strikeout rate.
Five-Year Prediction: Peña (2023-27)
Kansas City Royals
12 of 30
Present: Bobby Witt Jr. (Age: 22)
Witt showed plenty of flashes of living up to the hype in his MLB debut, posting a 102 OPS+ with 31 doubles, 20 home runs, 80 RBI and 20 steals in 150 games while bouncing between shortstop and third base. Despite ugly defensive metrics at shortstop (-18 DRS, -8.4 UZR/150) the team plans to make that his everyday home in 2023, and the trade of Adalberto Mondesi to Boston helped unclog the infield logjam.
Future: Maikel Garcia (Tier 2)
Garcia hit .285/.359/.427 with 34 doubles, 11 home runs, 61 RBI and 39 steals in 118 games in the upper levels of the minors last season, then went 7-for-22 in a brief cup of coffee as a September call-up. The 22-year-old continued to impress with a .323/.444/.498 line across 250 plate appearances in the Venezuelan Winter League, and he could be a valuable utility infielder who makes an impact in 2023.
Five-Year Prediction: Witt Jr. (2023-27)
Los Angeles Angels
13 of 30
Present: Luis Rengifo (Age: 25)
The Angels have a variety of shortstop options, including newcomer Gio Urshela and light-hitting incumbents David Fletcher and Andrew Velazquez, but expect Rengifo to get the first crack at the starting job. He logged a 103 OPS+ with 22 doubles, 17 home runs and 52 RBI in 127 games during a breakout 2022 season, and he has three years of club control remaining.
Future: Zach Neto (Tier 1)
Neto hit .403/.500/.751 with 40 doubles, 27 home runs and 108 RBI in 100 games over three seasons at Campbell University, and the Angels made him the No. 13 overall pick in the 2022 draft. He had an .853 OPS in 167 plate appearances after signing and closed out the year at Double-A, so he could be one of the first players from his class to reach the majors. Taking over as the starter midway through the 2024 season seems like a realistic timetable.
Five-Year Prediction: Rengifo (2023-24), Neto (2025-27)
Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
Present: Gavin Lux (Age: 25)
Depending on how things play out at second base with prospects Miguel Vargas and Michael Busch, we could see a lot of Lux at second base and veteran Miguel Rojas at shortstop in 2023. That said, Lux is still the future at the position with club control through 2026 and a breakout offensive season under his belt.
Future: Joendry Vargas (Tier: N/A)
The Dodgers just signed Vargas last month as the No. 3 international prospect in the 2023 class, according to MLB.com. I don't include international signings on my Top 100 list or in my farm system rankings until they make their pro debut, but he has the five-tool potential to quickly emerge as a Tier 1 prospect and the future at shortstop.
Five-Year Prediction: Lux (2023-26), Vargas (2027)
Miami Marlins
15 of 30
Present: Joey Wendle (Age: 32)
After trading away Miguel Rojas and shifting Jazz Chisholm Jr. to center field, it looks like the Marlins will roll out a double-play combination of Luis Arráez and Joey Wendle to start the 2023 season. Wendle is a terrific defender across the infield, and he quietly tied for fifth on the team with 2.4 WAR in 2022. He will be a free agent for the first time next offseason.
Future: Yiddi Cappe (Tier 3)
The Marlins do not have a clear-cut shortstop of the future, but they do have some intriguing prospects, including 2021 first-round pick Kahlil Watson and Jacob Amaya, who was acquired from the Dodgers in the Rojas deal. The best of the bunch could be Yiddi Cappe, who signed out of Cuba for $3.5 million in 2021 and hit .290/.328/.438 in 67 games while reaching full-season ball at the age of 19. He has Top-100 prospect upside.
Five-Year Prediction: Wendle (2023), Free Agent (2024-25), Cappe (2025-27)
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
Present: Willy Adames (Age: 27)
Adames has racked up 7.9 WAR in 238 games since he was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays on May 21, 2021, and he posted a 112 OPS+ with 31 doubles, 31 home runs and 98 RBI in 2022. The big question is whether the Brewers can afford to keep him for the long term, as he'll reach free agency following the 2024 season, the same time Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff will also be free agents.
Future: Brice Turang (Tier 2)
Turang took his offensive game to another level last season at Triple-A, hitting .286/.360/.412 with 24 doubles, 13 home runs and 78 RBI in 131 games. The 23-year-old could get a long look for the starting second base job this spring, but he has played primarily shortstop in his pro career and stands as the most likely in-house replacement if Adames walks.
Five-Year Prediction: Adames (2023-24), Turang (2025-27)
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
Present: Carlos Correa (Age: 28)
After a long, winding offseason road, Correa ultimately found his way back to the Twins. His six-year, $200 million contract contains a full no-trade clause and no opt-outs this time, so he'll be the guy for the foreseeable future in Minnesota. There are also four years' worth of vesting options based on plate appearances and award voting tacked onto the end that could keep him around through the 2032 season.
Future: Brooks Lee (Tier 1)
Lee hit .357/.462/.664 with 25 doubles, 15 home runs and 55 RBI in 58 games during his junior season at Cal Poly, and he was the first college middle infielder off the board when the Twins chose him with the No. 8 overall pick. He hit .303/.389/.451 in 31 games after signing and closed out the year at Double-A, so he could see the majors in the not-too-distant future. The 21-year-old probably fits best at third base and, with Correa blocking his path at shortstop, that will likely be his future home.
Five-Year Prediction: Correa (2023-27)
New York Mets
18 of 30
Present: Francisco Lindor (Age: 29)
The Mets signed Lindor to a 10-year, $341 million extension that runs through the 2031 season after he was acquired from Cleveland, so there is little question who will be manning shortstop for them for the foreseeable future. After a less-than-stellar first season with the team, he bounced back with a 125 OPS+, 56 extra-base hits and 5.4 WAR to finish ninth in 2022 NL MVP voting.
Future: Ronny Mauricio (Tier 2)
The Mets have a pair of intriguing Tier 2 prospects at shortstop in Ronny Mauricio and 2022 first-round pick Jett Williams. Mauricio will look to build off Dominican Winter League MVP honors after a lackluster season at Double-A, while Williams profiles as a table-setter with an advanced hit tool and good speed. Both players will either shift to another position or wind up as trade bait.
Five-Year Prediction: Lindor (2023-27)
New York Yankees
19 of 30
Present: Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Age: 27)
Despite putting together a 3.0-WAR season in 2022, Kiner-Falefa was a potential non-tender candidate heading into the offseason with several young infielders knocking on the door in New York. He was ultimately brought back on a $6 million salary, but the best-case scenario would be for him to be pushed into a utility role by one of the up-and-comers.
Future: Oswald Peraza (Tier 1)
Anthony Volpe (No. 9) and Peraza (No. 36) both rank inside the top 50 on B/R's Top 100 prospect list for the upcoming season, and while Volpe has the higher overall ceiling, the consensus seems to be that Peraza is the better defensive shortstop while Volpe fits best at second base because of his average arm. After hitting .306/.404/.429 in 57 plate appearances as a September call-up, Peraza will be given every opportunity to win the starting job this spring.
Five-Year Prediction: Peraza (2023-27)
Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
Present: Nick Allen (Age: 24)
Allen signed an above-slot deal as a third-round pick in 2017 and set out to prove he had enough offensive upside to be an everyday shortstop. The 5'8" infielder hit .288/.346/.403 in 89 games in the upper levels of the minors in 2021, while also serving as the starting shortstop for Team USA in the Olympics. He batted just .207/.256/.291 over 326 plate appearances in his first MLB action, but he was still a 1.0-WAR player thanks to his glove, and he looks like the front-runner for the shortstop job in 2023.
Future: Max Muncy (Tier 2)
Muncy tallied 28 doubles, 19 home runs and 70 RBI in 123 games between Single-A and High-A in his first full professional season after going No. 25 overall in the 2021 draft. The 20-year-old also hit just .229 with 169 strikeouts and a 30.4 percent strikeout rate, so there is work to be done, but he has the potential to be an offensive standout and the shortstop of the future.
Five-Year Prediction: Allen (2023-25), Muncy (2026-27)
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
Present: Trea Turner (Age: 29)
Shortstop has been a revolving door for the Phillies since the end of the Jimmy Rollins era, with Freddy Galvis, J.P. Crawford, Jean Segura, Didi Gregorius and Bryson Stott all taking their turn as the starter. The spinning should stop now that Turner is on board after signing an 11-year, $300 million contract in free agency, and he brings his game-changing mix of batting average, power and speed to the top of an already potent lineup.
Future: William Bergolla (Tier 3)
One of the top prospects of the 2022 international class, Bergolla signed a $2.05 million bonus and immediately became the most promising shortstop prospect in the Philadelphia system. He hit .380/.470/.423 with more walks (11) than strikeouts (3) in 24 games in the Dominican Summer League, and his stateside debut will be among the most anticipated of 2023.
Five-Year Prediction: Turner (2023-27)
Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
Present: Oneil Cruz (Age: 24)
Can a 6'7" player be an everyday shortstop? Conventional wisdom says no, but Cruz has answered the call every step of the way. The young slugger has light-tower power, top-of-the-scale speed and a rocket arm. The question now is whether he can refine his overall game enough to make full use of those impressive raw tools. He had a 107 OPS+ in 361 plate appearances as a rookie, despite a 34.9 percent strikeout rate.
Future: Liover Peguero (Tier 2)
Peguero was the prospect centerpiece in the deal that sent Starling Marte to the Arizona Diamondbacks prior to the 2020 season, and he has the potential for five above-average tools if everything clicks. He hit a middling .259/.305/.387 with 22 doubles, 10 home runs and 28 steals in 121 games at Double-A last year, but he just turned 22 and is still ahead of the developmental curve.
Five-Year Prediction: Cruz (2023-27)
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
Present: Xander Bogaerts (Age: 30)
With the addition of Xander Bogaerts on an 11-year, $280 million deal, we have likely seen the last of Fernando Tatis Jr. at shortstop. To his credit, Bogaerts posted positive defensive metrics (5 DRS, 4.7 UZR/150) for the first time in his career in 2022, though he will always be an offense-first shortstop. He hit .307/.377/.456 for a 131 OPS+ and won his fifth career Silver Slugger in 2022.
Future: Jackson Merrill (Tier 1)
Merrill looked like a bit of a reach on paper when the Padres took him with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2021 draft, as he was No. 102 in Baseball America's Top 500 pre-draft prospect rankings. However, he quickly proved to be worth the "reach" by hitting .339/.395/.511 with 23 extra-base hits in 55 games in 2022. He likely shifts to second base once he arrives, with Jake Cronenworth moving to first base or filling a super-utility role.
Five-Year Prediction: Bogaerts (2023-27)
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
Present: Brandon Crawford (Age: 36)
Crawford has made 11 straight Opening Day starts at shortstop for the Giants, and No. 12 is on deck in 2023 for the final season of a two-year, $32 million deal. After arguably the best season of his career in 2021, he took a significant step backward last year and hit .231/.308/.344 for an 85 OPS+ with 0.6 WAR in 118 games. It would not be surprising to see him hang it up after the 2023 season.
Future: Marco Luciano (Tier 1)
With some of the best raw power in the minors and a plus hit tool that should allow him to make the most of it, Luciano has a superstar ceiling. The 21-year-old battled a back injury that limited him to 65 games in 2022, and he hit just .263/.339/.459 with 10 home runs in 230 plate appearances at High-A when he was able to take the field, but his elite ceiling remains.
Five-Year Prediction: Crawford (2023), Free Agent (2024), Luciano (2025-27)
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
Present: J.P. Crawford (Age: 28)
The Mariners signed Crawford to a five-year, $51 million extension last April, so he is under contract through the 2026 season. While he failed to build off the offensive gains he showed in 2021, he still finished with a 100 OPS+ and 2.8 WAR in 145 games. His salary jumps from $6 million last year to $11 million annually for the next three seasons and $12 million in 2026.
Future: Felnin Celesten (Tier: N/A)
"When you consider his tools and skills, this teenager might have the highest ceiling of any international shortstop prospect in a decade," wrote MLB.com of Celesten, who was their No. 2 international prospect in the 2023 class. "Yes, that list also includes Marco Luciano, Wander Franco and Robert Puason,"
The Mariners also have another high-level shortstop prospect in Cole Young, who was the No. 21 overall pick in the 2022 draft.
Five-Year Prediction: Crawford (2023-26), Celesten (2027)
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
Present: Tommy Edman (Age: 27)
Edman split his time evenly between second base (614.2 innings) and shortstop (622.0 innings) in 2022, racking up 6.4 WAR thanks to a 108 OPS+ and 32 stolen bases offensively and elite defense at both positions up the middle. He will likely start the year as the everyday shortstop ahead of Paul DeJong, with Brendan Donovan and Nolan Gorman vying for time at second base.
Future: Masyn Winn (Tier 1)
Winn hit .283/.364/.468 with 36 doubles, 12 home runs and 43 steals in 48 attempts while splitting his age-20 season between High-A and Double-A. He continued to impress in the Arizona Fall League with a .294 average and .407 on-base percentage in 20 games, and he could be in St. Louis sooner than expected after being taken in the second round of the 2020 draft.
Five-Year Prediction: Edman (2023-24), Winn (2025-27)
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
Present: Wander Franco (Age: 21)
Franco has played essentially one full season in the big leagues with 153 games under his belt, and during that time, he's hit .282/.337/.439 for a 122 OPS+ with 38 doubles, 13 home runs, 72 RBI, 99 runs scored and 6.1 WAR. Anyone disappointed by the way he has started his MLB career was likely also quick to write Vladimir Guerrero Jr. off as a bust when he didn't immediately post MVP-caliber numbers. Patience, folks.
Future: Carson Williams (Tier 1)
Williams filled up the stat sheet in 2022 with 22 doubles, 10 triples, 19 home runs, 70 RBI, 81 runs scored and 28 steals in 113 games at Single-A. The 2021 first-round pick also struck out 168 times for a 31.6 percent strikeout rate, so there is work to do refining his approach, but there's a lot to like about the raw tools.
Five-Year Prediction: Franco (2023-27)
Texas Rangers
28 of 30
Present: Corey Seager (Age: 28)
Seager led all shortstops with 33 home runs in the first season of a massive 10-year, $325 million deal with the Rangers, and he also stayed healthy enough to reach 150 games played for just the second time in his career. A shift to third base might be necessary at some point if he loses a step, but for now, he is one of baseball's top-tier shortstops.
Future: Luisangel Acuña (Tier 3)
The younger brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. hit .277/.369/.426 with 16 doubles, 11 home runs and 40 steals in 91 games between High-A and Double-A. He is athletic enough to play all over the field, and versatility might be the key to reaching the big leagues with a firmly entrenched double-play tandem in place at the MLB level.
Five-Year Prediction: Seager (2023-27)
Toronto Blue Jays
29 of 30
Present: Bo Bichette (Age: 24)
Bichette is controllable through 2025 and stands as an obvious extension candidate for Toronto. Our prediction that he is still manning shortstop in 2026 and 2027 is assuming a long-term deal is worked out before he hits the open market. He remains a below-average defender at shortstop, but he makes up for it at the plate as he had a 127 OPS+ with 43 doubles, 24 home runs and 93 RBI in a 3.6-WAR season in 2022.
Future: Addison Barger (Tier 2)
A sixth-round pick in 2018, Barger sent his prospect stock soaring last season when he hit .308/.378/.555 with 33 doubles, 26 home runs and 91 RBI across three minor league levels. The 23-year-old could be the long-term answer at third base if Matt Chapman walks in free agency next offseason, assuming Bichette continues to block his path.
Five-Year Prediction: Bichette (2023-27)
Washington Nationals
30 of 30
Present: CJ Abrams (Age: 22)
Abrams began the 2022 season as the No. 9 prospect in all of baseball, and while he struggled in his first taste of the big leagues, he still has tremendous upside. The Nationals acquired him in the Juan Soto blockbuster and ran him out as their everyday shortstop over the final two months, and he should have a long leash in 2023 on a rebuilding club.
Future: Brady House (Tier 2)
With a strong 6'4", 215-pound frame, House looks more like a power-hitting third baseman than a shortstop, and that could be where he settles in the long term. For now, he has played exclusively shortstop as a pro, and his main focus is getting fully healthy after a nagging back injury limited him to 45 games in 2022.
Five-Year Prediction: Abrams (2023-27)
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs
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