Ranking Every MLB Team's Starting Shortstop for the 2024 Season
Welcome to Bleacher Report's 2024 MLB position rankings series!
With the beginning of a new baseball season right around the corner, we'll be ranking each team's starter at every position in the coming weeks to provide a full position-by-position preview for the 2024 campaign.
Established superstars Francisco Lindor (NYM), Corey Seager (TEX) and Trea Turner (PHI) represent the cream of the crop at the position, while rising star Bobby Witt Jr. (KC) is on the cusp of joining that group and Bo Bichette (TOR) also belongs in the top-tier conversation.
Young shortstops like Anthony Volpe (NYY), Ezequiel Tovar (COL), Elly De La Cruz (CIN) and Zach Neto (LAA) established themselves as the future at shortstop for their respective teams, and the next wave of 2024 rookies that includes Jackson Holliday (BAL), Masyn Winn (STL) and Marco Luciano (SF) will now look to do the same.
Players were ranked based on expectations for the 2024 season. Offensive and defensive contributions were both considered, and past track record played a major role in determining each player's outlook.
Included on each slide is also a look at the next man up at shortstop. This is who would take over as the starter if the current starter were to miss significant time. In some cases, it's a minor leaguer or bench player, and in others, it's a starter moving over from a different position.
Let the debate begin!
30. Darell Hernaiz, Oakland Athletics
1 of 30
Next Man Up: Nick Allen
The Oakland Athletics used Nick Allen (91 starts) and Aledmys Díaz (31 starts as the team's primary options at shortstop in 2023, and both players are back competing for playing time once again this spring.
However, they will need to hold off prospect Darell Hernaiz, who was added to the 40-man roster during the offseason following a terrific season in the upper levels of the minors where he hit .321/.386/.456 with 45 extra-base hits in 131 games.
Given the success guys like Jeremy Peña, Anthony Volpe and Ezequiel Tovar have found in recent years breaking camp as the Opening Day shortstop despite no prior MLB experience, Hernaiz could play his way into the starting job this spring.
29. Paul DeJong, Chicago White Sox
2 of 30
Next Man Up: Nicky Lopez
An All-Star in 2019 when he launched 30 home runs and played stellar defense on his way to a 5.3-WAR season, Paul DeJong is looking to resurrect his career after signing a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the Chicago White Sox.
Still only 30 years old, he tallied 13 home runs in 306 plate appearances with the St. Louis Cardinals in a resurgent season of sorts before closing out the year with the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants.
He has a chance to play his way into being a trade chip at the deadline once again, and with 12.7 WAR over seven seasons in the big leagues, he is capable of more than he has shown the last few seasons.
28. Gabriel Arias, Cleveland Guardians
3 of 30
Next Man Up: Brayan Rocchio
The Cleveland Guardians have one of the more interesting position battles at shortstop this spring, with incumbent Gabriel Arias trying to hold off top prospect Brayan Rocchio after Amed Rosario served as the starter for the bulk of the past three seasons.
Arias, 23, was one of the five players acquired from the San Diego Padres at the 2020 trade deadline in exchange for Mike Clevinger.
He hit .210/.275/.352 for a 75 OPS+ with 15 doubles, 10 home runs and 26 RBI in 345 plate appearances last season, and his above-average defense (402.0 INN, 0 DRS, 5.4 UZR/150) should earn him a month or two to keep the position warm until Rocchio gets the call.
27. José Caballero, Tampa Bay Rays
4 of 30
Next Man Up: Amed Rosario
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired José Caballero from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for slugger Luke Raley, and with Wander Franco unlikely to see the field any time soon if ever again amid an ongoing investigation into his relationships with underage girls, he is the favorite to break camp as the starting shortstop.
Caballero played in 104 games as a 26-year-old rookie last season, tallying just 280 plate appearances but making a significant impact defensively with strong defensive metrics at second base (467.0 INN, 7 DRS) and shortstop (132.1 INN, 4 DRS) en route to a 2.4-WAR season.
The Rays signed Amed Rosario to a one-year, $1.5 million contract earlier this month, but Caballero is still viewed as the favorite to start.
26. Javier Báez, Detroit Tigers
5 of 30
Next Man Up: Zach McKinstry
Two seasons into a six-year, $140 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, Javier Báez is a shell of the player who made back-to-back All-Star appearances and finished runner-up in 2018 NL All-Star voting during his time with the Chicago Cubs.
The 31-year-old has hit .230/.273/.361 for a 77 OPS+ over 1,137 plate appearances during his time in Detroit, and he has also not been the same dynamic defensive player with below-average range metrics in 2022 and 2023.
His age, previous track record and contract all mean he will be given every opportunity to bounce back, and if the Tigers are serious about making a push toward contention, he will be an important piece of the puzzle.
25. Tim Anderson, Miami Marlins
6 of 30
Next Man Up: Jon Berti
Tim Anderson was quite literally the worst offensive player in baseball last season, posting a 60 OPS+ that ranked dead last out of the 134 hitters who logged enough at-bats to qualify for the batting title.
However, during the four-year span from 2019 when he won the AL batting title through the 2022 season, he hit .318/.347/.474 for a 122 OPS+ while earning a pair of All-Star selections, winning a Silver Slugger and racking up 12.5 WAR in 374 games.
He could end up being the steal of the offseason on the one-year, $5 million deal he signed with the Miami Marlins, but he has a lot to prove after a truly awful 2023.
24. Marco Luciano, San Francisco Giants
7 of 30
Next Man Up: Casey Schmitt
For the first time since the 2011 season, it will be someone other than Brandon Crawford manning the shortstop position for the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day.
Marco Luciano has been viewed as the heir apparent since he inked a $2.6 million bonus as one of the top players in the 2018 international class, and he has been a consensus Top 100 prospect throughout his time rising the ranks in the farm system.
The 22-year-old hit .231/.333/.308 for an 80 OPS+ with three doubles in 45 plate appearances in his first MLB action last season, and he still needs to prove he can handle the defensive demands of the position.
23. Masyn Winn, St. Louis Cardinals
8 of 30
Next Man Up: Tommy Edman
Can Masyn Winn hit enough to be an everyday shortstop in the big leagues?
That's the question the St. Louis Cardinals face this spring as they look to turn the position over to one of their top prospects, and while there is no question Winn has the defensive chops to make a major impact, his bat remains unproven after a disappointing debut.
The 21-year-old hit .172/.230/.238 with four extra-base hits in 137 plate appearances last season after making his MLB debut on Aug. 18. His results were much more promising at Triple-A prior to his promotion, as he hit .288/.359/.474 with 18 home runs and 61 RBI in 105 games.
If the Cardinals decide Winn needs more development time, Tommy Edman will shift back in from center field and Dylan Carlson will move into the starting lineup.
22. Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels
9 of 30
Next Man Up: Luis Rengifo
Zach Neto was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2022 draft following a stellar career at Campbell University, and after just 48 games in the minors, he became the first player from his draft class to reach the majors on April 15, 2023.
Back and oblique injuries limited him to just 84 games as a rookie, and he hit .225/.308/.377 for an 86 OPS+ with 17 doubles, nine home runs and 34 RBI while playing strong defense in a 1.6-WAR season.
The 23-year-old could take a significant step forward with a clean bill of health and the valuable experience he gained last season.
21. Geraldo Perdomo, Arizona Diamondbacks
10 of 30
Next Man Up: Jordan Lawlar
It's difficult to slot Geraldo Perdomo any higher in the rankings after the way he finished the 2023 season, though it did start on a high note with his first career All-Star selection.
- 1st Half: 274 PA, .271/.378/.409, 20 XBH, 13.5 BB%, 16.4 K%
- 2nd Half: 221 PA, .214/.322/.297, 10 XBH, 12.2 BB%, 18.6 K%
His batted-ball metrics were also alarming, as he ranked near the bottom of the league in hard-hit rate (19.5%, 1st percentile), average exit velocity (85.7 mph, 3rd percentile) and expected batting average (.204, 2nd percentile).
The 24-year-old will be the Opening Day starter, but if he struggles early, top prospect Jordan Lawlar could get the call in short order.
20. Orlando Arcia, Atlanta Braves
11 of 30
Next Man Up: David Fletcher
Similar to Geraldo Perdomo, veteran Orlando Arcia earned a surprise All-Star selection with a strong first half before taking a significant step backward during the second half.
- 1st Half: 264 PA, .294/.345/.425, .348 BABIP
- 2nd Half: 269 PA, .235/.297/.416, .254 BABIP
However, unlike the D-backs who have Jordan Lawlar waiting in the wings, the Braves do not have a clear replacement if Arcia struggles to produce after both Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake were traded during the offseason.
Arcia, 29, is signed to a team-friendly three-year, $7.3 million deal that also includes a $2 million club option and $1 million buyout for 2026.
19. Jackson Holliday, Baltimore Orioles
12 of 30
Next Man Up: Jorge Mateo
It's tough to rank Jackson Holliday any higher than this until he proves himself in the majors, but it's also not out of the realm of possibility to think he could slot comfortably into the top 10 in these rankings by season's end.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft crushed minor league pitching in his first full professional season last year, hitting .323/.442/.499 with 30 doubles, nine triples, 12 home runs, 75 RBI, 113 runs scored and 24 steals in 125 games across four minor league levels.
The 20-year-old also tallied 101 walks and a 17.4 percent walk rate, which speaks to his advanced approach at the plate. Even if he starts the year in the minors, he will be the guy in Baltimore before the All-Star break.
18. Gavin Lux, Los Angeles Dodgers
13 of 30
Next Man Up: Miguel Rojas
Gavin Lux missed the entire 2023 season after suffering a torn ACL during spring training, but the shortstop position is still there waiting for him after the Dodgers spent last year piecing things together with a combination of Miguel Rojas, Chris Taylor, Mookie Betts and deadline rentals Amed Rosario and Enrique Hernández.
Lux, 26, enjoyed a breakout season as the team's starting second baseman in 2022, hitting .276/.346/.399 for a 109 OPS+ with 33 extra-base hits and 2.5 WAR in 129 games.
The No. 20 overall pick in the 2016 draft had some huge offensive seasons in the minors, and he is still capable of another step forward relative to those 2022 numbers.
17. Trevor Story, Boston Red Sox
14 of 30
Next Man Up: Marcelo Mayer
Coming off an injury-shortened season in which shoulder surgery limited him to only 43 games, Trevor Story was the most difficult player to slot in these rankings.
He hit just .203/.250/.316 with three home runs in 168 plate appearances once he finally made his 2023 debut on Aug. 8, and the first season of his six-year, $140 million contract in 2022 was not quite up to his usual level of production as well.
Can he prove he is still capable of producing at the level that made him a two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner during his time with the Colorado Rockies?
16. Ezequiel Tovar, Colorado Rockies
15 of 30
Next Man Up: Alan Trejo
After only 80 games played above the High-A level, including a nine-game audition as a September call-up in 2022, the Colorado Rockies made Ezequiel Tovar the everyday shortstop heading into the 2023 campaign.
The 22-year-old held his own as one of the youngest regulars in the big leagues, hitting .253/.287/.408 for a 77 OPS+ with 37 doubles, 15 home runs, 73 RBI, 79 runs scored and 11 steals while making 152 starts at shortstop.
While he still has plenty of room to improve offensively, specifically from a plate discipline standpoint, he made an immediate impact defensively (13 DRS, 1.8 UZR/150). His stellar glovework was the driving force behind a 2.5-WAR season.
15. Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates
16 of 30
Next Man Up: Liover Peguero
Oneil Cruz was a popular breakout candidate heading into the 2023 season after showcasing his electric skill set as a rookie in 2022 when he posted a 108 OPS+ with 17 home runs, 10 steals and 2.3 WAR in 87 games.
Instead, he played just nine games before suffering a fractured left fibula in a home plate collision that ended his season in early April.
The 25-year-old has a chance to develop into the face of the franchise in Pittsburgh with a rare mix of power, speed and athleticism, but he also showed he still has work to do during his rookie season when he struck out 126 times in 361 plate appearances.
14. Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds
17 of 30
Next Man Up: Matt McLain
The Cincinnati Reds were 27-33 when Elly De La Cruz made his MLB debut on June 6, and they promptly went 14-2 in their next 16 games as his arrival in the big leagues jump-started a young club on the rise.
The 22-year-old dealt with some growing pains over the course of his first season in the big leagues, hitting .235/.300/.410 for an 89 OPS+ with 15 doubles, 13 home runs, 44 RBI and 35 steals in 98 games.
He will have to significantly reduce his 33.7 percent strikeout rate to fully realize his superstar potential, but he is capable of impacting the game in a wide variety of ways from his light-tower power to his top-of-the-scale speed to his quick-twitch athleticism on defense.
13. Anthony Volpe, New York Yankees
18 of 30
Next Man Up: Oswald Peraza
Here's a full list of every shortstop in MLB history with a 20-homer, 20-steal rookie season:
- Nomar Garciaparra (1997)
- Bobby Witt Jr. (2022)
- Anthony Volpe (2023)
The 22-year-old Volpe was also just the second rookie shortstop ever to win Gold Glove honors, and he graded out as one of the most valuable base runners in the league, showing he is capable of contributing in a wide variety of ways.
His .209/.283/.383 line and 27.8 percent strikeout rate provide ample room for improvement at the plate, but he was already a 3.3-WAR player even with those numbers.
12. CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals
19 of 30
Next Man Up: Ildemaro Vargas
CJ Abrams peaked as the No. 9 prospect in baseball heading into the 2022 season, and later that summer he was traded to the Washington Nationals as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres.
The rebuilding Nationals gave him a long runway to establish himself as the shortstop of the present and future in 2023, and while he started slow, he posted a .734 OPS with 11 home runs and 33 steals in 70 games after the All-Star break.
All told, he hit .245/.300/.412 for a 95 OPS+ with 28 doubles, 18 home runs, 64 RBI, 83 runs scored and 43 steals in a 3.4-WAR season, providing strong defensive metrics (4 DRS, 3.7 UZR/150) along with his mix of power and speed.
His arrow is pointing up heading into 2024.
11. Willy Adames, Milwaukee Brewers
20 of 30
Next Man Up: Joey Ortiz
Who would have guessed Willy Adames would still be wearing a Milwaukee Brewers uniform to begin the 2024 season?
After an offseason of rumors that saw the team trade away ace Corbin Burnes, it looked like a foregone conclusion that Adames would be moved ahead of his final year of team control, but instead he will return for an important contract year that will determine his earning power next winter.
The 28-year-old has slugged 75 home runs in 387 games with the Brewers, and after a 24-homer, 80-RBI, 3.0-WAR season last year he will look to improve on a middling .217/.310/.407 batting line and 95 OPS+ while keeping shortstop warm for newly acquired Joey Ortiz.
10. Jeremy Peña, Houston Astros
21 of 30
Next Man Up: Mauricio Dubón
Jeremy Peña had a memorable rookie season in 2022, posting a 102 OPS+ with 22 home runs, 63 RBI and 4.9 WAR during the regular season before winning ALCS and World Series MVP honors in the postseason and then becoming the first rookie shortstop ever to win a Gold Glove.
His encore performance fell a bit flat by comparison, but he was still a 3.8-WAR player who provided elite-level defense while hitting .263/.324/.381 with 32 doubles, 10 home runs, 52 RBI and 13 steals in 150 games.
Beneath the surface of those numbers, he made marked improvements to his walk rate (3.9 to 6.8 percent) and strikeout rate (24.2 to 20.3 percent), which bodes well for his continued development heading into his age-26 season.
9. J.P. Crawford, Seattle Mariners
22 of 30
Next Man Up: Luis Urías
J.P. Crawford finally had the type of season many were predicting would be a common occurrence when he was a fast-rising shortstop in the Philadelphia Phillies farm system and one of baseball's top overall prospects.
The 29-year-old hit .266/.380/.438 for a 131 OPS+ with 36 doubles, 19 home runs, 65 RBI, 94 runs scored and an AL-leading 94 walks in a 5.1-WAR season, garnering some down-ballot AL MVP support.
The five-year, $51 million extension he signed prior to the 2022 season now looks like one of the biggest bargains in baseball, and he will earn a combined $34 million over the final three years of that deal.
8. Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins
23 of 30
Next Man Up: Kyle Farmer
In the first season of a new six-year, $200 million contract with the Minnesota Twins, Carlos Correa fell flat, hitting .230/.312/.399 for a 94 OPS+ with 29 doubles, 18 home runs and 65 RBI In 135 games.
The 29-year-old showed the type of impact he is capable of making when he went 9-for-22 with three doubles and four RBI during the team's six playoff games, and with 40.9 WAR under his belt through nine seasons he has a long track record of impact performance.
He was a 5.5-WAR player in 2022 and logged an AL-leading 7.2 WAR in his final season with the Houston Astros in 2021, so there is plenty of reason to believe a bounce-back performance is coming.
7. Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs
24 of 30
Next Man Up: Nico Hoerner
The Chicago Cubs made a splash in free agency last offseason when they signed Dansby Swanson to a seven-year, $177 million deal, and he joined Nico Hoerner to form arguably the best defensive middle infield in baseball last year.
Swanson went on to win his second straight NL Gold Glove while hitting .244/.328/.416 with 25 doubles, 22 home runs and 80 RBI, outperforming fellow high-profile free agents Carlos Correa and Xander Bogaerts who both signed for more money.
With his elite defensive contributions, Swanson only needs to provide league-average production at the plate to be one of baseball's best shortstops.
6. Ha-Seong Kim, San Diego Padres
25 of 30
Next Man Up: Xander Bogaerts
The San Diego Padres announced earlier this month that Xander Bogaerts will be shifting to second base, while Ha-Seong Kim takes over as the team's starting shortstop in the final season of his contract.
Kim, 28, has made significant improvements in each of his first three seasons in the big leagues following a standout KBO career, and he stands to earn himself a huge payday entering the final season of a four-year, $28 million deal.
He hit .260/.351/.398 for a 110 OPS+ with 23 doubles, 17 home runs and 60 RBI in a 5.8-WAR season last year, winning utility player Gold Glove honors while starting double-digit games at second base (98), third base (29) and shortstop (16).
5. Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays
26 of 30
Next Man Up: Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Bo Bichette has racked up 555 hits over the past three seasons, more than any other American Leaguer and behind only Freddie Freeman (590) and Trea Turner (559) among all players.
The 25-year-old hit .298/.339/.476 for a 124 OPS+ while averaging 34 doubles, 24 home runs, 89 RBI, 94 runs scored, 14 steals and 4.8 WAR, and he made a pair of All-Star appearances while earning MVP votes all three years during that stretch.
That said, the biggest improvements to his game in 2023 came on the defensive side, where he went from a complete liability (-16 DRS, -27.6 UZR/150) to a legitimate asset (5 DRS, 4.6 UZR/150), erasing the long-standing question of whether he will shift to another position.
4. Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals
27 of 30
Next Man Up: Garrett Hampson
Bobby Witt Jr. became just the second rookie shortstop in MLB history with a 20/20 season in 2022 when he posted a 102 OPS+ with 20 home runs and 30 steals, though a middling .294 on-base percentage and poor defense made him just a 0.9-WAR player.
The 23-year-old took a significant step forward in his second season, hitting .276/.319/.495 for a 120 OPS+ with 28 doubles, 11 triples, 30 home runs, 96 RBI, 97 runs scored and 49 steals in a 4.4-WAR season.
The Royals rewarded him with an 11-year, $288 million extension earlier this month, and they now have a true face of the franchise to build around.
3. Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies
28 of 30
Next Man Up: Bryson Stott
It looked like the Philadelphia Phillies might have made a $300 million mistake when Trea Turner hit just .247/.299/.389 in 88 games during the first half of his debut season with the team.
Those struggles continued through July, but he eventually caught fire at the plate and hit .317/.371/.629 with 14 doubles, 16 home runs and 42 RBI in 224 plate appearances over the final two months of the 2023 campaign.
In the end, he finished with a 111 OPS+ and 66 extra-base hits in a 3.4-WAR season despite the slow start, proving why he is one of the best shortstops in the game.
2. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets
29 of 30
Next Man Up: Joey Wendle
After a lackluster debut with the New York Mets in 2021, Francisco Lindor has tallied 11.5 WAR over the past two seasons, and he has a chance to go down as one of the greatest players in franchise history by the time his 10-year, $341 million contract comes to an end.
He posted a 120 OPS+ with 33 doubles, 31 home runs, 98 RBI, 108 runs scored, 31 steals and 6.0 WAR last season, finishing ninth in NL MVP voting and winning his third career Silver Slugger Award.
The 30-year-old is the face of the franchise for the Mets, and it will be interesting to see how rising prospects like Luisangel Acuña, Jett Williams, Ronny Mauricio and Colin Houck fit into the team's long-term plans with him clearly blocking their path.
1. Corey Seager, Texas Rangers
30 of 30
Next Man Up: Ezequiel Durán
Corey Seager hit .327/.390/.623 with 42 doubles, 33 home runs and 96 RBI last season, and he did all of that in only 119 games while battling hamstring and thumb injuries. Even with the time he missed, he finished second in AL MVP voting, and he was just getting started.
The 29-year-old went on to hit .318/.451/.682 with six doubles, six home runs and 12 RBI in 17 games during the Texas Rangers run to a World Series title, and in the process became just the fourth player in MLB history to win World Series MVP honors twice in his career.
Outside of Shohei Ohtani, there is a strong case to be made that he was the best player in baseball in 2023, and he enters the 2024 season as one of the game's true top-tier superstar talents.
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