Fantasy Baseball 2012: Ranking the Top 15 Shortstops

Spring training is just around the corner and that means it's time to start looking at your 2012 fantasy baseball team.

While players like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and Jose Bautista will be some of the biggest names, there are plenty of power hitters in the game. What there is a shortage of is shortstops who are offensive threats.

Just think, if you miss out on Pujols, there are plenty of other power-hitting first basemen you can still pick up. But if you don't get an elite shortstop, then you're left with little production at the position. By snagging a top shortstop early on, you fill an often overlooked hole and you still have the opportunity to nab a slugger.

So let's take a look at the top 15 fantasy shortstops for 2012.

15. Stephen Drew, Arizona Diamondbacks

Stephen Drew has lacked consistently throughout his career but his potential makes him very intriguing. 

Last season, Drew only played in 86 games due to injury and hit .252 with 45 RBI and 44 runs. But if Drew can live up to his potential and be a .290 hitter with 65 RBI and 80 runs, he could be a great fantasy pickup. Playing a full season on the much-improved Diamondbacks should help his stats.

14. Yunel Escobar, Toronto Blue Jays

Yunel Escobar will score a lot of runs in 2012 thanks to the Toronto Blue Jays' offense.

In 2011, he scored 77 while hitting .290, and he should be able to produce the same next season. If the Blue Jays can pick up another bat, or if Brett Lawrie blossoms into the player they want him to be, Escobar could have even better numbers in 2012.

13. Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox

Alexei Ramirez could suffer in 2012 because of the bad lineup around him on the South Side, but he is still a very good option at shortstop.

Ramirez hit .269 with 15 home runs, 81 RBI and 70 runs. Look for more of the same from him next season.

12. Derek Jeter, New York Yankees

Derek Jeter's power may be leaving with his age but he is still a great hitter.

Last season, Jeter hit .297 and scored 84 runs and 61 RBI. He can still run a bit, shown by his 16 stolen bases.

With a powerful Yankee lineup batting behind him, his numbers should be just as solid in 2012—assuming his age doesn't completely catch up with him.

11. Erick Aybar, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Erick Aybar should be able to build off of a solid 2011 in a big way. How? 

Albert Pujols.

Aybar will be batting in front of Pujols and that should increase Aybar's runs total significantly. In 2011 he only hit .278 but he stole 30 bases and crossed home plate 71 times. All of those numbers should increase in 2012.

10. Dee Gordon, Los Angeles Dodgers

This is a very high spot for a young and inexperienced player like Dee Gordon but he possesses the ability to be a very good player.

Last season he hit .304 with 34 runs and 24 stolen bases in only 56 games as he was in and out of the Dodgers' lineup.

But Gordon has the potential to steal over 40 bases and score around 85 runs in a full season, especially since he will be batting leadoff for the Dodgers, in front of players like Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. He could be the biggest steal on the list.

9. J.J. Hardy, Baltimore Orioles

J.J. Hardy has the ability to hit at least .270 with 25 home runs and 75 RBI. But can he do it consistently? 

In 2011, he put up numbers very close to those, if not better. As he becomes more comfortable in Baltimore during his second season there, I think he can play just as well.

8. Jhonny Peralta, Detroit Tigers

Jhonny Peralta isn't great, but he's consistent.

In 2011, Peralta hit .299 with 21 home runs and 86 RBI. If he can keep that up in 2012, he could be a definite steal at the shortstop position. Peralta also has one of the best gloves at the position, finishing behind only Troy Tulowitzki and J.J. Hardy in shortstop fielding percentage. 

7. Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies

Even though Jimmy Rollins' numbers have been decreasing in recent years, he is still a very good shortstop.

In 2011, Rollins hit .268 with 30 stolen bases, 87 runs and 16 home runs. If he can stay healthy again in 2012, the 33-year-old shouldn't tail off too much in his production. 

6. Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland Indians

Asdrubal Cabrera arguably had the best season of his career in 2011 when he hit .273 with 92 RBI, 25 home runs and 87 runs.

He might not be able to keep the power numbers up but there is no denying that he is a very good hitter who is entering his prime. Cabrera will be relied upon offensively in Cleveland so look for another good year from him in 2012.

5. Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers

Elvis Andrus is only 23 years old and has been a major contributor to the Texas Rangers' two consecutive World Series appearances.

Last season, Andrus broke out with 96 runs and 60 RBI. He needs to work on his defense, but that isn't an issue if you're in a league that doesn't take fielding into account. Add Andrus' speed to the equation and he is a special player who still has a very high ceiling. Expect an even better 2012.

4. Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs

Starlin Castro has arguably the most upside out of anyone on this list. 

At the age of only 21, he hit .307 with 66 RBI, 91 runs and 20 stolen bases in 2011. A year much like that can be expected from Castro this season as he is only getting better with experience. 

The only word of caution with the young Cub is that he is terrible defensively—the worst out of any qualified shortstop. If you're playing in an expanded league that takes defense and errors into account, Castro definitely drops a couple spots.

3. Jose Reyes, Miami Marlins

Jose Reyes is the new starting shortstop for the Miami Marlins, and he is one of the best leadoff hitters in the game today.

In his final season with the New York Mets last year, he hit a league-high .337 and stole 39 bases to go along with his 101 runs in 126 games.

Assuming he can stay healthy in 2012, his average will likely drop closer to .300 even but his runs and stolen bases will jump—especially with the Marlins' offense behind him and not the Mets'.

2. Hanley Ramirez, Miami Marlins

Hanley Ramirez is slated to move to third base this season thanks to the arrival of Jose Reyes. But he is still eligible as a shortstop in fantasy baseball.

He had a down year in 2011, only batting .243 with 55 runs and 45 RBI in 92 games, but he is too good of a player to do the same in 2012. 

Expect numbers around .290 with 30 stolen bases and both his RBI and runs in the 80s thanks to the improved lineup around him.

1. Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies

Hands down, Troy Tulowitzki is the best shortstop in the game today. And that makes him the best fantasy shortstop as well.

Tulo hit .302 with 30 home runs and 105 RBI last season and there's no reason he shouldn't again. He has very consistent numbers both at home and away from Coors Field, just showing that he is a legitimate hitter. He's also a stud with his glove so there is no need to worry about him in expanded leagues.

Expect another great season from the former Long Beach State Dirtbag as he should be just as good, if not better, than he was in 2011.