2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings - Shortstop

            Shortstop is an absolute minefield. When Ian Desmond delivers the best combination of durability and reliable production you know there is a problem. It’s a position where you can either swing for the fences and spend a high pick (or a bunch of auction cash) on Tulowitzki or Hanley, or punt the position and start a guy like Ben Zobrist.

Tier-1 = Do You Feel Lucky?

T.Tulowitzki, COL

            The ultimate fantasy lottery ticket, how much you value Tulowitzki ultimately depends on how much you value risk and reward. ESPN ranks him at fourteen while Yahoo ranks him at 25, giving you an idea of how much volatility there is in how people think of him. It goes without saying that he’s an injury risk, but in just over 90 games of worked he still finished in the top-100 in overall fantasy value last season. If you could somehow get 145 games out of him in roto, or have him healthy in September for head-to-head leagues, he could single handedly deliver you a title from the weakest position in fantasy sports. For that reason, we wouldn’t scoff at anyone who picked him in the top half of the second round.

Tier-2 = Relatively Reliable

H.Ramirez, BOS

I.Desmond, WAS

            This will likely be the last season Hanley Ramirez ever has shortstop eligibility, and it will be interesting to see if his move to the outfield helps him stay on the field for more games. Ian Desmond has been the most reliable power-speed combo player at shortstop for the last few years, and while we don’t like his potential to submarine your batting average, homers and steals from the shortstop position are a big deal.

Tier-3 = Run More Damnit

J.Reyes, TOR

            Another perpetually injured top-tier shortstop, Reyes could lead the league in runs scored setting the table for a powerful Blue Jays offense if he could stay on the field for 150 games. His lack of elite stolen base totals is what keeps him from Tier-2.

Tier-4 = Reliably Mediocre

A.Ramirez, CHW

E.Andrus, TEX

S.Castro, CHC

            Here are your low-end shortstop options that you actually won’t feel bad about slotting in as your starting shortstop. Hypothetically Castro has the highest ceiling, but it wouldn’t be shocking at all to see the Cubs trade him with all the infield talent they have coming up from the minors.

Tier-5 = Holy Shit Half of These Guys Will Be Starting in a 14-Team League

J.Rollins, LAD

B.Zobrist, OAK

J.Peralta, STL

X.Bogaerts, BOS

J.Baez, CHC 2B

D.Santana, MIN OF

A.Escobar, KC

            Here are your low-end shortstop options that will make you vomit in your mouth a little bit if you pencil them in as your starting short stop. We already covered Baez in our second base roundup. Danny Santana posted a completely unsustainable BABIP in 2014. Future Hall of Famer Xander Bogaerts (just kidding!) has shown a little promise in Spring Training defensively, and has the highest potential of anyone other than Baez in this group.

Tier-6 = Bench Dudes

A.Cabrera, TB 2B

E.Aybar, LAA

J.Segura, MIL

J.Hardy, BAL

E.Cabrera, BAL

J.Lowrie, HOU

            You’ll want at least one of these guys on your bench. Everth Cabrera is a sleeper for the Orioles (he put up some numbers in 2013 before getting popped for steroids use), and we also like Asdrubal Cabrera as a potential (Devil) Rays’ reclamation project.