Shortstop is a position that does have some depth to it this season, though that doesn’t mean that there is always value there. While they have talent, does it make sense to use an early round draft pick on someone like Elvis Andrus or Asdrubal Cabrera? Just because they have skill doesn’t mean that they are players to target. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how my rankings currently stand:
- Troy Tulowitzki – Colorado Rockies
- Hanley Ramirez – Miami Marlins
- Jose Reyes – Miami Marlins
- Starlin Castro – Chicago Cubs
- Asdrubal Cabrera – Cleveland Indians
- Elvis Andrus – Texas Rangers
- Jimmy Rollins – Philadelphia Phillies
- Alexei Ramirez – Chicago White Sox
- Dee Gordon – Los Angeles Dodgers
- Erick Aybar – Los Angeles Angels
- Derek Jeter – New York Yankees
- J.J. Hardy – Baltimore Orioles
- Emilio Bonifacio – Miami Marlins
- Yunel Escobar – Toronto Blue Jays
- Jhonny Peralta – Detroit Tigers
Thoughts:
- I am one of Elvis Andrus’ biggest fans, but the infatuation with him as gotten a little bit out of control (to the point that I don’t own him in any league this season). I know he has plenty of speed, but is it really enough to justify a 44.05 ADP (according to Mock Draft Central)? He’s a career .271 hitter with very little power and has never stolen more than 37 bases in a season. We’ll take a much closer look at him in the coming days, but why is he going before Michael Bourn? Outside of position maybe, there is no reason, especially when Dee Gordon brings the same skill set nearly 100 picks later.
- Before you worry that Starlin Castro will lose value hitting third in the Cubs lineup (where it appears he will open), think again. Their lineup is not potent at all, so there is little reason to think that he won’t be given ample opportunities to run. Throw in more opportunities for RBI (thanks to his perennial .300 average) and potential for power growth (he’s just 22-years old) and what is there not to like?
- Asdrubal Cabrera had a big 2011 campaign (.273, 25 HR, 92 RBI, 17 SB), but can we truly believe in the power outburst? He entered the year with 18 career HR over 1,610 AB. I’m not about to suggest that he’s going to regress back to his previous levels, but I also wouldn’t expect a repeat performance. Keep that in mind.
- Will Derek Jeter remain in the leadoff spot all season long? It’s hard to believe, as the offense would likely run better with a potentially dynamic Brett Gardner at the top. At 37-years old (he’ll turn 38 in June), he just isn’t the same player that he once was. Don’t reach for him based on name value because if he is dropped down the lineup his value will take a nosedive.
- Hanley Ramirez is going to be moving to third base this season, so enjoy his SS eligibility for one final year. I would expect a solid bounce back campaign, as you can see by my 2012 projection (click here to view).
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Make sure to check out all of our 2012 rankings:
- Catchers
- First Basemen
- Second Basemen
- Third Basemen
- Outfielders: 1-20 | 21-40
- Starting Pitchers: 1-20 | 21-40 | 41-60
- Closers
Nice writeup! The Andrus over-valuation rings true in these ears!
I had Elvis as a keeper for many years, but honestly, any run/SB differential can easily be made up taking Aybar 8-10 rounds later. I cut Elvis lose this year, sure enough he was gone inside of 5 rounds. Crazy!
I’ve been not paying attention to SS (unless I get Tulo) until the likes of Gordon start going. Aybar is the value sweet-spot @ SS in 2012 imo.
bonofacio over everyone else starting at number 8
I’m coming around on Dee. IF he steals 50-60 he’ll be ranked 3rd or 4th next year. Great keeper gamble- in redraft leagues, not so much, I’d pass and take Bonifacio or Aybar.
My fears on Bonifacio are growing by the day. From the start there was a risk of BABIP regression (.372 in ’11) and not hitting in the leadoff spot cutting into his stolen base potential. Now he’s come out with an awful spring (something we’ll touch on tomorrow morning). Would it really be a stretch to see someone like Omar Infante, who is a prototypical #2 hitter, ultimately hitting in the spot? There is a ton of risk in selecting him at this point.