In standard formats it feels like shortstop has become the new third base in that it is fairly shallow.  Sure you have some top names available and some potential bargains late, but question marks are hanging over a lot of the choices (including the top names).  How does things look in OBP formats?  Let’s take a look:

1. Hanley Ramirez – Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Ben Zobrist – Tampa Bay Rays
3. Jose Reyes – Toronto Blue Jays
4. Troy Tulowitzki – Colorado Rockies
5. Starlin Castro – Chicago Cubs
6. Jimmy Rollins – Philadelphia Phillies
7. Ian Desmond – Washington Nationals
8. Asdrubal Cabrera – Cleveland Indians
9. Josh Rutledge – Colorado Rockies
10. Elvis Andrus – Texas Rangers
11. Everth Cabrera – San Diego Padres
12. Alcides Escobar – Kansas City Royals
13. Derek Jeter – New York Yankees
14. Erick Aybar – Los Angeles Angels
15. Alexei Ramirez – Chicago White Sox

Thoughts:

• The biggest gainer from the change to OBP is probably Everth Cabrera.  He is always a risk to hit for a poor average, but he owns a 9.6% walk rate and has the speed to lead the league in stolen bases.
• We talked about the boost Ben Zobrist gets in OBP formats when we discussed the second base rankings.  The same thing holds true at shortstop, as he surprisingly leaps over Jose Reyes (owner of a career .342 OBP).  While Reyes should score a ton of runs and steal plenty of bases, he doesn’t own an elite OBP and you have to wonder if he will be able to stay healthy playing half his games on artificial turf.
• Elvis Andrus is overrated, regardless of the format.  However, with a consistent OBP of .340+, he does make up a little of the value.  Now, if he could only keep the SB rolling for an entire season…  That said, without the ability to hit for power he is going to fall behind the other options regardless.
• Even at his age Jimmy Rollins has 15/30 ability.  While his OBP is still not the greatest, he has the ability to be .330-.340, if not better (assuming he can finally correct for his below average BABIP).  Regardless, in redraft formats he continues to be a good bet.

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Make sure to check out our standard 5×5 2013 rankings:

• Catchers (updated 02/18/13)
• First Basemen (updated 03/07/13)
• Second Basemen (updated 01/22/13)
• Third Basemen (updated 01/29/13)
• Shortstops (updated 03/04/13)
• Outfielders 1-20 (updated 02/25/13) | 21-40 (updated 02/26/13)
• Starting Pitchers 1-20 (updated 03/07/13) | 21-40 (updated 03/08/13)
• Relief Pitchers (updated 03/12/13)