The Golden Age of Shortstops: Ranking MLB’s Elite in 2026

Spring training is underway, and as we look ahead to the 2026 MLB season, one position stands out for its remarkable depth and offensive prowess: shortstop. This isn’t your grandfather’s shortstop corps, focused primarily on defense. Today’s shortstops are expected to excel at the plate, often anchoring lineups with their hitting ability. ESPN’s Buster Olney recently surveyed industry experts to rank the top 10 players at the position, and the results reflect a golden age for shortstops.

The Evolution of the Shortstop

Historically, shortstops were valued primarily for their defensive skills. Players like Cal Ripken Jr. Broke the mold, demonstrating that shortstops could also be offensive forces, winning two MVP Awards while maintaining Gold Glove-caliber defense. The era of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Nomar Garciaparra further elevated expectations, showcasing shortstops as offensive outliers. Now, teams prioritize acquiring or developing shortstops who can contribute significantly on both sides of the ball.

The increasing importance of offensive production at shortstop is reflected in the statistics. In 2024, shortstops accounted for 20.4% of all position player fWAR – the highest rate in history. This is a significant increase from previous decades:

• 1975: 6.0%
• 1985: 8.5%
• 1995: 7.8%
• 2005: 13.1%
• 2015: 10.6%
• 2025: 18.4%

Top 10 Shortstops for 2026

1. Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals: Witt checks all the boxes – elite defense, a lineup-anchoring bat, power, and speed. He led the majors in hits (184) and doubles (47) in 2025, also boasting the best defensive metrics among shortstops and stealing 38 bases.
2. Geraldo Perdomo, Arizona Diamondbacks: If not for Shohei Ohtani’s two-way dominance, Perdomo would be a strong NL MVP candidate. He led all NL position players in WAR last season with 7.0, excelling both offensively and defensively with a 139 adjusted OPS.
3. Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles: Henderson followed up a stellar 2024 with a 5.3 WAR season in 2025, hitting 17 home runs and stealing 30 bases. His performance often mirrored the Orioles’ success.
4. Francisco Lindor, Recent York Mets: The Mets will need Lindor’s offensive production as he recovers from hamate surgery. He has been remarkably consistent over the past four seasons, maintaining an OPS+ between 121 and 137.
5. Corey Seager, Texas Rangers: Seager’s impact is undeniable when healthy, generating 6.2 WAR in 102 games last season and averaging a 139 OPS+ over the past eight years. Though, his injury history is a concern for the Rangers.
6. Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies: Turner responded well to a focus on getting on base, posting a 5.2 WAR season and winning the NL batting title with a .287/.337/.461 slash line.
7. Jeremy Peña, Houston Astros: Peña has become the bedrock of the Astros’ lineup, hitting .304/.363/.477 in 2025 while continuing to play well defensively.
8. Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers: Betts successfully transitioned to shortstop, leading all shortstops in defensive runs saved (17) while adding another chapter to his Hall of Fame career.
9. Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds: De La Cruz’s dynamic skillset – 37 stolen bases, 22 home runs, and 102 runs scored in 2025 – earns him a high ranking despite defensive struggles.
10. Willy Adames, San Francisco Giants: Despite a fluctuating batting average, Adames finished with 30 home runs and an OPS+ of 111, showing promise for improvement.

Ones to Watch

Several players just missed the top 10, demonstrating the depth at the position:

• Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs: A consistent producer who stays on the field.
• Jacob Wilson, Athletics: A promising young hitter with an unusual but effective swing.
• Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels: Generating 10.2 WAR over the past two seasons.
• Trevor Story, Boston Red Sox: Had his best offensive season in Boston in 2025.
• Andres Gimenez, Toronto Blue Jays: Improved Toronto’s infield defense when moved from second base to shortstop.
• Masyn Winn, St. Louis Cardinals: A strong defensive shortstop still developing offensively.
• Colson Montgomery, Chicago White Sox: Showed impressive power with 21 home runs in his first 71 games.
• CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals: Averages in getting on base and excellent base running skills.

The future of the shortstop position is bright, with a wealth of young talent poised to make an impact. As teams continue to prioritize athleticism and offensive upside, the golden age of shortstops is likely to continue for years to come.