Fantasy Baseball 2013: top 10 shortstops

Jimmy RollinsI rank him: #4Yahoo! experts rank him: #72012 stats: 156 games, 632 at-bats, 102 runs, 23 HR, 68 RBI, 39 SB, .250 averageI can't really figure out why the experts rank Rollins so low. Sure he is on the older side at 34 but his production hasn't declined. If anything, he's gotten better! Last season he scored the most runs and hit the most home runs since 2007. He also managed to steal 30 bags.Hanley RamirezI rank him: #3Yahoo! experts rank him: #32012 stats: 157 games, 604 at-bats, 79 runs, 24 HR, 92 RBI, 21 SB, .257 averageRamirez's stats got better after he was acquired by the Dodgers and is a 20 HR / 20 SB player. He is one of the top three elite shortstops to own in fantasy.Troy TulowitzkiI rank him: #2Yahoo! experts rank him: #12012 stats: 47 games, 181 at-bats, 33 runs, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 2 SB, .287 averageTulowitzki obviously missed a lot of time last season so his numbers are way off what they should be. If you look at the past three seasons before last, he has 30 HR and 100 RBI potential which easily makes him worth drafting in the first few rounds.View the list »
Jose ReyesI rank him: #1Yahoo! experts rank him: #22012 stats: 160 games, 642 at-bats, 86 runs, 11 HR, 57 RBI, 40 SB, .287 averageAs already mentioned, I believe steals are more important than power when it comes to shortstop. That being said, Reyes is my #1 at the position due to the fact he can easily snag 40+ bases over the course of the season.

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Shortstop is another one of those infield positions where there are a few top-tier players to have when it comes to fantasy but then the rest really drop off in terms of consistency and reliability. If you can't get one of the top three shortstops in the first few rounds of your draft, you might as well wait until the very late rounds because the difference in production between mid to late round picks at this position are minimal.

When it comes to shortstop, I personally place a premium on speed over power. You can find a lot of home runs among your outfield, first, and third basemen. Speed is harder to find which is why I rank Jose Reyes over Troy Tulowitzki at the top of the position. I'm also still a believer in Derek Jeter and rank him slightly higher than some of the Yahoo! experts do.

Here are my top 10 shortstop rankings for the 2013 season:

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  • Jose ReyesI rank him: #1Yahoo! experts rank him: #22012 stats: 160 games, 642 at-bats, 86 runs, 11 HR, 57 RBI, 40 SB, .287 averageAs already mentioned, I believe steals are more important than power when it comes to shortstop. That being said, Reyes is my #1 at the position due to the fact he can easily snag 40+ bases over the course of the season.
  • Troy TulowitzkiI rank him: #2Yahoo! experts rank him: #12012 stats: 47 games, 181 at-bats, 33 runs, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 2 SB, .287 averageTulowitzki obviously missed a lot of time last season so his numbers are way off what they should be. If you look at the past three seasons before last, he has 30 HR and 100 RBI potential which easily makes him worth drafting in the first few rounds.
  • Hanley RamirezI rank him: #3Yahoo! experts rank him: #32012 stats: 157 games, 604 at-bats, 79 runs, 24 HR, 92 RBI, 21 SB, .257 averageRamirez's stats got better after he was acquired by the Dodgers and is a 20 HR / 20 SB player. He is one of the top three elite shortstops to own in fantasy.
  • Jimmy RollinsI rank him: #4Yahoo! experts rank him: #72012 stats: 156 games, 632 at-bats, 102 runs, 23 HR, 68 RBI, 39 SB, .250 averageI can't really figure out why the experts rank Rollins so low. Sure he is on the older side at 34 but his production hasn't declined. If anything, he's gotten better! Last season he scored the most runs and hit the most home runs since 2007. He also managed to steal 30 bags.
  • Ben ZobristI rank him: #5Yahoo! experts rank him: #52012 stats: 157 games, 560 at-bats, 88 runs, 20 HR, 74 RBI, 14 SB, .270 averageZobrist is known more for his power than his speed, but contributes in both categories. He can hit 20 homers and typically steals between 15-20 bags per season.
  • Starlin Castro I rank him: #6Yahoo! experts rank him: #42012 stats: 162 games, 646 at-bats, 78 runs, 14 HR, 78 RBI, 25 SB, .283 averageWhat appeals most about Castro is his batting average. Since joining the league in 2010, Castro is a career .297 hitter. His home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases have improved each year. If this trend continues he could top last year's numbers this season.
  • Ian DesmondI rank him: #7Yahoo experts rank him: #62012 stats: 130 games, 513 at-bats, 72 runs, 25 HR, 73 RBI, 21 SB, .292Desmond had a breakout year last season with career highs in almost every fantasy-relevant stat category. I still rank him a little bit lower because one good year doesn't guarantee he can repeat that level of production.
  • Derek JeterI rank him: #8Yahoo! experts rank him: #112012 stats: 159 games, 683 at-bats, 99 runs, 15 HR, 58 RBI, 9 SB, .316 averageThe experts have been down on Derek Jeter for years and he keeps proving them wrong year in and year out. His speed has diminished (9 SBs in 159 games is nothing to write home about) but Jeter made up for it with his highest batting average in the last five years.
  • Elvis AndrusI rank him: #9Yahoo! experts rank him: #92012 stats: 158 games, 629 at-bats, 85 runs, 3 HR, 62 RBI, 21 SB, .286 averageAndrus is primarily a speedster. He had over 30 stolen bases each season between 2009 - 2011. His steals went down a bit last season but that was only because he attempted to snag fewer bases. He was actually caught stealing less often last year than he was in 2011.
  • J.J. HardyI rank him: #10Yahoo! experts rank him: #152012 stats: 158 games, 663 at-bats, 85 runs, 22 HR, 68 RBI, 0 SB, .238 averageI round out my top 10 with J.J. Hardy. His batting average sucked last season but he was never known as an average hitter. He hits for power, and belted 22 dingers last year and 30 the year before. If you are in need of some added pop to your lineup, Hardy will provide 25-30 homers.
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, Rochester Fantasy Sports Examiner

Alexander Hinkley has been playing fantasy sports for more than 10 years. He currently works as the Fantasy Content Manager for the National Lacrosse League and has an interest in fantasy lacrosse, hockey, baseball, and football. You may contact Alex with your comments and questions.

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