Matthew Pouliot

Strike Zone

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Shortstop Keeper Rankings

Thursday, August 18, 2011


This year's final set of Strike Zone player rankings focuses strictly on 2012 and beyond. I'm looking mostly at the next two years in these keeper rankings, though I am providing a little credit for 2014 and '15. As always, there are position rankings with notes and an overall top 250 list.

Click to see other Keeper rankings:
Top 250 | SP | RP | OF | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | C | DH

  • There's no guarantee that I won't rank Hanley over Tulowitzki in the 2012 projections, but going with Tulo in the top spot was the safer play here. I didn't give any real thought to ranking Reyes above Ramirez. Hanley is the better bet to stay healthy, and even though a lot has gone wrong this year, I think he'll be the better player going forward.

  • I don't think Jeter at No. 15 will prove too controversial. He's probably finished as a top-10 shortstop, but he should still be a solid run and RBI guy even as the power and steal totals continue to dwindle. Furcal at No. 17 was the tougher call. He's four years younger than Jeter and just a year older than Rollins, but he's brought up retirement as a result of all of his injuries. A healthy Furcal has a chance of getting back into the top 10 at the position next year, but the injuries are taking a toll on his ranking here.

  • For shortstop prospects, I went with Lee and Green over Nick Franklin, Tim Beckham, Christian Colon, Adeiny Hechavarria and Jose Iglesias. Lee and Franklin both just moved up to Double-A. Neither figures to be ready next year, but both could be starters come 2013. Green is giving center field a try now, but he could still be shortstop eligible in fantasy leagues if he debuts next year. Colon is probably the Royals' second baseman of the future, and Hechavarria and Iglesias lack fantasy upside. Ruben Tejada also fits into that last group. The Mets could play him at short next year if Reyes leaves, but he'd likely be a $2-$3 player.


    • RankPlayer NameTeam
    1 Troy Tulowitzki Rockies
    2 Hanley Ramirez Marlins
    3 Jose Reyes Mets
    4 Elvis Andrus Rangers
    5 Asdrubal Cabrera Indians
    6 Starlin Castro Cubs
    7 Jimmy Rollins Phillies
    8 Stephen Drew Diamondbacks
    9 Alexei Ramirez White Sox
    10 Yunel Escobar Blue Jays
    11 Erick Aybar Angels
    12 Jhonny Peralta Tigers
    13 J.J. Hardy Orioles
    14 Jed Lowrie Red Sox
    15 Derek Jeter Yankees
    16 Ian Desmond Nationals
    17 Rafael Furcal Cardinals
    18 Alcides Escobar Royals
    19 Dee Gordon Dodgers
    20 Zack Cozart Reds
    21 Reid Brignac Rays
    22 Cliff Pennington Athletics
    23 Eduardo Nunez Yankees
    24 Jason Bartlett Padres
    25 Tsuyoshi Nishioka Twins
    26 Emilio Bonifacio Marlins
    27 Trevor Plouffe Twins
    28 Alex Gonzalez Braves
    29 Marco Scutaro Red Sox
    30 Alexi Casilla Twins
    31 Clint Barmes Astros
    32 Sean Rodriguez Rays
    33 Yuniesky Betancourt Brewers
    34 Brendan Ryan Mariners
    35 Brandon Wood Pirates
    36 Ryan Theriot Cardinals
    37 Hak-Ju Lee Rays
    38 Jamey Carroll Dodgers
    39 Grant Green Athletics
    40 Brandon Crawford Giants


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    Matthew Pouliot is the Executive Editor of RotoWorld.com and has been doing the site's baseball projections for the last 10 years. Follow him on Twitter at matthewpouliot.
    Email :Matthew Pouliot

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