Fantasy Baseball 6.0: Shortstop Rankings

1. Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins, Draft Projection: Top 5

-Easily the best shortstop in the field this year and has been going number one overall in a lot of mock drafts but there’s not enough evidence to justify drafting him over Pujols. He is certain to have another dominant season as he continues to be a big marlin in a small pond.

2. Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies, Draft Projection: 1^st Round

-The number one shortstop for home runs, RBIs, and OPS in 2010 despite missing six weeks due to injury. He’s only 26 and he’s becoming one of the league’s best players and is definitely worth a mid-to-late first round pick.

3. Jose Reyes, New York Mets, Draft Projection: 2^nd Round

-Reyes was a huge headache to a lot of fantasy owners last season as he failed to live up to expectations. However shortstop is a much weaker position than normal so Reyes clings onto a top three ranking. He was disappointing but he’s still Jose Reyes, have faith but use caution.

4. Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies, Draft Projection: 2^nd Round

-Rollins is in the same boat as Reyes, a former stud that can’t seem to stay healthy. If he somehow manages to stay on the field he could steal 50 bases; if he stays on the field.

5. Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, Draft Projection: 2^nd Round

-This seems to be the theme at this position for 2011, really old all-stars with no young studs to push them out of the spotlight. Jeter should be able to bounce back from his somewhat disappointing 2010 and put up an average around .300 and pile up the hits. He’s a bona fide 2^nd rounder even at 37-years-old.

6. Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers, Draft Projection: 3^rd Round

-Doesn’t have a whole lot of power but the young gun was crucial for Texas on their way to an American League Championship in 2010. In 2011 he will take the next steps and become an all-star shortstop. Don’t miss out.

7. Rafael Furcal, Los Angeles Dodgers, Draft Projection: 4^th Round

-He’s getting up their in years and has plenty of injury concerns but like I’ve been saying it’s a down year for shortstops. If all the six players above are gone don’t feel too bad about drafting Furcal, just pray for his health.

8. Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox, Draft Projection: 4^th Round

-Just signed a big extension to keep him on the south side for years to come, and he’s Ozzie Guillen’s favorite. He’ll do just fine, emphasis on the words just and fine.

9. Marco Scutaro, Boston Red Sox, Draft Projection: 4^th Round

-Scutaro is a pretty underrated commodity and filled in nicely and the leadoff spot when Jacoby Ellsbury went down with injuries. He’s one tough cookie and will get plenty of at bats so don’t be too down on the old man in 2011.

10. Stephen Drew, Arizona Diamond Backs, Draft Projection: 5^th Round

-The former first round pick has been a slight disappointment in his late 20s but has been making vague improvements as of late. Will most likely finish hitting around .280, 15 homers and 70 RBIs.

The Rest Of The Pack

11. Ian Desmond, Washington Nationals, Draft Projection: 6^th Round

12. Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs, Draft Projection: 6^th Round

13. Yunel Escobar, Toronto Blue Jays, Draft Projection: 7^th Round

14. Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland Indians, Draft Projection: 7^th Round

15. Jason Bartlett, San Diego Padres, Draft Projection: 8^th Round

16. Alex Gonzalez, Atlanta Braves, Draft Projection: 8^th Round

17. Juan Uribe, Los Angeles Dodgers, Draft Projection: 9^th Round

18. Reid Brignac, Tampa Bay Rays, Draft Projection: 9^th Round

19. Alcides Escobar, Kansas City Royals, Draft Projection: 10^th Round

20. JJ Hardy, Baltimore Orioles, Draft Projection: 11^th Round

21. Yuniesky Betancourt, Milwaukee Brewers, Draft Projection: 11^th Round

22. Erick Aybar, Los Angeles Angels, Draft Projection: 12^th Round

23. Alexi Casilla, Minnesota Twins, Draft Projection: 13^th Round

24. Edgar Renteria, Cincinnati Reds, Draft Projection: 14^th Round

25. Cliff Pennington, Oakland A’s, Draft Projection: 15^th Round

26. Everth Cabrera, San Diego Padres, Draft Projection: 16^th Round

27. Orlando Cabrera, Cincinnati Reds, Draft Projection: 17^th Round

28. Jack Wilson, Seattle Mariners, Draft Projection: 18^th Round

29. Brendan Ryan, Seattle Mariners, Draft Projection: 20^th Round

30. Ronny Cedeno, Pittsburgh Pirates, Draft Projection: 20^th Round