The Top Five Shortstops in the MLB

Shortstop is one of the most important positions on the diamond. Therefore, shortstop might be the most stacked position. There are a lot of guys who are going to be snubbed out of the top five. Some honorable mentions go to Dansby Swanson, Carlos Correa, Bo Bichette, and Xander Bogarts. Let’s check who made the list of the top five shortstops in the MLB!

5. Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles)

Henderson leads the Orioles’ young core alongside Adley Rutschman. In 2023, Henderson won the American League Rookie of the Year, batting .255 with 28 home runs, 82 RBIs, and a 4.6 WAR. He is also slick with the glove, racking up 13 defensive runs saved in 2023. Henderson at the five spot on this list might seem aggressive, but he was a beast in 2023 and will continue to be for the rest of his career. 

4. Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals)

Witt Jr. had a monster year in 2023, which led him to get a massive extension this past offseason. He batted .276 with 30 home runs, 96 RBIs, an insane 49 stolen bases, and put up a 5.7 WAR. The one knock on him is his defense, having -6 defensive runs saved. If he was a solid defender, he would be higher on this list. Putting up such great offensive numbers at such a young age, however, is enough to land him at number four. 

3. Trea Turner (Philadelphia Phillies)

After a slow start, Tuner turned around his 2023 season (yes, the pun was intended). Turner batted .266 with 26 home runs, 76 RBIs, 30 stolen bases, and a 3.8 WAR. He is a two-time all-star, has a silver slugger, and won the 2021 National League Batting Title and the 2019 World Series with the Nationals. Turner is another guy who struggled defensively in 2023, with an abysmal -12 defensive runs saved. However, his resume is enough to land him at number three.

2. Francisco Lindor (New York Mets)

Lindor has been one of the most complete players in the league, dating back to his days in Cleveland. He is a four-time all-star, two-time Gold Glove winner, has three Silver Sluggers, and won the 2016 Platinum Glove. 2023 has been his best season with the Mets so far, batting .254 with 31 home runs, 98 RBIs, 31 stolen bases, and a six WAR. Lindor had seven defensive runs saved last season, which is weirdly not great for him. Somehow, there is one shortstop just barely better than him. 

1. Corey Seager (Texas Rangers)

Seager had an unreal 2023 and would’ve won the American League MVP if Shohei Ohtani didn’t exist. In just 119 games, Seager hit .327 with 33 home runs, 96 RBIs, and had about a six WAR. He is a four-time all-star, a two-time World Series champion, a three-time Silver Slugger, and the 2020 NLCS MVP. Seager, who has never been good defensively, had five defensive runs saved last year. He is a big reason the Rangers won it all in 2023 and is the best shortstop in the MLB.