2009 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Shortstops

By Kevin Kleps, Fantasy Correspondent

The top 20 fantasy baseball shortstops for the 2009 season, with 2008 statistics in parentheses):

1. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins (125 runs, 33 HR, 67 RBI, 35 SB, .301 AVG)
2. Jose Reyes, Mets (113 runs, 16 HR, 68 RBI, 56 SB, .297 AVG)
3. Jimmy Rollins, Phillies (76 runs, 11 HR, 59 RBI, 47 SB, .277 AVG)
4. Derek Jeter, Yankees (88 runs, 11 HR, 69 RBI, 11 SB, .300 AVG)
5. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies (48 runs, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 1 SB, .263 AVG)
6. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers (34 runs, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 8 SB, .357 AVG)
7. Alexei Ramirez, White Sox (65 runs, 21 HR, 71 RBI, 13 SB, .290 AVG)
8. Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks (91 runs, 21 HR, 67 RBI, 3 SB, .291 AVG)
9. J.J. Hardy, Brewers (78 runs, 24 HR, 74 RBI, 2 SB, .283 AVG)
10. Miguel Tejada, Astros (92 runs, 13 HR, 66 RBI, 7 SB, .283 AVG)
11. Jhonny Peralta, Indians (104 runs, 23 HR, 89 RBI, 3 SB, .276 AVG)
12. Yunel Escobar, Braves (71 runs, 10 HR, 60 RBI, 2 SB, .288 AVG)
13. Mike Aviles, Royals (68 runs, 10 HR, 51 RBI, 8 SB, .325 AVG)
14. Ryan Theriot, Cubs (85 runs, 1 HR, 38 RBI, 22 SB, .307 AVG)
15. Jed Lowrie, Red Sox (34 runs, 2 HR, 46 RBI, 1 SB, .258 AVG)
16. Orlando Cabrera, A's (93 runs, 8 HR, 57 RBI, 19 SB, .281 AVG)
17. Edgar Renteria, Giants (69 runs, 10 HR, 55 RBI, 6 SB, .270 AVG)
18. Khalil Greene, Cardinals (30 runs, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 5 SB, .213 AVG)
19. Cristian Guzman, Nationals (77 runs, 9 HR, 55 RBI, 6 SB, .316 AVG)
20. Erick Aybar, Angels (53 runs, 3 HR, 39 RBI, 7 SB, .277 AVG)

Short hops

Aside from first base, this is the deepest position in the infield. ... There is, however, a big difference between the top three and the next eight. ... Ramirez and Reyes might go first and second overall in leagues that emphasize stolen bases. ... Rollins was disappointing last season, but was phenomenal the year before (.296, 30 homers, 94 RBI, 41 steals). ... Jeter batted .343 and .322 with 97 and 73 RBI, respectively, in 2006 and 2007. ... Following an impressive rookie season, the White Sox’s Ramirez moves from second to shortstop. ... Tulowitzki and Furcal had their 2008 campaigns ruined by injuries. ... The Tribe’s Peralta has hit 21 or more homers in three of the last four seasons. ... The once-great Tejada might be undervalued at No. 10. ... Don’t draft Lowrie unless he beats out the overpaid Julio Lugo in Boston. ... One to watch: The Rangers love 20-year-old Elvis Andrus so much they’ve moved Michael Young to third base. ... I have ranked former fantasy standouts Greene and Renteria higher than most sites. Greene was terrible last season, but did compile 27 homers and 97 RBI the year before. Renteria batted .332 in 2007.