By Kevin Kleps
The top 20 fantasy baseball shortstops for the 2008 season, with 2007 statistics in parentheses):
- Jose Reyes, Mets (12 HR, 57 RBI, 78 SB, .280 AVG)
- Hanley Ramirez, Marlins (29 HR, 81 RBI, 51 SB, .332 AVG)
- Jimmy Rollins, Phillies (30 HR, 94 RBI, 41 SB, .296 AVG)
- Derek Jeter, Yankees (12 HR, 73 RBI, 15 SB, .322 AVG)
- Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies (24 HR, 99 RBI, 7 SB, .291 AVG)
- Miguel Tejada, Astros (18 HR, 81 RBI, 2 SB, .296 AVG)
- Michael Young, Rangers (9 HR, 94 RBI, 13 SB, .315 AVG)
- Rafael Furcal, Dodgers (6 HR, 47 RBI, 25 SB, .270 AVG)
- J.J. Hardy, Brewers (26 HR, 80 RBI, 2 SB, .277 AVG)
- Khalil Greene, Padres (27 HR, 97 RBI, 4 SB, .254 AVG)
- Edgar Renteria, Tigers (12 HR, 57 RBI, 11 SB, .332 AVG)
- Orlando Cabrera, White Sox (8 HR, 86 RBI, 20 SB, .301 AVG)
- Jhonny Peralta, Indians (21 HR, 72 RBI, 4 SB, .270 AVG)
- Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks (12 HR, 60 RBI, 9 SB, .238 AVG)
- Yunel Escobar, Braves (5 HR, 28 RBI, 5 SB, .326 AVG)
- Julio Lugo, Red Sox (8 HR, 73 RBI, 33 SB, .237 AVG)
- Ryan Theriot, Cubs (3 HR, 45 RBI, 28 SB, .266 AVG)
- Jason Bartlett, Rays (5 HR, 43 RBI, 23 SB, .265 AVG)
- Felipe Lopez, Nationals (11 HR, 72 RBI, 24 SB, .245 AVG)
- Yuniesky Betancourt, Mariners (9 HR, 67 RBI, 5 SB, .289 AVG)
Short hops
How good is Ramirez? So good that tabbing Reyes as the top shortstop is one of the most difficult decisions at any position. … Shortstop is loaded at the top, so much so that the 2007 National League MVP, Rollins – who has 55 homers, 177 RBI and 77 stolen bases the last two seasons – can’t crack the top two and the always-reliable Jeter is a shaky choice over Tulowitzki at No. 4. … Young’s power has mysteriously disappeared (23 homers the last two years). He had a combined 46 HRs in 2004 and 2005. … Drew, who hit .316 as a rookie in 2006, should be a fantasy starter by midseason. … Before drafting Lopez, who can also play second base, make sure he’s beaten out Cristian Guzman. The latter batted .328 in 46 games last season.
