Updated March 8, 2011
Jimmy Rollins was the National League MVP in 2007.
From 2006 to 2008, Jose Reyes averaged 16 homers, 69 RBI and 66 stolen bases.
Before 2010, Derek Jeter was a given to bat .300 with decent power numbers and steals.
Entering 2011, they comprise three of the top five shortstops in fantasy baseball. If you view them as too risky to select early in the draft, you can wait and hope Starlin Castro or Ian Desmond is the real deal, or Elvis Andrus does more than just steal bases.
You probably have figured out that, beyond the top two, it's a suspect year for shortstops. But that won't stop us from breaking down the best. Like Tim McCarver trying to squeeze in a point before a commercial break, we won't be denied.
This is our latest look at the top shortstops in fantasy baseball in 2011. These rankings will be updated as spring training provides more answers to certain position battles.
Note: Players are listed only at the position at which they are expected to spend the most time in 2011, not every position at which they are eligible. For the top players in keeper leagues for 2011, click here.
- Hanley Ramirez, Marlins: His numbers were down in 2010, but he'll still hit .300 with 20-plus homers and 30-plus steals.
- Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: The 2010 Ramirez wasn't better than the 2010 Tulowitzki. This young Rockie has a fat new contract, and he could soon be fantasy's top shortstop after batting .315 with 27 homers, 95 RBI, 89 runs and 11 steals in 470 at-bats last season.
- Jose Reyes, Mets: He was decent once he returned from injury last season (83 runs, 11 homers, 54 RBI, 30 steals, .282 average), but we've come to expect more.
- Derek Jeter, Yankees: His .270 average last season was 44 points below his career norm, and his .710 OPS was his lowest since 1995, when he had only 48 at-bats as a rookie. Maybe his bad feelings over his offseason contract discussions will fuel a resurgent season at age 36.
- Jimmy Rollins, Phillies: He was limited to 88 games by injuries last season, and he's batted .277, .250 and .243 the last three years.
- Alexei Ramirez, White Sox: He might not have the flash of others on this list, but he's less of a risk than most. In three major-league seasons, Ramirez has batted .283 and averaged 18 homers, 72 RBI and 13 steals.
- Starlin Castro, Cubs: He hit .300 with 10 steals as a rookie, and his minor-league numbers suggest Castro will continue to hit for average and steal bases, but won't help you in the power departments.
- Rafael Furcal, Dodgers: If we knew he would remain healthy, he'd be in the top five. But the fact is, Furcal had 383 at-bats last season and 143 in 2008.
- Elvis Andrus, Rangers: He stole 32 bases in the regular season and was excellent in the postseason, but he batted only .265 with zero homers and 35 RBI.
- Ian Desmond, Nationals: He hit .269 as a rookie and .259 in the minors, but he seems to be a threat to hit 12 to 15 homers with 75-plus RBI and 20-plus steals.
- Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks: He's a .272 career hitter who is often overrated. He might give you double digits in homers and steals, but don't expect much else.
- Marco Scutaro, Red Sox: Like the White Sox's Ramirez, Scutaro won't wow you, but he's consistent (averages of 96 runs, 12 homers, 58 RBI and 10 steals the last two seasons).
- Yunel Escobar, Blue Jays: He was very good in 2009 (.299, 14 homers, 76 RBI, 89 runs) and anything but in 2010 (.256, four homers, 35 RBI).
- Alex Gonzalez, Braves: The good news: He had 23 homers and 88 RBI last season. The bad: He's a career .248 hitter who doesn't steal bases.
- Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: His 2010 was wrecked by a broken leg, but he could be a draft-day steal if he produces as he did the year before (.308, 68 RBI, 17 steals).
- Reid Brignac, Rays: The Rays traded Jason Bartlett, freeing the position for Brignac. The latter had eight homers and 45 RBI in 301 at-bats as a rookie last season.
- Jhonny Peralta, Tigers: He's back at shortstop after playing third at end of his tenure with the Indians. Peralta, once a 20-homer threat, has batted .252 with averages of 13 homers and 82 RBI the last two years.
- Miguel Tejada, Giants: He's a .287 career hitter who slipped to .269 last season and no longer hits for much power (averages of 14 homers and 74 RBI the last three years).
- Jason Bartlett, Padres: He had a poor 2010 after a very good 2009 (.320, 14 homers, 66 RBI, 30 steals, 90 runs).
- Yuniesky Betancourt, Brewers: His 16 homers last season were seven above his career high, and his 78 RBI were 11 more than his previous best.
Eligibility notes
Juan Uribe will play second base with the Dodgers, but should be eligible at shortstop. He would rank 14th on the above list, ahead of Escobar. ... Omar Infante will be the Marlins' second baseman. He played 19 games at shortstop with Atlanta last season and could be eligible there in some leagues. ... The Royals' Mike Aviles might be eligible here after playing 13 games at short in 2010. He is ranked 18th at second base. ... Ryan Theriot is expected to start at shortstop for the Cardinals, but he's not much of an asset at second or short after hitting .270 with two homers, 29 RBI and 20 steals last season.
Others to watch
- J.J. Hardy, Orioles: From 2007 to 2008, he batted .280 with averages of 25 homers and 77 RBI. The last two seasons, he has norms of nine homers and 43 RBI in 377 at-bats.
- Cliff Pennington, Athletics: He stole 29 bases in his first full season, but he likely won't hit for average or power.
- Erick Aybar, Angels: He was terrible last season (.253, 69 runs, 22 steals, .636 OPS), but was productive in 2009 (.312, 58 RBI, 14 steals).
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MORE RANKINGS: Your guide to all of our 2011 fantasy baseball rankings