The perfect efficiency by the shortstop place within the historical past of Main League Baseball occurred in 2024. Which means, as they play the primary month of the major-league season right here in 2025, the perfect group of shortstops ever to play the sport are doing it proper now, in entrance of our eyes.
From high to backside, we stay in MLB’s golden age of shortstops.
“I’d say we’re,” Minnesota Twins supervisor Rocco Baldelli mentioned. “All you need to do is go searching. When you recognize nice gamers and particular gamers, there are a selection of them.”
In ’24, Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, Francisco Lindor and Elly De La Cruz had been the elite. The perfect of the perfect. Identical to the person mentioned in that scene from “High Gun.” However they weren’t the one hot-shot shortstops within the briefing room. Additionally standing by: Willy Adames, Corey Seager, Mookie Betts (sure, he counts), Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson and Trea Turner adopted. That’s 10 nice shortstops, a 3rd of the starters within the league, solely one among whom (Adames) has by no means been to an All-Star Recreation. The highest tiers alone have by no means been deeper.
Pictures of Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Nomar Garciaparra nonetheless are available in clearly for Correa, however the prolific variety of nice gamers on the place immediately, together with those that come after, even have his consideration.
“It’s robust for me to say,” Correa mentioned, “contemplating there was an period the place you had A-Rod, Jeter and Garciaparra, however I’ll say it’s a really wholesome age for shortstops proper now. All over the place you look, there’s a famous person manning shortstop.”
This isn’t to say that the only finest shortstop of all time is a person taking part in proper now. Not essentially. So all the Honus Wagner obsessors can stand down. T-206, child! The identical goes for you A-Rod truthers. Jeter ought to have been the one to maneuver to a different place. And in case you contemplate the perfect to be Cal Ripken Jr., the O.G. Junior if you’ll, it may be argued fairly.
Any assertion like that is, largely, a collective one. It will be an overstatement to say that each staff fills out a lineup that features a nice shortstop; they don’t. However most groups not less than have a fairly good one. The Thirtieth-ranked beginning shortstop in 2024 would have slotted in the midst of the pack in 2000. Sorry/congratulations, Paul DeJong.
To agree with this rivalry, past having a intestine feeling or making a “comprehend it once you see it” commentary, you first should settle for WAR. Wins above substitute — as calculated by the baseball analytics web site Fangraphs, to maintain it easy.
WAR incorporates imperfections, nevertheless it’s an honest thumbnail solution to tackle these kinds of questions. Right here’s a dictionary definition of WAR, no matter the place it originates:
WAR measures a participant’s worth in all sides of the sport by calculating what number of extra wins they’re price than a replacement-level participant on the similar place.
Probably the most fWAR in any single season for all shortstops, 117.5, was recorded in 2024. Shortstops accounted for 20.6% of the full fWAR amongst all non-pitchers (569.8), the best share in historical past other than the 1904 season. The spike continued an upward pattern for shortstops: Six of the 13 finest seasons for highest share of fWAR for shortstops have occurred since 2018. The opposite high shortstop seasons in that span come from the primary 20 years of the twentieth century, after they performed with a lifeless ball, and rosters had been whites solely.
High seasons fWAR% by place since integration (1947-present)
The highest particular person shortstops by fWAR in ’24 had been Witt (10.4) and Henderson (8.0), the primary duo to succeed in not less than 8 fWAR in the identical season since Honus Wagner and Terry Turner in 1906. Not far behind was Lindor (7.8), giving 2024 three of the highest 21 shortstop seasons since Jackie Robinson re-integrated MLB in 1947. Even in case you included all of American League historical past since 1901 so you would make Wagner related once more, Witt-Henderson-Lindor in ’24 put three people within the high 36. No different season does that. They weren’t taking part in the identical recreation in 19-oh-whatever, however you would say that lots of the finest gamers had been shortstops. That half has come round once more.
Six extra shortstops in ’24 produced not less than 4.3 fWAR, together with De La Cruz at 6.4, which might have led the league from 2010-2017. A complete of 17 shortstops produced not less than 3.0 fWAR, and 26 produced not less than 2.0. It wasn’t all the time like that. It was once that groups would accept somebody with robust defensive skill at brief, however who additionally virtually actually hit beneath league common. Or, if that they had somebody who might hit a bit, simply don’t be horrendous on protection. The proof is within the fWAR pudding.
Simply 10 years in the past, shortstops accounted for 10.5% of fWAR for all non-position gamers. It hadn’t slipped underneath 10% since 1994-2000, however from 1966-2000 it fell beneath 10% for all however 5 seasons, the exceptions being 1987-1989, 91-93. The late ’80s and early ’90s had been nonetheless prime years for Corridor of Famers like Ripken, Barry Larkin, Ozzie Smith and Alan Trammell.
Witt’s prime has simply begun. In a recreation in opposition to the Baltimore Orioles not too long ago, Witt confirmed off on each side of the ball. He made a diving cease on a grounder up the center by Jordan Westburg within the first inning that required a full extension by Witt of his glove arm. Nonetheless inclined, Witt rose simply sufficient to make a flip to Michael Massey at second for a pressure on Adley Rutschman. Massey’s relay was not in time to show a double play on Westburg, who had an anticipated batting common of .450 on the grounder. The play appeared like one the place Statcast didn’t give sufficient credit score to the protection.
Witt received the AL Gold Glove at shortstop in ’24, however had room for enchancment on balls to his left, Kansas Metropolis Royals supervisor Matt Quatraro mentioned, and his coaching confirmed up on the play. Massey anticipated Witt to get there, simply because he often expects Witt to get there.
“I’ve seen him try this earlier than,” Massey mentioned. “That’s a play that not many guys get to. Whether or not it’s low season, spring coaching or earlier than a recreation, he’s on the market engaged on first steps and doing issues like that looking for a bonus.”
Witt additionally completed with three hits, lacking the cycle by a house run after being caught searching for a strikeout within the seventh. In ’24 in opposition to the Arizona Diamondbacks, an earlier probability for the cycle got here all the way down to Witt’s closing plate look, however he was hit by a pitch. Witt mentioned on the time he hoped to hit for the cycle for the followers, however downplayed the importance this time.
“Typically you’re feeling just like the cycle is luck,” Witt mentioned. “It’s not one thing you need to take into consideration forward of time. As a substitute, simply benefit from the second and if it occurs, it occurs.”
Baldelli appreciates what Witt specifically can do, regardless that he’s simply beginning his fourth season within the majors.
“He’s the most effective gamers within the recreation,” Baldelli mentioned. “He’s an athletic dynamo and it’s not simply athleticism. He’s younger, however he’s already proper in the midst of his prime — a primary that may final some time.”
Correa mentioned he remembers watching Witt as a rookie and telling him he was going to be the perfect participant within the recreation quickly. The dialog got here throughout a second the place Witt requested Correa for an autographed bat.
“I informed him that I’m going to be the one asking for signed bats and jerseys quickly,” Correa mentioned. “Now each of my youngsters have his jersey, and so they love to observe him play. Proper now, I really feel like he’s the perfect shortstop within the recreation, fingers down, and I simply take pleasure in taking part in in opposition to him and watching him do work. He’s unbelievable.”
A yr youthful that Witt, Henderson naturally reminds a few of a tall Orioles shortstop from 40 years in the past who additionally had a booming bat. Henderson put up ridiculous offensive numbers in 2024, rating because the fifth-best hitter within the league, only a shade behind Juan Soto. However some scouts and analysts have tried to nudge Henderson over to 3rd base, for causes that begin along with his dimension. Henderson mentioned he doesn’t spare prep time on protection.
“I work laborious at it each day as a result of, as a much bigger shortstop, the largest factor for me is getting my legs conditioned for that place,” Henderson mentioned. “It’s a number of shifting components, and also you’ve bought to be prepared for all types of bizarre hops. So simply doing that, and actually simply engaged on making the best selections every day. And I really feel like I try this, then I play fairly effectively on the market.”
Henderson doesn’t have a defensive fame like Witt’s, and Statcast places him towards the center of the pack in fielding run worth. Conversely, rankings at Fielding Bible tie Henderson with Seager, Jeremy Peña and Zach Neto for eighth in complete runs saved amongst all shortstops because the begin of 2023. He pays zero consideration to both set of defensive metrics. So how does he know he’s getting higher on protection?
“By the way in which I really feel, as a result of I’m my greatest critic,” Henderson mentioned. “And I really feel like if I maintain as much as these requirements, then they’re loads higher than what any little numbers someone can put down on me.”
It’s laborious to think about now, however Ripken had doubters that he might play shortstop effectively sufficient to final when he broke in. Ripken stood 6-foot-4, which was deemed too tall to play brief, particularly in these days with so many slick synthetic turf fields. Solely 9 others to that time who performed brief listed not less than 6-3, and none taller. Ripken actually proved that he might do it, and possibly planted a seed that somebody standing 6-4 might deal with shortstop, however solely 4 others have performed not less than 162 video games at brief at that peak since Ripken debuted.
As we speak, six shortstops listing at 6-3 or taller, beginning with Henderson, Seager and Correa, and rising to De La Cruz at 6-5.
“They arrive in all styles and sizes, which makes it all of the extra pleasant once you watch what they will do,” Baldelli mentioned. “You don’t need to look too far proper now within the recreation to see not solely All-Star-caliber gamers, however actually memorable baseball gamers on the market taking part in that place.”
In one other time, and perhaps not all that way back, most of them most likely would have been moved to different positions, a longtime front-office individual asserted. For instance: The Pirates moved Oneil Cruz from brief to middle, partly as a result of his 6-7 body was simply, effectively, too tall to play brief.
“We’ve bought a number of guys taking part in shortstop these days that merely wouldn’t have been allowed to take action up to now. Seager chief amongst them,” mentioned Voros McCracken, who labored as a knowledge analyst for the Boston Pink Sox after they received the World Sequence in 2004. Till not too long ago, he had an identical place with the Chicago White Sox for greater than a decade.
Seager has outperformed a number of expectations at brief, and ranked within the 89th percentile in outs above common at Statcast in 2024. He might need been given the good thing about the doubt due to his bat, however the defensive calls for on shortstops additionally aren’t what they was once. For instance, all however 4 ballparks use pure grass in 2025. Forty years in the past, there have been 10 such stadiums. There are different elements, McCracken mentioned.
“The dearth of synthetic turf and the final widespread discount of balls in play makes the requirements for being an MLB shortstop much less strict,” mentioned McCracken, a pioneer in creating what grew to become the superior analytic known as fielding unbiased pitching.
A widespread angle adjustment in MLB entrance workplaces is to anybody’s profit who enjoys full ballplayers taking part in shortstop. Up to now and even immediately, groups usually draft shortstops from excessive colleges and faculties with none expectation, and even an intention, of taking part in them there as professionals — not less than as soon as they advance past the low minors.
“Often, actually good athletes begin in the midst of the sphere and so they work their manner off and play in different spots,” Baldelli mentioned. “However there are a number of guys not working their solution to a nook or shifting in any respect. They’re holding onto their athletic skill, holding onto their high-end expertise and so they’re taking part in proper within the center at shortstop.”
Correa posits that sports activities science enhancing coaching strategies has one thing to do with larger people being higher in a position to excel at a demanding place like shortstop. That, together with the attract of being an entire participant, has given younger ballplayers a broader path to greatness.
“The younger youngsters are centered on being five-tool gamers,” Correa mentioned. “Now we’ve got the data, the understanding and the science to perform that. Lots of people have nice coaching applications, and fogeys are conscious of that, and so they put their youngsters in them at a younger age. Youthful youngsters usually tend to learn to play the shortstop place the best manner.
“And hitting mechanics have transcended to ranges that, proper now, we’ve got a lot information that may again up the coaching, and that breeds success. Quite a lot of gamers usually are not solely placing in work, however particular work to make it occur.”
Carlos Correa’s High 5 Present Shortstops
The foremost-league recreation has grown past the all-field, no-hit days of the rank-and-file shortstops who got here after the wave of stars on the high. It’s not ok anymore to play one dimensionally.
“If you’re good defensively, however you can not hit league-average OPS — when you’ve got a .600 OPS — then you definately’re not taking part in brief for very lengthy on this recreation,” Correa mentioned. “If you are able to do each, then the sport goes to reward you.”
Even when it’s a neater defensive spot to play than it was in Ripken’s or Ozzie’s day, it is smart for a staff to place and hold its finest athletes at shortstop, given what nonetheless is required to play there. Twins right-hander Pablo López way back took word of what Correa can do on protection, and what he’s chargeable for above all others on the infield.
“He makes laborious issues look straightforward,” López mentioned. “He will get to so many balls that appear like they’re going to be knocks off the bat. You flip and also you see him gliding or floating and — poof! — he makes a play. He is aware of precisely the place to be, when to be, and he’s all the time concerned with each play.”
Of his defensive expertise, Correa is proudest of his throwing accuracy, particularly when the play places him off steadiness or in one other type of tight spot. López seconded this, recalling a play Correa made to throw out Bo Bichette on the plate within the 2023 postseason.
Correa is best than most, however having to be anyplace and in all places must be in each shortstop’s plan.
“After we observe staff protection, staff fundamentals in spring coaching, the shortstops are concerned in each single play,” López mentioned. “Bunt performs, they’re working the performs. First-and-thirds. Pickoffs and rundowns. Cutoffs and relays. Pop-fly precedence. They’ve a number of obligations, and you need to be a fairly good athlete to play shortstop.”
López simply turned 29 years outdated, so his reminiscence goes again so far as Rodríguez, Jeter and Garciaparra main the shortstop pack 20 years in the past. Pretty, he would lean towards these guys as being the perfect of current historical past. However the depth at shortstop immediately makes him surprise about who ought to come subsequent.
“At the moment, perhaps different groups didn’t have, like, a famous person at brief, perhaps that they had somebody that was extremely good defensively,” López mentioned. “However now the shortstops usually are not simply good defensively, they’re good base runners, they will produce on the plate. Take a look at Francisco Lindor, who can hit 30-plus homers, and is having such an excellent profession. Bobby Witt with Kansas Metropolis. I believe it’s a place that you really want your finest athlete to be in.”
Correa turned 30 this previous season, however a decade in the past was once the place Witt and Henderson at the moment are: thought to be the obvious way forward for the place. Enjoying for the Houston Astros, Correa left the chute averaging simply over 6 fWAR in his first three seasons. It didn’t take lengthy for accidents to begin consuming at his time on the sphere, notably with persistent again issues starting in 2018. Correa additionally had a surgically repaired ankle that prompted the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets to again out of free-agent contract gives. The ankle hasn’t appeared to trouble him since becoming a member of the Twins in 2022, however Correa both misplaced effectiveness (in 2023) or misplaced time (in 2024) on account of plantar fasciitis in each toes. It’s why he incessantly trains sporting nothing on his toes.
Carlos Correa takes nice lengths, together with coaching barefoot, to maintain his heels wholesome after bouts with plantar fasciitis in each of his toes. Photograph by David Brown.
Correa takes intensive precautions to maintain his heels able to play, however he’s additionally an abject instance in how taking part in the sport can beat you up bodily. Correa would like to play lengthy sufficient to be thought of for the Corridor of Fame, however doesn’t know if he might stand (emotionally) to be away from his household that lengthy to make Cooperstown a extra real looking risk.
He ranks thirty first on Jay Jaffe’s JAWS listing of shortstops and possibly wants 20-25 extra WAR to slip into the perfect place. 4 or 5 nice seasons might do it. 4 or 5 is loads once you’re 30 years outdated and have Correa’s harm historical past.
Nonetheless, he’s youthful than Seager, youthful than Lindor,youthful than Mookie and youthful than Trea.
“If I had been to play to 40, I believe it could be an excellent dialog to have,” Correa mentioned. “The method and grind are what excites me in regards to the recreation, proper? Outcomes will come, however the grind is what retains me going. On the similar time, how lengthy do you need to play the place you’re sacrificing your loved ones, proper? And for me, household is the one factor that I’ve on the high of my listing.”
Henderson’s journey is nearer to the start, however he appreciates being within the firm of a number of the finest shortstops of all time. Henderson is working to be talked about with them.
“Yeah, it’s a number of nice guys, nice gamers with completely different strategies of getting ready,” Henderson mentioned. “That’s one of many neatest issues about attending to know all of them, is seeing the alternative ways they practice to be the perfect. Alternative ways of going about it, however the identical aim to be the most effective.”
