The Best Shortstops in the AL West
Our next stop around the diamond takes us to one of the most critical defensive positions in baseball, shortstop.
For the first time in this series the Oakland Athletics don’t have a player in the top-3.
Typically considered a defense-first position, shortstops across major league baseball are taking a more offensive-minded approach.
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However, in the American League west there is much more offensive upside than there is a track record of success from shortstops.
Here are the best shortstops in the AL west:
1. Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers – In six big league seasons Andrus is a .272 hitter with nearly 200 stolen bases. It is safe to say power is not on his resume. He has eclipsed 30 stolen bases four times, and even has one season with more than 40. However, his wRC+ over his career is a paltry 84, which is around 20 points less than some other offensively-inclined shortstops in baseball. Andrus’ defense – along with his contract – are what keep him in the lineup daily, if his speed isn’t contributing exactly to the team’s liking. In four of his six career seasons at shortstop Andrus has earned positive defensive runs saved marks, and has amassed 21 career DRS. He is a two-time all star and a former AL rookie of the year runner up. Projected wins above replacement: 2.8
2. Erick Aybar, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – As much as it pains me to say this Erick Aybar is our number two shortstop. Since becoming a regular in Anaheim in 2009 Aybar has been one of baseball’s most consistent shortstops. He has four seasons with a wRC+ of 100 or better, six-straight seasons with 12 or more stolen bases, and has scored 67 runs or more in each of his full six seasons. Defensively he hasn’t hurt the Angels, but he hasn’t really excelled either. His DRS topped out at four in 2010, but bottomed out at -7 in 2013. He owns one gold glove award and landed his first all-star game nod in 2014. Projected WAR: 2.8
3. Jed Lowrie, Houston Astros – Lowrie appears at number three on this list over the next two simply because of his track record of offensive production. After five injury-plagued seasons with Boston and Houston, Lowrie found health with the Oakland Athletics. In 2013 with Oakland Lowrie posted a wRC+ of 120 by swatting 62 extra-base hits, batting .290, and driving in 75 runs. Last season he took a step back by batting .249 with only 40 extra-base hits, and a wRC+ of 93. He signed a free agent contract with the Astros and is penciled in as their starting shortstop, but could move off the position in the future which would be a good thing. His -32 career DRS and 29 errors combined between 2013 and 2014 show that he cannot handle full-time shortstop duties. Projected WAR: 1.9
4. Brad Miller, Seattle Mariners – Once one of the most promising middle infield prospect in baseball, Miller finds himself at a crossroads in his career. The Mariners are planning to contend and will need positive offensive production from the 25-year-old. A very successful half-season in Seattle in 2013 gave hope to the team that Miller could be the next great shortstop in baseball. However 2014 did not treat Miller so nicely. He batted .221 with a sub-.300 OBP, and a wRC+ of 86, thanks to his 10 home runs. He shows the ability to hit double-digit home runs and steal double-digit bases, but this year will have to be the year he can do that over a full season. Defensively he isn’t much. In a little more than a full season’s worth of innings a shortstop Miller has a DRS mark of -5. If he can hover around league average defensively and contribute above-average production offensively he will find himself atop this list quickly. Projected WAR: 2.2
5. Marcus Semien, Oakland Athletics – For the first time so far in this series and Athletic finds himself at the bottom of the list. Semien was acquired this offseason to play shortstop for Oakland despite not having logged significant innings there at the big league level. In the minor leagues he showed a great ability to get on base, plus a power-speed combination that can make him a star. He didn’t show those skills in the big leagues last season, however, with just six home runs, 3 stolen bases, and a .300 OBP in less than half a season. Defensively he is versatile, but hasn’t played enough games at shortstop to have a reputation either way yet. This spring he has shown the ability to handle the position well and has made all the plays he’ll need to be at least average. Projected WAR: 1.3