Shortstops: Early Top-10 for 2014

Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

What good is fantasy baseball if not for wild speculation?!? It’s only November but we’re going to give you a list of the Top 10 fantasy baseball shortstops for 2014!

But weep not for quality fantasy baseball journalism, dear Crackerjack readers, for I’ll share my rationale, even if off-season developments will surely make this list irrelevant after the Hot Stove season.

1. Hanley Ramirez He seems locked in with the Dodgers. His numbers in a partial season last year were fantastic. He and Yasiel Puig might be crazy, but they have talent and are fun to watch. We compare him to Tulo here.
2. Troy Tulowitzki Even with a DL stint or two, he’s better in 120 games than most shortstops. I don’t draft him on my teams because of the risk involved, but I understand why many owners do. We compare him to Hanley here.
3. Ian Desmond  Desmond has been at least a .280 BA, 70 R, 20 HR, 70 RBI, and 20 SB player over the past two seasons. That’s over over 1200 PA to prove he’ll provide great numbers across the board in roto and at a thin fantasy position.  A 20/20 season is more scarce than you think, so to get that a thin position is worth a bit of a reach. We profile him here.
4. Jose Reyes He had a down season last year, but he still has the talent to be a top shortstop in 2014.
5. Jean Segura I think he’ll be over drafted in 2014, but even with his homers dropping below 10, he won’t lose the speed.
6. Elvis Andrus Careful, his 40 steals in 2013 were a career high Expect regression. We profile him here.
7. Everth Cabrera His average last year will drop back down, placing him below Andrus. Still, Cabrera gets 40 steals easily.
8. Andrelton Simmons This says more about the lack of depth at the position, but I do think there is some upside in his bat. We profile him here.
9. Jed Lowrie He showed what he can do if he stays on the field.
10. Xander Bogaerts He’s talented enough to crack the top 10 in his first full season.

Just missed: Jonathan Villar has speed, but his high K rate keeps him out of the top 10. Alcides Escobar also has speed but he can’t get on base and as a result is stuck in the #9 position of the lineup, limiting his runs. Starlin Castro might be worth a flyer if just to see if he can regain form (We profile him here.). Jurickson Profar could crack the top 10 if only his playing time were settled.