Diamondbacks: Who Will Be The Starting Shortstop?

By Bill Pivetz | Mar 17, 2017

Aug 13, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Chris Owings (16) reacts after striking out against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

The Diamondbacks have three options at shortstop. One is not good, the second is lighting up Spring Training and the third may start in the minors.

The Arizona Diamondbacks traded for Seattle Mariners shortstop Ketel Marte in exchange for second baseman/shortstop Jean Segura this offseason. Though, Arizona already had two shortstops on the roster, Nick Ahmed and Chris Owings. With no clear option, which player will stand out and take the starting job?

Ahmed started the most games at shortstop with 80, Owings had 65 and Segura just 17. Manager Chip Hale should have changed up the alignment because Ahmed did not benefit those around him when he played.

Ahmed .218/.265/.299 with four home runs and 20 RBI. If he was on any other team, he likely wouldn’t have made 80 starts. He did undergo season-ending hip surgery last August.

More from Fantasy Baseball

Owings, along with his time at shortstop, made 47 starts in center field. He hit .277/.315.,416 with five homers, 49 RBI and 21 steals. The Diamondbacks have enough power that having Owings’ contact and speed would be a nice complement.

New acquisition Marte played in 119 games with the Mariners. Similar to Arizona, Seattle has enough power between Kyle Seager, Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz. Marte hit .259/.287/.323 with one home run, 33 RBI and 11 steals. He recorded 113 hits and just 18 walks. If he was a little more patient at the plate, hit OBP could have been over .300.

Things may become a bit clearer after the recent news. Nick Piecoro of AZ Central reported that the Diamondbacks may move on from the now-healthy shortstop.

"They (sources) say the Diamondbacks have shown a willingness to listen to offers on the defensive-minded Ahmed, who, by all accounts, has looked healthy in his return from hip surgery. They say Owings appears to have the leg up on the everyday shortstop job."

It’s interesting to hear that because of his poor performance last season. His spring numbers aren’t helping the Diamondbacks’ case to trade him. In 36 at-bats, he is hitting .250 with eight RBI and a 7:1 K:BB ratio.

His shortstop competitors are hitting a lot better. Owings is hitting .371/.405/.629 with two homers, eight RBI and 3:2 K:BB ratio in 35 at-bats. Marte, in 37 ABs, has a .270 average with one home run and six RBI.

In my shortstop rankings, I had Marte ranked in the 20s and left the other two off. That will now be adjusted to accommodate Owings’ great spring and the trade rumors.

Next: Can you buy into Yoenis Cespedes' spring numbers?

If you are in an NL-only league or looking for a deep sleeper in standard leagues, Owings looks to be that guy. He’ll hit a couple of home runs, but you’re not drafting him for power. He spent a majority of 2016 hitting in the bottom third of the order. Owings will get his fair share of RBI chances and will get on base.

If the Diamondbacks don’t get any suitors for Ahmed, expect him to be the backup with Marte spending most of the year in Triple-A.

Home/Fantasy Baseball