Ranking The Top MLB Shortstop Prospects, Breakout Stars Entering 2019

Image credit: Wander Franco (left, photo by Tony Farlow) and Fernando Tatis Jr. (right, photo by Bill Mitchell)

The graduations of Gleyber Torres, Willy Adames and, to a degree, J.P. Crawford take a little bit of wind out of the minor league shortstop crop. Still, shortstop remains the main position of strength for minor league prospects.

In all 16 shortstops made the BA Top 100 Prospects to open 2019, the most of any position. That includes five of the top 15, headlined by Padres wunderkind Fernando Tatis Jr., and a deep group that stretches all the way to the end of the list. Just outside the Top 100 are a half-dozen more shortstops who had a case to be on the BA Top 100, and many of them will rise on shortly.

While many of the top shortstop prospects may eventually move off the position—you can find scouts that believe Tatis, Wander Franco and Bo Bichette all will end up moving off of shortstop at some point—their bats are potent enough for them to be impactful no matter where they play. That impact, combined with the depth of the group, makes shortstop once again one of the best positions for prospects in the minors.

Rating: 4 of 5 starts

Previous 2019 position rankings:

Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
Wander Franco, Rays
Bo Bichette, Blue Jays
Royce Lewis, Twins
Brendan Rodgers, Rockies
Andres Gimenez, Mets
Gavin Lux, Dodgers
Carter Kieboom, Nationals
Jazz Chisholm, D-backs
Luis Garcia, Nationals
Oneil Cruz, Pirates
Garrett Hampson, Rockies
Luis Garcia, Phillies
Kevin Smith, Blue Jays
Isaac Paredes, Tigers
Ronny Mauricio, Mets
Nico Hoerner, Cubs
Wander Javier, Twins
Marco Luciano, Giants
Tyler Freeman, Indians
Anderson Tejeda, Rangers
Luis Rengifo, Angels
Cole Tucker, Pirates
Nicky Lopez, Royals
Brayan Rocchio, Indians
Kevin Newman, Pirates
Brice Turang, Brewers
Xavier Edwards, Padres
Mauricio Dubon, Brewers
Shervyen Newton, Mets
Yu Chang, Indians
Willi Castro, Tigers
Lucius Fox, Rays
Wenceel Perez, Tigers
Freudis Nova, Astros
Geraldo Perdomo, D-backs
Jorge Mateo, Athletics
Nick Gordon, Twins
Jose Devers, Marlins
Noelvi Marte, Mariners
Jeremiah Jackson, Angels
Miguel Hiraldo, Blue Jays
Tommy Edman, Cardinals
Owen Miller, Padres
Jeremy Eierman, Athletics

As part of our 2019 position rankings, BA staffers are picking one breakout prospect and one prospect they are concerned about at each position. Here are the selections for shortstop.

BEN BADLER

Breakout: Brayan Rocchio, Indians

There are all kinds of breakout candidates in this group beyond the players already in the Top 100. Wenceel Perez, Marco Luciano, Brice Turang, Noelvi Marte . . . but the best pure hitter of that group might be Brayan Rocchio. He just hits. He hit as an amateur, he hit in the Dominican Summer League, and he had no problem hitting at a high level when he jumped to the Rookie-level Arizona League last summer as a 17-year-old. He’s not that big and you’re not looking at any outstanding tools or explosive athleticism. But his swing, plate discipline and innate ability to barrel balls with high frequency are all attributes you want to see in a high-level hitter.

Red Flag: Jazz Chisholm, D-backs

I recognize the tools. Athletic shortstop, above-average runner, plus power. There’s a lot to like and a lot that’s going to jump out to you quickly when you see Chisholm person. Where I have more reservations on Chisholm is his swing and ability to make contact. That barrel is in and out of the hitting zone pretty quickly, and there’s a higher dose of swing-and-miss in the strike zone than I’d like to see, which led to a 30 percent strikeout rate last year. I’d have to see him make that adjustment with his contact frequency before I can buy in more.

KYLE GLASER

Breakout: Nico Hoerner, Cubs

Hoerner played only 14 games after signing due to injury, but he showed just how talented he is when he returned for the Arizona Fall League. Simply put, Hoerner was one of the best hitters in the AFL both statistically and visibly. With a balanced setup, a quick swing that makes a lot of contact, and the ability to take the ball where it’s pitched and drive it to all fields, Hoerner is in position to move quickly and join the long list of successful Cubs homegrown infielders. Even if he moves off of shortstop as some suspect, his bat will play.

Red Flag: Oneil Cruz, Pirates

Cruz is a rare bird at 6-foot-6 with deceptive athleticism to go with the expected huge raw power. That’s a good place to start, but finding and staying in an approach has long been a struggle and he really scuffled in the second half last year (.230/.277/.397) after pitchers started adjusting to him. The fact he’s not reliable enough at shortstop isn’t all that relevant because he doesn’t project to stick there. He’s going to go as far as his bat takes him, and his overall approach and ability to make counter-adjustments are big question marks.

JOSH NORRIS

Breakout: Cole Tucker, Pirates

After scuffling in the first half of the regular season, Tucker showed out in the second half and in the Arizona Fall League with a promising mix of contact, speed and defense. He’s had his career stalled at times by injuries, but he could use a strong fall to make a big push in 2019.

Red Flag: Isaac Paredes, Tigers

Paredes is already big enough that he’s in danger of moving off the position entirely, and he already has below-average range. He was excellent with the bat in 2018 given his age and league context, but his conditioning is a concern.