Update Rankings (May 8): Top 15 Shortstops: Don’t Downgrade Correa Too Far & More

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

We are over a month into the season so there have obviously been changes to our preseason rankings.  Who has shown signs of improving?  Who has struggled and thus has a cloudier outlook?  Let’s take a look at how things currently stand (Note: The number in parenthesis represents the player’s ranking in our final draft guide update):

1. Manny Machado – Baltimore Orioles (1)
2. Trea Turner – Washington Nationals (NR)
3. Francisco Lindor – Cleveland Indians (3)
4. Carlos Correa – Houston Astros (2)
5. Corey Seager – Los Angeles Dodgers (6)
6. Xander Bogaerts – Boston Red Sox (5)
7. Jean Segura – Seattle Mariners (8)
8. Trevor Story – Colorado Rockies (4)
9. Jonathan Villar – Milwaukee Brewers (7)
10. Chris Owings – Arizona Diamondbacks (NR)
11. Addison Russell – Chicago Cubs (10)
12. Elvis Andrus – Texas Rangers (12)
13. Aledmys Diaz – St. Louis Cardinals (14)
14. Zack Cozart – Cincinnati Reds (NR)
15. Eduardo Nunez – San Francisco Giants (13)

Currently on the DL:

• Marcus Semien – Oakland A’s (9)
• Troy Tulowitzki – Toronto Blue Jays (11)

Notes:

• The only reason Trea Turner wasn’t on our preseason rankings was because he only played 2 games at shortstop last season. With the eligibility already met, he’s obviously among the best options in the league.
• It’s been a disappointing start for Carlos Correa, with the biggest issue coming in his lack of power. At the same time he’s actually increased his fly ball rate (27.4% to 37.2%), which will ultimately lead to more home runs (9.4% HR/FB, compared to a career mark of 18.4%).  There is going to be a “breakout” coming, so now may be the time to kick the tires and see if you can get him on the cheap.
• We had our concerns about Corey Seager entering the season, but thus far he’s shown an improvement in his SwStr% (11.3% to 9.1%). Couple that with hitting the ball hard (21.3% line drive rate) and maintaining his power stroke (15.6% HR/FB) and there’s suddenly a lot to like.  He has the potential to jump even higher on these rankings, rising as high as #3 if he continues on this pace.
• Trevor Story is clearly trying to hit for power, as his fly ball rate sits at a gaudy 65.5% and he’s swinging and missing a ton (15.6 SwStr%). With those numbers his value has to plummet until he stops acting homer happy.
• Chris Owings is going to hold value, but does anyone believe he’ll maintain a 30.5% line drive rate or 23.8% HR/FB? We can’t thrust him any higher than #10, though that doesn’t mean he isn’t worth owning.

Make sure to check out all of our updated rankings: