Each week, the Assembly will put together their positional rankings for keeper leagues. We are looking at player values for 2014, 2015 and 2016. These rankings are more of a middle ground between Jim's 2014 Rankings and Peter's Dynasty Rankings, which represent the next 5-7 years. For your standard keeper leagues, these are your best rankings to gauge your Shortstop values.
JIMI: Awesome when healthy. His average of 121 games played over 7 seasons is the only question mark.
TOMMY: Not for the faint of heart, but Tulo's upside at a scarce position is quite valuable. He is only 29 and in the midst of his prime.
PETER: He has great power, is a career .300 hitter, and will have ample opportunities to drive in and score runs in an All-Star laden Dodgers lineup.
TOMMY: His 2013 production returned to a super-elite level, but can he stay on the field? He has appeared in fewer than 100 games in 2 of his last 3 seasons and his production was disappointing in 2011 and 2012 when he was in the line-up.
JIM: Good average and speed with double digit pop and not even in his prime yet.
TOMMY: When he plays, he is elite. Health concerns are very real for the 30 year old SS. The turf in Toronto doesn't help matters either.
KEVIN: You simply can't expect 40 SB on turf, but if healthy he's still a producer.
JIM: Another strong year and he could challenge Tulowitzki for the top spot.
JIMI: Still has room for improvement. Look for .280+, 20-25 HRs, 80-90 RBIs.
JIMI: 3 year average of 90 Runs, 30 SBs. Finished strong over final 10 weeks.
TOMMY: Andrus is still only 25. Although he lacks power, his ability to run and score in the Ranger's offense makes him a valuable asset.
PAUL: He's got discipline, power, hit tool and youth. Future #1 SS; if he starts season in Boston could be top 5 in first year.
JIMI: He should get starting job in '14. Great upside here.
TOMMY: Hardy tied Tulo for most HRs among SS eligible hitters in 2013. He doesn't steal or hit for a high average, but he is another good SS bargain.
PETER: In 95 games, he had stolen 37 bases, which at the time was among the league leaders.
PAUL: If he can sustain his huge increase in contact rate from 2013, there's some value here. But he has zero power and no supporting cast, leaving him as a one trick pony.
KEVIN: Remember he didn't get much minors time, and a high contact rate means BA can improve; could break out with .280/15/15 in 2014.
JIM: His glove got him a job but I think it will be a few more years before his bat steadies enough to be useful in H2H leagues.
TOMMY: 2013 was an epic fail, but Castro still has youth on his side. If he can improve his approach at the plate, he has the talent to be an elite SS. For now though, he is a risky upside play.
PETER: The Cubs would be wise to give him more time to develop, and fantasy owners should do the same.
JIMI: 2013 was career year. 80 Runs, 75 RBIs were pleasant surprise.
JIM: Shaky track record but a better risk than and more upside than the players listed below.
JIMI: Has fallen from top tier SS. Look for a bounce back in production in '14.
PAUL: I can't even remember Asrubal being fantasy-relevant.
PETER: As he hits his mid 30s, Jimmy Rollins will still steal 20+ bases, pop double digit home runs, drive in 50-60 runs and score 80.
JIM: He might have one good year left in him, but a 35 year old shortstop on the decline is no place to put your money.
PAUL: Rookie SS did some good things in 2013. Could hit 15 home runs and steal 10 bases. Less upside than some, but should be solid for this 3 year period.
KEVIN: Won't be amazing, but he'll get the job done, and likely for cheap due to SEA obscurity.
JIMI: Has changed from power to speed. Career low 6 HRs with career high 30 SBs for 2013.
KEVIN: High SB offset drop in power, but I'm backing off due to many red flags.
PETER: While his power numbers are down, Peralta still has the potential to deliver 20 HR and drive in 80.
TOMMY: Peralta is a FA this winter, but he can still hit. If he lands in a good spot, he will be a solid MI value. It is hard to imagine a better situation than Detroit, however.
JIM: There's no upside here, but he won't kill your team.
KEVIN: If he's not at top of LAA lineup, far less value due to declining speed.
PETER: Drew will hit around .250, with 12-15 homers and a few steals.
JIMI: Not sure where he will play in '14. But a nice bat at the SS position.
KEVIN: New manager in CIN could let him run, and a 15/15 year still possible if they keep him out of leadoff.
JIM: Still useful if he's hitting near the top of the lineup, but not somebody I would want.
TOMMY: He is the SS of the future in Detroit. His glove is as good as any in the game, so he will get everyday ABs in one of the best line-ups out there. What he lacks in power and speed, he could make up for with good contact and run production.
PAUL: Not a lot of offensive upside, but he should start every day in a very productive lineup. There's value in that from the MI slot.
KEVIN: Went from high BABIP in 2012 to low BABIP in 2013; a middle ground nets 25+ SB with a BA you can live with.
TOMMY: Looking for cheap steals from your SS? Escobar is your man.
PETER: I have Villar climbing the ranks for the next seasons. The 22-year old may have struggled to hit (.243 AVG) but when he got on base, he stole 18 bases in 58 games.
JIM: You should be scouring the minors if he's your shortstop.
JIM: He will start the year in the minors but is someone to lock up now. May have to move to second or outfield if Castro comes around.
I would have thought Baez would be higher considering the 2015 and 2016 outlook. Would they move him up (at 2B) sometime next year? They seem to be fast tracking him.
I'm pretty sure the low or non ranking of Baez is due to the uncertainty of 1. when will they actually bring him up and 2. what position will he play. I would have him right outside the top 10 if he was guaranteed the shortstop job.
LOL, thanks for the correction on Drew.
Great points as always, Kyle.
I can't speak for the others, but I am not ranking prospects here unless their call up projects to be in the first half of 2014. I think Baez probably has more keeper value than many of the players who were ranked higher, but the logic I use to justify it is that the prospect ranks compliment these ranks.
If you are going into a long term keeper or dynasty draft, you would be advised to have a good feel for both lists.
Baez is second on the prospects top shortstop list.