Young shortstops are among the games biggest stars, and in recent years it seemed as though almost every season produced another outstanding rookie SS and fantasy baseball favorite at the position (Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager, etc.). Top prospects Fernando Tatis, Jr. () and Bo Bichette (No. 15) could continue that trend this year, although they probably wont open the season in the majors. Still, these are names that all Dynasty/Keeper leaguers should already know, and those in re-draft leagues need to have them on their radars, too.
While fantasy owners wait for Tatis Jr. and Bichette, there are a few other rookie shortstops who could break camp as starters for their respective clubs.
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MLB Top Prospects: SSThe Padres Luis Urias () played mostly second base last season, but this year hes poised to be San Diegos opening day shortstop. Urias has struggled with plate discipline in his brief time in the majors, and he looked a bit out of sync when I saw him in spring training. Hes also been battling a hamstring i sue, although the club appears to believe hell be healthy by the time the season starts. https://www.mivikingsapparel.com/camryn-bynum-jerseys At his best, Urias has great hand-eye coordination and good pitch recognition, which have allowed him to walk almost as much as hes struck out in his pro career. This spring, I think hes simply been anxious and has tried to do too much. Once he settles down, he should return to form. He doesnt have much power or speed, but his pure hitting tools and on-base skills mean he should hit for average and score runs while batting near the top of the San Diego lineup.
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Richie Martin, whom the Orioles selected in the 2018 Rule 5 draft, could very well open the year as Baltimores starting shortstop. Martin, who has underwhelmed as a pro after an excellent collegiate career, broke out last year in Double-A with the Athletics before being selected first overall in Decembers Rule 5 draft. The rebuilding Orioles have an incentive to give him regular playing time because theyll need to return him to the As if he doesnt remain on Baltimores major league roster. Martin has competed well this spring and looks like a new hitter compared to his early days with Oakland. Hes now using his lower body more effectively than he did earlier in his pro career, which has allowed him to stay more under control and drive the ball with more authority. He probably wont ever develop much power, but he has the bat speed, plate discipline, and hand-eye coordination to hit https://www.mivikingsapparel.com/c-j-ham-jerseys .275 with a few home runs while also swiping 15-plus bases.
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Kevin Newman is competing to be the Pirates starting shortstop. He hasnt hit very well this spring, but his competition, Erik Gonzalez, has been even worse. With roughly a dozen games left in Grapefruit League play, theres still time for Newman to turn things around. At his https://www.mivikingsapparel.com/korey-stringer-jerseys best Newman makes lots of contact and sprays line drives around the field. He doesnt have the leverage or swing path to hit for power, but he has solid pitch recognition and good hand-eye coordination which will allow him to hit for average. Newman probably isnt the long-term answer for the Pirates at short, but if he does emerge as the starter, he should hit for average and steal 15-plusbags over a full season.
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Fernando Tatis Jr. wont be on the Padres opening day roster, but he could make his big league debut sometime around midseason. Only 20, Tatis is a precocious talent who is still learning to harne s his abundant tools. Last season, Tatis fractured his thumb in the midst of an impre sive showing at Double-A and mi sed the last part of the year. This spring he hasnt shown any rust as hes blistered Cactus League pitching for a .696 slugging percentage through the first half of spring training. Hell need to tighten his plate discipline to succeed against advanced pitching, but he has the hand-eye coordination to hit for a solid average. His elite bat speed and excellent leverage allow him to generate plus power while his athleticism is more than sufficient to stick at shortstop. If he can improve his plate discipline, he profiles as a future star who could hit for average with 25- https://www.mivikingsapparel.com/xavier-woods-jerseys 30 home runs and 15-20 stolen bases in the majors.
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Toronto'sBo Bichette is another electric young talent who could arrive in the majors later this season. Hes looked great when Ive seen him this spring, and hes been the Blue Jays best hitter through the first half of Grapefruit League action. Bichette sometimes gets a bad rap for his aggre sive swing mechanics and emotional demeanor, but hes actually a very smart, controlled hitter with an excellent work ethic. At the plate, Bichette maintains great balance and a direct swing path even with his large leg kick. In the at-bats Ive seen this spring hes been more consistent and hes shown improved pitch recognition. Despite his small stature he has outstanding bat speed, above-average raw power, and an ability to drive the ball out of the park to all fields. Hes worked hard to make himself an average defensive shortstop, and he should stick at the six even though he profiles better at second due to average range and an average arm. Once he gets a big league shot he has the skills to hit for average, stroke 20-plus home runs, and steal 15-20 bags.