Sports · MLB shortstops Generated Sep 8, 2026
Saved snapshot · 2026-08-13

Best MLB Shortstops — 2026-08-13 Snapshot

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Saved 2026-08-13 snapshot, not a live ranking. A consensus-style ranking of MLB shortstops right now, balancing 2026 performance with established all-around value and defensive impact.

FACT MODEA saved dated comparison, not a live standings, injury, roster, or fantasy update. Scores and votes are retained from the original selection.
01
Kansas City Royals

Bobby Witt Jr.

Witt combines elite speed, power, defense, and durability, making him the strongest all-around shortstop choice right now.

Multiple supplied rankings identify Witt as the leading shortstop, while 2026 coverage highlights his stolen-base leadership and continued 20-homer, 30-steal production.
96
0 votes
02
New York Mets

Francisco Lindor

Lindor remains a polished two-way shortstop whose power, baserunning, defense, and sustained production keep him among the position’s safest elite choices.

Supplied rankings repeatedly place Lindor near the top and cite his 30-homer, 85-RBI, stolen-base capability, positive OAA, and broad defensive range.
93
0 votes
03
Cincinnati Reds

Elly De La Cruz

De La Cruz offers rare power and speed with improving production, giving him one of baseball’s highest ceilings and most disruptive all-around profiles.

Supplied 2026 coverage credits De La Cruz with a strong OPS, 22 home runs, and league-leading shortstop stolen-base impact, while multiple rankings place him near the top.
93
0 votes
04
Baltimore Orioles

Gunnar Henderson

Henderson’s current season has been uneven, but his exceptional two-way ceiling and established recent WAR keep him firmly in the top tier.

Supplied sources note Henderson’s 6.1, 8.8, and 5.4 WAR seasons before 2026, plus current struggles and continued top-seven shortstop value by fWAR.
90
0 votes
05
Philadelphia Phillies

Trea Turner

Turner brings a high offensive floor, speed, and veteran consistency, though his current-season start trails the younger stars above him.

Supplied sources cite Turner’s 2025.812 OPS, 36 steals, and 6.7 fWAR, while current coverage says he has struggled to open 2026 but remains among MLB’s best.
89
0 votes
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HOW ALL FIVE SCORED

The five criteria create the AI baseline. The community adjustment is then added or subtracted to produce the current published score.

Keep the criteria fixedSwipe to compare all five →
Criterion#1Bobby Witt Jr.#2Francisco Lindor#3Elly De La Cruz#4Gunnar Henderson#5Trea Turner
9492938889
9894949389
9496889185
10089998795
9495919189
AI baseline scoreWeighted criteria result95.993.293.090.089.1
Community adjustmentVote-share influence0.00.00.00.00.0
Current published scoreBaseline + community9693939089
#1

Bobby Witt Jr.

96/100
AI baseline95.9
Community0.0
Published96
#2

Francisco Lindor

93/100
AI baseline93.2
Community0.0
Published93
#3

Elly De La Cruz

93/100
AI baseline93.0
Community0.0
Published93
#4

Gunnar Henderson

90/100
AI baseline90.0
Community0.0
Published90
#5

Trea Turner

89/100
AI baseline89.1
Community0.0
Published89
Offense · 30%Overall offensive production and run creation.

HOW ALL FIVE SCORED

The five criteria create the AI baseline. The community adjustment is then added or subtracted to produce the current published score.

Keep the criteria fixedSwipe to compare all five →
Criterion#1Bobby Witt Jr.#2Francisco Lindor#3Elly De La Cruz#4Gunnar Henderson#5Trea Turner
9492938889
9894949389
9496889185
10089998795
9495919189
AI baseline scoreWeighted criteria result95.993.293.090.089.1
Community adjustmentVote-share influence0.00.00.00.00.0
Current published scoreBaseline + community9693939089
#1

Bobby Witt Jr.

96/100
AI baseline95.9
Community0.0
Published96
#2

Francisco Lindor

93/100
AI baseline93.2
Community0.0
Published93
#3

Elly De La Cruz

93/100
AI baseline93.0
Community0.0
Published93
#4

Gunnar Henderson

90/100
AI baseline90.0
Community0.0
Published90
#5

Trea Turner

89/100
AI baseline89.1
Community0.0
Published89
Offense · 30%Overall offensive production and run creation.

COMPARE TWO CONTENDERS

Choose any two contenders.
We’ll line up what matters.

CONTENDER
Kansas City Royals

Bobby Witt Jr.

96
New York Mets

Francisco Lindor

93
Team
Kansas City Royals
New York Mets
Primary position
Shortstop
Shortstop
Offensive profile
Power and speed
Power and contact
Defensive profile
Elite
Plus range and hands
Baserunning profile
30-steal capability
30-steal capability
Kansas City Royals

Bobby Witt Jr.

96/100
New York Mets

Francisco Lindor

93/100

Team

Kansas City Royals

New York Mets

Primary position

Shortstop

Shortstop

Offensive profile

Power and speed

Power and contact

Defensive profile

Elite

Plus range and hands

Baserunning profile

30-steal capability

30-steal capability

THE RECEIPTS,
NOT THE MYSTERY.

Scores combine current production, recent value, defense, baserunning, and consistency, with current performance weighted most heavily. Consensus across supplied MLB, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, and other editorial rankings informed the order.

01Offense
30
02Overall value
25
03Defense
20
04Baserunning
15
05Consistency
10
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