Top 20 Fantasy Baseball Shortstops Rankings 2026

4. Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles

His power production fell off a cliff last year, but that was par for the course for Baltimore in general. This stud didn’t forget how to hit and he should be available at a decent discount after the disappointment of 2025. His ground ball rate went up, his barrel rate went down, but his hard hit rate was still very solid. Everything went wrong with the Orioles in 2025, but this kid still has elite talent and is only 24 and he stole a career-high 30 bases. Buy the dip big time with him for the upcoming year.

5. Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies

At 32, he isn’t quite the player that he once was, but that doesn’t still mean he isn’t very good. Most importantly, Turner is a big plus in two of the more difficult categories, stolen bases and batting average. He even won the batting title in the National League last year. His power numbers aren’t dreadful, but you’d love to see him get back to at least near, if not over 20, instead of the 15 dingers he hit in 2025. He is on the back side of his career, but the cliff isn’t coming yet, and Turner should have another very productive season.

6. Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers

The decline for Betts is undeniable as his power numbers have halved in the past couple of seasons, and last year his stolen bases did as well despite playing 34 more games in 2025. However, like Turner, just because his skills are diminishing, doesn’t mean he is bad. He just isn’t 2022-23 Betts. The batting average is the biggest concern. His hard hit rate is down, his barrels are down, but his contact rate has stayed steady, which gives us hope he can get back to the .280s. He hit nearly .290 in August and nearly .300 in September, so there is reason to believe in a bounceback.

Tier 3: Solid Mid-Tier & Value Picks

7. Corey Seager, Texas Rangers

He missed 60 games between some hamstring injuries and then a season-ending appendectomy, but Seager still found a way to hit 20 home runs for the fourth straight year. The only real downside with Seager is that he isn’t going to run at all. Like he has 21 stolen bases in an 11-year career bad. Health has also always been something he has struggled with as he has played over 125 games just twice since 2018. He is a borderline plus in batting average, he has been a consistent power source his entire career, and he will score and drive in close to 90 runs as long as he stays on the field.

8. Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels

He has had a quick ascension through the fantasy ranks in his short career, and Neto seems on the brink of a 30/30 season if he can stay healthy. It isn’t all rainbows and fireworks though with Neto. He walked just 33 times in 554 plate appearances while striking out 149 times in 2025. His batting average and on base percentages are borderline drains. Despite batting leadoff, he doesn’t score as many runs as he should because he is on an awful team. The positives far outweigh the negatives, but if you look deeper than the home runs and steals there are some warts.

9. Jacob Wilson, Athletics

His batting average and contact skills are enough to keep him a reasonably valuable commodity at a rough position. His barrel rate and hard-hit rate say he did what he should have with 13 home runs, but his Minor League stats suggest there could be a little more pop to come. He lost time to a fractured arm, which could have also hampered his output. He is a guy I might be higher on than most. Would love to see him run more, but the elite batting average and decent pop make him a top ten guy at the position.

10. CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals

It was yet another season where he got off to a scorching start just to watch it fall away in a disappointing end to the year. He still finished one home run away from his third straight 20/30 season with a reasonable enough batting average and above average runs scored. He will hit in an advantageous spot in the batting order and Abrams has shown flashes of greatness. It is kind of a make-or-break year if he will join the elites or just be what he has been. Either way, he has plenty of fantasy value.

11. Jeremy Pena, Houston Astros

He missed time with a fractured rib and a separate instance of a strained oblique, but Pena again had a really strong year. He had career bests in batting average and stolen bases, and his numbers extrapolated over a full season would have likely given him a career-best in home runs as well. He doesn’t walk a ton but doesn’t strike out a ton either, and his contact rate is very strong. You’d love to see a little more power from him, but overall Pena is a very nice and consistent guy at shortstop who gives you solid help in all five categories.

12. Willy Adames, San Francisco Giants

A ridiculously slow start in San Francisco made it seem like 2025 would be lost but he rebounded to have a fairly similar stat line by the end of the season. Red flags include a batting average that dropped by 25 points, stolen bases were nearly in half and he drove in 25 fewer runs. A repeat of 2024 performance seems like fool’s gold, but Adames is far from washed. His batting average will likely be a drain, but the power and the run producing ability keeps him very relevant. Given his career, a return to 20+ stolen bases seems very unlikely, but overall he is still a very competent player at the position.

13. Bo Bichette, New York Mets

Outside of his injury-riddled 2024, Bichette has hit over .290 in every season of his career, including a career-high tying .311 last season. His plate discipline is top notch, which helps in OBP leagues even more or points leagues where you lose for strikeouts. He fell just short of 20 home runs last season, but also did miss 23 games, so perhaps health can get him back there. He has only stolen 14 bases in the last three seasons combined so he isn’t going to help you there. The shortstop position has gotten deeper of late so Bichette isn’t as valuable as in the past, but he is still a rock-solid contributor. Heading to the Mets he will be looked upon to make up for some of the offense that left in free agency in trades. I wouldn’t be surprised if his batting average fell some and he tried harder in the power department.

14. Geraldo Perdomo, Arizona Diamondbacks

His barrel rate was ridiculous last season and that can explain why he went from 14 home runs in 1400 career plate appearances to 20 home runs in a single season. The question is can he do it again, and obviously by this ranking I am not expecting a repeat performance. His hard-hit rate did not suggest 20 home runs, and his exit velocity wasn’t super strong either. I don’t think that he will regress down to five home runs, but he might not reach the teens. He is a plus at batting average and should steal 20 bases, but expecting 20 home runs or anything near 100 RBI when he hits at the top of a somewhat anemic Diamondbacks lineup doesn’t appear to be a recipe for fantasy success in 2026.

15. Masyn Winn, St. Louis Cardinals

A torn meniscus certainly didn’t help his 2025 numbers, and Winn has to be considered a disappointment last season. A former second-round pick, Winn has shown to be a Wiz at shortstop but hasn’t quite translated to big fantasy success yet. He did hit 18 home runs at Triple-A and 15 in 2024 in St. Louis, so he does have more power potential. It isn’t out of the realm of possibility for him to go 20/20, but 15/20 seems more likely and he isn’t going to kill your batting average.

16. Colson Montgomery, Chicago White Sox

He hit the majors like a house of fire and bombed 21 home runs in just 284 plate appearances. The problem is he struck out around 30% of the time and became sort of an all-or-nothing type of player. The poor plate discipline also existed in the minors so this isn’t likely a guy adjusting to a new level. There’s certainly nothing wrong with a guy who will give you 25+ home runs at shortstop but just be prepared for the batting average and stolen base drain.

17. Brooks Lee, Minnesota Twins

He has seriously struggled with his batting average in the Majors, but his contact rate and solid averages in the minors gives me hopes for improvement in the future. I’m not sure if there is much more power than the 16 home runs he propelled last season, but there’s hope for a little more. He is just 25 years old and a former first-round pick, give him a shot as your middle infielder and at cost he could pay off.

18. Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs

His atrocious batting eye and disappointing 2024 keep him from being higher on this list, but Swanson rebounded nicely last year with his first 20/20 season of his career. However, the 168 strikeouts to just 47 walks is hard to ignore, as is a third straight season with a batting average in the .240s. He feels old for a guy who turns 32 in February, and he is not the player he once was. Repeating last season’s stats seems unlikely, but even if it is 80% of those numbers he still has value.

19. Trevor Story, Boston Red Sox

After largely being written off as a guy who couldn’t stay healthy, Story shocked the world last season and played 157 games. He showed when he is still on the field, he can be a force with 25 home runs and 31 steals. However, his strikeout-to-walk ratio is abysmal, and he played six fewer games in 2025 than he had played the previous three seasons combined. He is just 33 years old but has an injury track record a mile long. If you are a gambler, Story can be had for less than he is worth as a healthy player so roll the dice if you are so inclined.

20. Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres

He lost the last month of the season with injury, and he was having a pretty fine season. I don’t think we will see him get near the 20-home run plateau anymore, and his batting average has been on a slow decline for half a decade. Bogaerts can still get it done on the basepaths and can be a plus there. He isn’t going to wow you in any single category, but he doesn’t completely crush you in any either. He is on the wrong side of his prime, so the bottom could drop out, but signs don’t point to that being this year.

Conclusion

There are even more exciting players on the way at shortstop as the Tigers will likely call up Kevin McGonigle at some point, Konnor Griffin could arrive in Pittsburgh, and while its more likely at third base, JJ Wetherholt will likely be shortstop eligible in leagues in 2026. What in the world do we expect from Anthony Volpe this year? He was highly touted and came into the league with a flash, but his inability to put the bat on the ball has taken some of his shine. However, the potential is still there. And if you are the conservative type, there are veterans like J.P. Crawford and Zach McKinstry who can give you some value, but you probably don’t want to count on them for the whole season.

People Also Ask

Who is the top fantasy shortstop for 2026?
Bobby Witt Jr. leads with elite power, speed, and all-category consistency.

Where does Elly De La Cruz rank in 2026 fantasy SS?
No. 2 for his explosive speed/power upside at age 24.

Is Francisco Lindor still elite in 2026 fantasy?
Yes, near 30/30 potential and strong OBP keep him high-end.

How deep is shortstop in 2026 fantasy baseball?
Very deep with elites, young talent, and reliable vets for flexibility in drafts.

Should I draft shortstop early in 2026?
Yes for elites like Witt or Chisholm, or wait for value if addressing shallower positions.