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MLB: Top 10 Shortstops In 2025

Kyle Amore

Published

6 days ago

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 30: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals in action against the New York Yankees at Kauffman Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

Here are the top 10 SS in MLB heading into the 2025 season:

1. Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 20: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals hits an infield single during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Kauffman Stadium on April 20, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)

The 24-year-old continues to get better. After a 2023 season that saw him slash .276/.319/.495 with 30 HR, 96 RBI, and 49 stolen bases, Bobby Witt Jr. put together an even better 2024 season slashing .332/.389/.588 with 32 HR, 109 RBI, and 31 stolen bases. After Shohei Ohtani, there is no better first-round fantasy baseball draft pick than Bobby Witt Jr. The Kansas City shortstop can be drafted with a projection of another .300+/.350+/.570 season with 30+ HR, 100+ RBI, and 30+ stolen bases.

2. Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 03: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on August 03, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Reds 5-3. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

Fantasy baseball players had high hopes choosing De La Cruz in last year’s drafts. The Reds shortstop didn’t disappoint, finishing with 25 HR, 76 RBI, and 67 stolen bases. The mind-boggling fact is De La Cruz produced these numbers while accumulating 218 strikeouts in 618 at-bats. He will need to cut down his strikeout totals but should once again be expected to slash .250+/.320+/.450+ with 25+ HR, 78 RBI, and 55+ steals. This production warrants his current 9.8 ADP.

3. Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 01: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a two-run ground-rule double in the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium on May 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Betts’ ability to carry SS/OF eligibility makes him one of the better first-round picks in fantasy baseball. Playing with one of the most potent MLB offenses, Betts had a disappointing 2024 season after suffering a hand fracture early into the season. This limited Betts to 116 games where he posted 19 home runs and 75 RBI. Before 2024, Betts had two straight seasons with 35+ HR, 80+ RBI, and 12+ steals. Barring any setbacks, Mookie Betts should be projected for close to 30 home runs, 95+ RBI, and 15-20 stolen bases.

4. Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JULY 19: Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates after scoring a run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 19, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Back-to-back seasons with 28+ HR and 82+ RBI, Gunnar Henderson enters 2025 as one of the best young fantasy shortstops. He doesn’t turn 24 years old until June, and the blossoming Baltimore superstar is ready to lead the up-and-coming Baltimore Orioles. The first-round pick should be drafted comfortably and projected to reach 35+ HR, 90+ RBI, and 15+ stolen bases.

5. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 26: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets reacts after scoring against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Citi Field on June 26, 2024 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Lindor’s first season in New York was a down year compared to his career averages. Since 2021, Lindor is averaging 30 HR, 98 RBI, and 25 stolen bases. Still in his prime, expect Lindor to have another monster season posting a .267/.340/.490 slash line with 30+ HR, 95+ RBI, and 20+ steals.

6. Corey Seager, Texas Rangers

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 01: Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers hits a single in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game Five of the World Series at Chase Field on November 01, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Seager joined Texas after six seasons with the Dodgers and has posted three straight seasons with 30+ HR, 74+ RBI, and a .772+ SLG. 2024 was a down year for Texas, but expect the Rangers to rebound from below .500 a season ago. Seager will once again lead the Rangers with 30+ HR, 90+ RBI, and a .530+ SLG.

7. Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 05: Trea Turner #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 05, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Turner suffered a hamstring injury early in 2024 but still produced solid numbers slashing .295/.338/.469 with 21 RBI, 62 RBI, 88 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases. Trea Turner turns 32 years old on June 30th and continues to hit for power while stealing bases. Projecting Turner to play 150+ games, fantasy owners should expect 20+ HR, 81+ RBI, 90+ runs scored, and 25+ steals.

8. Willy Adames, San Francisco Giants

Adames never reached his full potential as a member of Tampa Bay. During the past four seasons with Milwaukee, Adames averaged 26 HR and 87 RBI. His 21 stolen bases were a career-best mark, and he enters 2025 in his first season with San Francisco. After the top shortstops come off the draft board, Willy Adames is one of the best options to produce top five SS numbers at a discounted draft value.

9. CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 20: CJ Abrams #5 of the Washington Nationals rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Nationals Park on April 20, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

CJ Abrams continues to get better, and the 24-year-old is primed to blow away his 2024 numbers that saw him slash .246/.314/.433 with 20 HR, 65 RBI, and 31 steals. A realistic expectation is 20+ HR, 70+ RBI, and 35+ stolen bases.

10. Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres

PEORIA, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 16: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres fields ground balls at second base during infield drills during the daily workout at Peoria Sports Complex on February 16, 2024 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)

Bogaerts’ first season in San Diego was modestly successful, but last season saw him limited to 111 games, finishing with 11 HR and 44 RBI. A return to health should see Xander Bogaerts reach 15+ HR, drive in 60+ RBI, and steal close to 20 bases.

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