This article is part of our Farm Futures series.
This is perhaps the sexiest article I will write all year. The second base and third base tiers were populated with dozens of players who have recently played shortstop, but whom I don't think will stick there long term in the majors. Many of the guys who made the cut for this article are the best of the best when it comes to defensive prowess on the infield dirt. They also happen to be dripping with fantasy-relevant tools. Speed and quickness often translate to good defense at shortstop, so it is no surprise that many of these prospects have a good shot to steal 20-plus bases in the majors. The quick actions that make a quality defensive shortstop also often translate to bat speed, and indeed, several of these players are on the short list for quickest bats in the minors.
Here are the 2019 shortstop prospect tiers:
TIER ONE
1. Wander Franco, Rays
2. Royce Lewis, Twins
3. Bo Bichette, Blue Jays
4. Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
What you value in a prospect will shine through with the order you prefer these four players. Mine are ranked roughly in the order of how much I like their hit tools. They should all log at least one 20-steal season in the majors, with Lewis having the best chance to be an annual 30-steal threat. Franco and Tatis have the most power upside. The top three could all hit .300 or better against big-league pitching.
TIER TWO
This is perhaps the sexiest article I will write all year. The second base and third base tiers were populated with dozens of players who have recently played shortstop, but whom I don't think will stick there long term in the majors. Many of the guys who made the cut for this article are the best of the best when it comes to defensive prowess on the infield dirt. They also happen to be dripping with fantasy-relevant tools. Speed and quickness often translate to good defense at shortstop, so it is no surprise that many of these prospects have a good shot to steal 20-plus bases in the majors. The quick actions that make a quality defensive shortstop also often translate to bat speed, and indeed, several of these players are on the short list for quickest bats in the minors.
Here are the 2019 shortstop prospect tiers:
TIER ONE
1. Wander Franco, Rays
2. Royce Lewis, Twins
3. Bo Bichette, Blue Jays
4. Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
What you value in a prospect will shine through with the order you prefer these four players. Mine are ranked roughly in the order of how much I like their hit tools. They should all log at least one 20-steal season in the majors, with Lewis having the best chance to be an annual 30-steal threat. Franco and Tatis have the most power upside. The top three could all hit .300 or better against big-league pitching.
TIER TWO
5. Jazz Chisholm, Diamondbacks
Jazz gets his own tier, which is exactly how Jazz would like it. He's not in the same class as the elite prospects that populate the first tier, but he's also a good solid notch above the players in the third tier. When I get asked, "which players outside the top 10 could finish the year in the top 10?", Chisholm is one of the players I mention. All those strikeouts make him a volatile asset, particularly for a player who has already reached High-A and played in the Arizona Fall League, but I think this ranking properly weighs the risk and the reward.
TIER THREE
6. Xavier Edwards, Padres
7. Marco Luciano, Giants
8. Geraldo Perdomo, Diamondbacks
9. Ronny Mauricio, Mets
All four of the players in this tier have significant upward mobility this year. Edwards has elite speed, so if he continues to look like a future leadoff hitter against full-season pitching, he will jump up the rankings. Luciano has more upside than any player outside the first tier, including Chisholm, but he also has not yet made his pro debut. Perdomo is still a little under the radar in shallower settings, but he has five-category upside, whether you play in AVG or OBP leagues. Mauricio is the only player in this tier who won't be a threat on the bases, but he has a very high ceiling in AVG and power.
TIER FOUR
10. Jorge Mateo, A's
11. Wander Javier, Twins
12. Kevin Smith, Blue Jays
13. Cole Tucker, Pirates
14. Luis Garcia, Phillies
There is no theme in this tier. Mateo And Tucker are both close to the majors and they are here because of their stolen-base upside. Mateo has elite speed but may never hit. Tucker has above-average speed, and will probably hit just enough to play every day. The best realistic case with both of these guys is that they are seen as one-category specialists who don't actively hurt a fantasy team in any one category. This also means that they are much less valuable if you play in points leagues or H2H formats. Javier has a lot of upside but injuries have limited his development. Smith probably won't hit for a great average, but has sneaky 20/20 upside. Garcia has very little power and I think his hit tool is slightly overrated, but he has plus speed and will definitely stick at shortstop.
TIER FIVE
15. Wenceel Perez, Tigers
16. Freudis Nova, Astros
17. Jeremiah Jackson, Angels
18. Willi Castro, Tigers
19. Gabriel Arias, Padres
20. Antoni Flores, Red Sox
21. Lucius Fox, Rays
22. Anderson Tejeda, Rangers
23. Brice Turang, Brewers
There is something to nitpick with all of these guys, whether it be questions about the power, questions about the hit tool or questions about whether the collection of tools adds up to a starter or a utility infielder. If you just wanted to go upside diving in this tier, Nova and Flores are the guys, but they are also very risky.
TIER SIX
24. Alexander Vargas, Yankees
25. Osleivis Basabe, Rangers
26. Miguel Hiraldo, Blue Jays
27. Angel Rojas, Yankees
28. Alejandro Pie, Rays
Here are five recent international signees with upside and risk for days. Hiraldo has the lowest ceiling but has also done the most as a pro. Vargas and Pie have not yet made their debuts, while Basabe and Rojas only have Dominican Summer League success to point to.
Honorable Mentions: Nick Gordon (MIN), Chris Seise (TEX), Blaze Alexander (ARI), Zack Short (CHC), Osiris Johnson (MIA), Luis Verdugo (CHC), Eduardo Garcia (MIL), C.J. Chatham (BOS), Deury Carrasco (HOU), Abiezel Ramirez (TB), AJ Graffanino (ATL), Adam Hall (BAL), Oswald Peraza (NYY), Richie Martin (BAL), Jose Garcia (CIN), Kevin Newman (PIT), Aramis Ademan (CHC), Marcos Gonzalez (CLE), Ji-Hwan Bae (PIT), Ronny Brito (TOR), Frainyer Chavez (TEX), Kevin Merrell (OAK), Jose Devers (MIA), Jeremy Pena (HOU), Logan Simmons (PHI), Jeremy Eierman (OAK), Jelfry Marte (TB), Edmundo Sosa (STL), Cadyn Grenier (BAL), Jean Carmona (BAL)
