Shortstop rankings are about more than just comparing stat lines. It’s about determining who provides the most value at baseball’s most demanding position. MLB Network’s “The Shredder” combines recent performance with in-depth study of offensive and defensive metrics to separate the best from the best. As the 2026 season approaches, here are the 10 highest-rated players.
10. Zach Neto (Angels)
September 9, 2025; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (9) during the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium. Mandatory photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Statistics to know: 26 HR, 26 SB (2025).
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Neto is ranked 10th on both The Shredder’s list and Brian Kenny’s personal rankings, which speaks volumes about his rapid rise. His logic for joining was simple. Early in his career, he’s already generating power and speed from premium spots on the diamond. For the Angels, this dual-threat ability is the cornerstone of a lineup in desperate need of reliable production up the middle.
9. Elly De La Cruz (Reds)
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Eli De La Cruz (44) throws a ball to the crowd after the second inning of Game 2 of the MLB National League Wild Card Game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. The Reds lost 8-4 to the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and were eliminated from the playoffs.
De La Cruz ranks ninth on The Shredder’s 2026 list, a clear nod to a toolkit that can change the course of a game even when he’s not fully committed. He holds the same spot in MLB.com’s retrospectives, keeping him firmly in the top tier of the position. His appeal is obvious. He pressures defenses in a way that few other shortstops can, forcing the league to account for him on every pitch.
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8. Jeremy Pena (Astros)
June 17, 2025; West Sacramento, CA, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña (3) during a game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Statistics to know: .840 Operational Plan (2025).
According to MLB.com, Pena is ranked eighth in 2026, his first time in the top 10 at shortstop. This detail is important because these lists typically favor ongoing value rather than isolated hot spots. Houston has always asked its shortstop to be consistent with the glove and productive at the plate, and Pena’s recent performance confirms that he lives up to that high standard.
7. Trae Turner (Nationals)
October 9, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (No. 7) leads off the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 4 of the NLDS round of the 2025 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Turner ranks seventh on Sports Illustrated’s list of Crushers, occupying an area where consistency and track record begin to matter as much as peak potential. His ranking reflects an established production history, allowing him to remain relevant even as the position gets younger and deeper. When a player remains at this level year after year, it’s a sign that analysts still believe in his baseline contributions, despite a crowded field at the top.
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6. Gerardo Perdomo (Diamondbacks)
August 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, United States; Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Geraldo Perdomo (2) throws a ball when a broken bat rolls toward him during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field on August 10, 2025.
Statistics to know: 20 HR, 7.1 FanGraphs WAR (2025).
Perdomo was ranked sixth, a jump that MLB.com attributes to a breakout season that redefined his profile. While the surge of energy grabs the headlines, the real difference at shortstop is running the offense without sacrificing defense. For Arizona, this ranking is proof that his strong season was no fluke. That puts him on the shortlist for the best player at his position.
5. Mookie Betts (Dodgers)
November 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) walks during the tenth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during Game 7 of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Statistics to know: 21 shutouts above average (leads NL SS), saved 17 defensive runs (mostly in SS).
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Betts finished fifth for the second year in a row, which is impressive considering he’s still relatively new to playing full-time shortstop. The defensive metrics highlighted in the Sports Illustrated report explain why he’s here to stay. The model rewards legitimate shortstop value, not just superstar performance at the position. The Dodgers committed him to being the starter in 2026, and this isn’t a temporary experiment. This is just their plan.
4. Gunnar Henderson (Orioles)
September 28, 2025; Bronx, New York, United States; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) throws out New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (not pictured) at first base after hitting a grounder in the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Henderson is No. 4 on the 2026 list after ranking No. 1 last season. This ranking is important because it shows that even with the change in the top spot, his overall roster remains elite. In a ranking system that considers both offense and defence, staying in the top four means you’re impacting both sides of the game, not just statistical statistics.
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3. Francisco Lindor (Mets)
Sep 28, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) retires Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (not pictured) on a pitch to first base during the second inning at Loan Warehouse Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Lindor ranks third, a ranking reserved for players who provide reliable output year in and year out with all their flaws exposed. He also ranks third in MLB.com’s retrospective rankings, further reinforcing his status as one of the least controversial in the top ten. When a position is so deep, being a consensus top-three selection is an achievement in itself. This means your floors are respected just as much as your ceilings.
2. Corey Seager (Rangers)
August 24, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) cannot catch a ball hit by Cleveland Guardians second baseman Brayan Rocchio (not pictured) in the second inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Entering 2026, Seager is No. 2 on the Shredder’s roster, keeping him in the conversation as the best shortstop in the sport. He also ranks second in the rankings published by MLB.com, bringing the broader view in line with model data. The main point here is stability. Even with constant turnover in leagues, rankings still view him as a mainstay near the top.
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1. Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals)
September 23, 2025; Anaheim, CA, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) is welcomed in the dugout after scoring in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Statistics to know: Leads MLB in hits for second consecutive season.
Witt earned the No. 1 spot in 2026, becoming the sixth different shortstop to top the list in the last six years. MLB.com directly tied his rise to his performance, highlighting the second consecutive season he led the majors in hits. In a model that blends offense, defense and overall impact, the combination of volume and value is what propels players to the top of the list.
Poll that reads like a preview
September 9, 2025; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (9) during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium. Mandatory photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Rankings don’t win games, but they do show where the league’s most reliable two-way value lies. This top 10 is a reminder that shortstops in 2026 will need a wide range of skills, all of which lead to the same result: winning impact. The only real verdict will come in April, when these names must translate their roster spots into wins on the field.
The post MLB: Top 10 shortstops entering the 2026 season appeared first on The Big Lead.