Buster Olney Ranks the Top 10 Shortstops in MLB for the 2026 Season

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Buster Olney Ranks the Top 10 Shortstops in MLB for the 2026 Season

As spring training camps swing into action, the baseball world gears up for the upcoming season. As part of its annual positional ranking series, ESPN's Buster Olney surveyed industry insiders to compile his definitive list of the top 10 shortstops for the 2026 Major League Baseball season. This ranking prioritizes players expected to excel in 2026, rather than projecting future potential or career-long achievements.

This year's list arrives at a pivotal moment for the shortstop position. Historically, shortstops were valued primarily for their defensive prowess, with offensive contributions often being a secondary consideration. However, pioneers like Cal Ripken Jr., who blended power hitting with Gold Glove defense and won two MVP awards, and the legendary trio of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Nomar Garciaparra—dubbed the 'Holy Trinity of Shortstops' for their offensive excellence—paved the way for a new era. Today, shortstops who excel offensively are not the exception but the norm, often serving as the linchpins of their teams' success.

The shift is underscored by data analyzed by ESPN's Paul Hembekides. In 2024, shortstops accounted for a remarkable 20.4% of position-player fWAR (FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement), the highest percentage in MLB history. This reflects a dramatic increase in offensive production from the position over the past half-century. For context, shortstops contributed only 6.0% in 1975, rising to 8.5% in 1985, dipping slightly to 7.8% in 1995, then surging to 13.1% in 2005, 10.6% in 2015, and reaching 18.4% by 2025. This trajectory clearly indicates that shortstops have become a significant source of offensive firepower across the league.

This evolution has prompted teams to place a premium on drafting, developing, and acquiring high-caliber shortstops. This is evident in the pipeline of young talent, featuring prospects such as Konnor Griffin (Pittsburgh Pirates), Kevin McGonigle (Detroit Tigers), Colt Emerson (Seattle Mariners), George Lombard Jr. (New York Yankees), and Leo De Vries (Oakland Athletics). Even players who previously struggled offensively but excelled defensively, like Nick Allen of the Atlanta Braves (who posted a 55 OPS+), found their teams seeking offensive upgrades, leading to acquisitions like Mauricio Dubon and Ha-Seong Kim. The focus is no longer solely on defense; offensive impact is paramount.

Leading Olney's top 10 for 2026 is Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals. Witt Jr. embodies the modern shortstop, excelling in elite defense, lineup-anchoring hitting ability, power, and speed. After a stellar 9.4 WAR season in 2024, he followed up with a 7.1 WAR performance last season, ranking third in the American League and high enough to lead National League position players. In 2025, Witt Jr. led the majors in hits (184) and doubles (47), boasted the best defensive metrics among shortstops, and successfully stole 38 bases in 47 attempts.

Witt Jr.'s commitment to improvement is unwavering. J.J. Picollo, Head of Baseball Operations for the Royals, noted in a text message, "[Witt] is so easy to deal with because he takes such good care of himself that we have little-to-no concern. More of what we discuss with him is how we can keep him fresh and strong throughout the season." His baserunning acumen further enhances his value.

Coming in at number two is Gabriel Moreno of the Arizona Diamondbacks. While Shohei Ohtani holds a significant advantage in the NL MVP race due to his unique two-way skills, Moreno is a strong contender among the 'if-not-Ohtani' candidates. He led all NL position players in WAR last season with 7.0, showcasing excellence both offensively and defensively with an adjusted OPS (OPS+) of 139. The Diamondbacks have lauded his development as a leader.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo described Moreno's primary area of growth in 2025 as "from the offensive side. He balanced out his [left-right] splits. Maintained great plate discipline while improving his slug." Lovullo added, "The sky is the limit with him because of his aptitude and willingness to keep learning. He has a massive understanding of what the game inside the game looks like, and thinks like a manager."

Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles secures the third spot. Despite mirroring Baltimore's slow start to the 2025 season, Henderson followed up his monumental 2024 performance with a 5.3 WAR season, hitting 17 home runs and stealing 30 bases. He is poised to benefit from the Orioles' lineup upgrades, notably the addition of Pete Alonso. Henderson's performance often served as a barometer for the team's success.

In Baltimore's victories last season, Henderson posted a .331/.417/.559 slash line, highlighting his offensive impact.

For the New York Mets, a crucial question for the 2026 season is how quickly Francisco Lindor can recover from hamate surgery and regain hand strength, as his run production is vital. While he expresses optimism about being ready for Opening Day, his track record shows remarkable consistency and an ability to play through discomfort. He has missed only 15 games over the past four seasons, maintaining impressive offensive numbers: 125 OPS+ in 2022, 121 OPS+ in 2023, 137 OPS+ in 2024, and 129 OPS+ in 2025.

Corey Seager presents a different profile than Lindor, as he tends to miss significant time—missing 60 games last year and exceeding 135 games in a season only once in the last eight years. However, when healthy, he is a difference-maker, recording 6.2 WAR in 102 games last season and averaging a 139 OPS+ over the past eight years. The Texas Rangers, facing injury concerns with core players like Seager, Nathan Eovaldi, and Jacob deGrom, have little margin for error and desperately need Seager to remain in the lineup.

Last year, Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson encouraged Turner to prioritize getting on base over power hitting, a strategy that proved highly effective. His 5.2 WAR was the second-best of his career, and he reached base via hits and walks 222 times, ultimately winning the NL batting title. Turner has provided significant value to Philadelphia, scoring 284 runs and posting a .287/.337/.461 slash line in his three seasons with the team.

With established stars like Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa showing signs of decline, and Yordan Alvarez frequently battling injuries, the shortstop position remains one of the most dynamic and critical in MLB. Buster Olney's rankings underscore the growing importance and offensive impact of shortstops in the modern game.

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