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Rankings: Who has the top SS in the AL Central?

By Brett Pnazek |
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Jun 21, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) throws the ball to first base for an out in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The AL Central may be the best division in baseball. It boasts the reigning AL champion Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers, who have represented the AL in the World Series three times in the past nine seasons.

Yet, the division lacks star power outside of few players. The position of shortstop is truly lacking star power and even name recognition among the casual baseball fan.

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This rankings list is comprised of the five shortstops that should be starting on Opening Day barring injury. It takes into consideration the offensive, defensive and season outlook for each of the shortstops who are pegged to be starting for their respective teams.

Let’s look to see where they have been ranked before the start of spring training.

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Next: No. 5: Jose Ramirez

Sep 24, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Jose Ramirez (11) throws out Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (not pictured) in the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5: Jose Ramirez (Cleveland Indians)

Jose Ramirez took for over Asdrubal Cabrera when he was traded last year. He is pegged to start Opening Day for the Indians, but could be surpassed by Francisco Lindor this spring.

In 68 games last year, Ramirez hit .262, as he lacks home run power and will more than likely hit in the bottom third of the Indians lineup.

He did steal 10 bases, so he can be a threat there but offensively looks limited and does not possess the upside that the four guys ahead of him have.

Ramirez isn’t expected to produce numbers offensively, as whatever he gives is an added bonus, but he is expected to be stalwart in the field. He produced the best dWAR of all the shortstops on the rankings last year.

He’ll be counted on by the Indians pitching staff to help shore up a defense that was weak last year.

Ramirez’s season outlook is shaky and tenuous at best. He could be the starting shortstop to begin the year, but like mentioned before, he could start the year and then be replaced … or he could just be beaten out by Lindor this spring.

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Next: No. 4: Jose Iglesias

Oct 17, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) turns a double play over Boston Red Sox catcher David Ross (3) during the fourth inning in game five of the American League Championship Series baseball game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4: Jose Iglesias (Detroit Tigers)

Jose Iglesias was part of the blockbuster deal that brought Jake Peavy to the Boston Red Sox and Avisail Garcia to the White Sox. He was injured for all of last season but has shown to be a better hitter than scouts had originally projected.

Iglesias lacks power with only seven career home runs in 847 plate appearances. He’s also not much of a threat on the base path, having 11 career stolen bases spread out over a four-year career.

He’s best suited to hit lower in the lineup, and like Ramirez, any offense he provides is icing on the cake.

The reason why he does not need to wow on the offensive side is because of his defense.

Iglesias is probably the best defensive player of all the shortstops in these rankings, because he just doesn’t make errors. He boasts a career .987 fielding percentage as a shortstop, and while his defensive WAR is only 1.3, it does not rate as high as one would expect.

The shortstop made the Tigers a better defensive team up the middle and was missed last year, because he is one of those guys that when you look at him on the field and see the plays he makes, he passes the eye test, even if the analysis doesn’t always back that assertion up.

His season outlook is more assured than Jose Ramirez’s, which is the reason for the No. 4 ranking. Iglesias is the clear starter for Detroit, but the Tigers could look to upgrade the position if he is really struggling offensively by the time the trade deadline rolls around.

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Next: No. 3: Danny Santana

Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Andrew Romine (27) collides with Minnesota Twins short stop Danny Santana (39) as he slides into second base in the seventh inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3: Danny Santana (Minnesota Twins)

Danny Santana was a rookie last year, and he was very impressive in his debut. He finished seventh in the Rookie of the Year voting and has given the Twins hope and stability at the position.

Offensively, he is the second-best shortstop within the division. He displayed power with seven home runs and also speed with seven triples and 20 steals. The SS also hit .319, but also struck out 98 times.

Defensively, he was slightly better than average with a dWAR of .4 and a -1 runs saved, according to his runs from fielding.

Santana doesn’t face much competition at the position, and it will take a lot for the Twins to think about replacing him. He could be one of the cornerstones that the team can build around until their highly touted prospects arrive later this year or next year.

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Next: Who is No. 2 on the list?

Sep 17, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) is tagged out stealing second base by Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2: Alcides Escobar (Kansas City Royals)

Alcides Escobar is second in the AL Central shortstop rankings. He was a key chip in the Zack Greinke trade between the Milwaukee Brewers and Royals in 2010, and it has paid off for the Royals.

Escobar lacks power with 21 career home runs in his seven-year career, but he does have speed with 128 steals in the same time frame.

He’s been up-and-down as a hitter, posting a career-high .293 batting average in 2012, but has had two seasons in the .230s.

As a defender, he is above average and has posted a positive dWAR in five consecutive seasons. For his career, he is six wins above replacement, so though he doesn’t hurt you, he does not do anything special either.

Escobar is entrenched as the shortstop for the Royals for the future. Even if the Royals fall out of contention this year, his contract is team-friendly, so I doubt he’d be moved unless he can bring back some top prospects.

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Next: An AL All-Star at No. 1 overall

Aug 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) fields a ground ball off the bat of Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (not pictured) during the sixth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1: Alexei Ramirez (Chicago White Sox)

Alexei Ramirez has been with the Sox for seven years and has been a steady contributor.

He’s never batted higher than .290, but never lower than .265. He’s shown pop in his bat over the years with 99 home runs and has shown a knack to steal bases with 118 to date.

Ramirez is also the best offensive shortstop in the division by far.

In the field, he has shown to be more than effective. His career dWAR is 9.2, which is above average. He’ll make plays that will wow you but also has been prone to making mental mistakes.

Ramirez is entrenched at short, and barring injury or a trade, he will be there for all of 2015. However, if the team struggles, he could be traded, clearing room for Tim Anderson.

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