MLB Positional Fantasy Rankings: Shortstop

Here are theScore's 2016 fantasy shortstop rankings (projections provided by Steamer (via Fangraphs) and theScore staff):

Positional Rankings
C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF1 | OF2 | OF3 | DH | SP1 | SP2 | SP3 | RP

1. Carlos Correa, Houston Astros

There's little question Correa should be the first shortstop off the board in any league format. The one glaring issue is exactly how high he's going. Correa's ADP is hovering around 10th overall, ahead of the likes of 1Bs Anthony Rizzo and Miguel Cabrera, among many others. Correa had a drastically inflated ISO and SLG% in 2015, and owners should be wary of his gaudy power numbers.

2. Troy Tulowitzki, Toronto Blue Jays

Tulowitzki struggled in his 2015 stint with the Blue Jays, but he's had the winter to adjust, and he should return to his normally productive self in 2016. The draft gap between he and Correa should be much closer than it is.

3. Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox

Bogaerts should be considered a steal in any 12-team league draft where he slips into the fourth round. Adequate home run and steals totals will only continue to improve. While a high batting average will regress a bit, it will still provide many opportunities to drive in and score runs.

4. Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers

Seager's 2015 stint in the majors was brief but tantalizing. While any owner would be foolish to buy into his inflated batting average as the new normal, he showed a taste of what's to come. He should be drafted in the first five rounds, though he's not immune to a stint in the minors during the season.

5. Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians

Lindor showed ability at the plate far exceeding his age in what was a sensational rookie season. The power will likely stabilize, but the batting average and ability to get on base with consistency are legitimate.

6. Addison Russell, Chicago Cubs

Russell should be assured enough playing time in the Cubs' lineup to be considered a safe fantasy option. He has some power and speed potential not yet displayed at the major league level, but there's plenty of upside as a 12th-round pick.

7. Ian Desmond, Texas Rangers

After a tumultuous season, Desmond had to settle for one-year "prove-it" contract from the Rangers. Adding to the embarrassment of his free-agent experience is his imminent move to left field. Desmond should be assured of playing time, but the Rangers have several prospects who will be nipping at his heels all season.

8. Brandon Crawford, San Francisco Giants

Crawford's 2015 power surge should cause hesitation. He hit more home runs than he had at any level previously, due to an inflated ISO. He still has plus power relative to the position, but he didn't go from a player struggling to hit 10 home runs every season to an automatic 20-home run hitter.

9. Starlin Castro, New York Yankees

Castro will play second base for the Yankees, but he'll maintain shortstop eligibility. His batting average should rebound from a disastrous season in Chicago, and the Yankees will ask him to steal more often. He's a reclamation project, available at a great value beyond the 12th round.

▼10. Jung-ho Kang, Pittsburgh Pirates

Kang is more attractive as a shortstop than as a third baseman, as his power numbers stand out a little more against this competition. The Pirates liked him enough as a rookie to thin out some of their infielders via free agency, and fantasy owners should be buying in as well, around the 10th round.

11. Marcus Semien, Oakland Athletics

Semien showed impressive power in 2015. His offensive abilities make him a starting shortstop in 12-team leagues available as a late-round option. His defensive weaknesses do pose some risk to his job security.

12. Ketel Marte, Seattle Mariners

Marte showed an impressive ability to get on base in 2015, though had a high BABIP for a player who hits the ball as softly as he does. If he can still manage to get on base, he'll push for 20 stolen bases, and he'll score runs if he's able to claim the leadoff spot in the order.

13. Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers

Andrus is a legitimate stolen base threat. He's been assured he won't lose playing time to Desmond. He's a reliable option for some measure of production while in a dangerous lineup. He'll be available at the tail end of a draft for owners willing to wait it out for a starting shortstop.

▼14. Trea Turner, Washington Nationals

Turner should gain shortstop eligibility early in the season if he wins the starting job out of Spring Training. He demonstrated some power across the minor leagues, but fantasy owners should be more attracted to his ability to hit for average and steal bases.

15. Jean Segura, Arizona Diamondbacks

Segura is available near the 20th round. He could prove to be well worth the risk for fantasy owners and for the Diamondbacks if he hits near the top of the lineup for the entire season.

16. Alexei Ramirez, San Diego Padres

Ramirez's move to the bigger Petco Park from U.S. Cellular Field should fit his style of play. He has the speed and power to leg out some doubles to its sizable gaps. He should be targeted as a middle infielder in the latter rounds.

17. Jose Iglesias, Detroit Tigers

Iglesias performed adequately in 2015, following a 2014 season lost to injury. His high average came while hitting right around his career BABIP. He will steal some bases and score runs while in the Tigers' lineup. He makes for a quality reserve infielder at the back end of 12-team drafts.

18. Jedd Gyorko, St. Louis Cardinals

Gyorko will receive the bulk of the starts at shortstop while Cardinals SS Jhonny Peralta is sidelined by injury. How he performs during that time will dictate how many starts he receives after Peralta's return. He's worthy of a starting second baseman selection in NL-only leagues, but he's better suited as a middle infielder in mixed leagues. Leave him for the late rounds in both.

19. Brock Holt, Boston Red Sox

Holt will make for a utility option in deep leagues. His upside is rather low, but his floor is quite high. He's the logical choice for owners who like to have some positional eligibility available on their bench.

20. Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies

Story can be viewed as a direct replacement for Jose Reyes. He has power and speed upside, although he may struggle with batting average early on. He's a risk, especially with Reyes coming back at some point this season, but he'll have an extended opportunity to earn further playing time.

21. Eugenio Suarez, Cincinnati Reds

Suarez will need to hit at the top of the Reds' lineup - in front of 1B Joey Votto - to garner much fantasy consideration. He likely won't become a viable option in standard leagues until injuries start affecting some bigger names later in the season.

22. Alcides Escobar, Kansas City Royals

Escobar's near-All-Star selection may inflate his draft position. He has the potential to kill the batting average of fantasy teams, and he offers next to no power, while not compensating with steals. He's highly unlikely to remain at the top of the Royals' lineup for another season.

23. J.J. Hardy, Baltimore Orioles

Keep an eye on Hardy throughout the season. His best years are long over, and the power may be gone for good, but if he heats up, he won't be on the waiver wire too long come the middle of the summer.

24. Erick Aybar, Atlanta Braves

Aybar loses a lot of appeal with a move from the Los Angeles Angels to Atlanta. He'll have far fewer run-scoring opportunities. Consider him as a late-round pick in NL-only leagues.

25. Brad Miller, Tampa Bay Rays

Miller should be an everyday player for the Rays, but that doesn't say much for his 2016 outlook. Tropicana Field is slightly more homer-friendly than Safeco, but he won't shoot much past his standard 10 home runs.

26. Wilmer Flores, New York Mets

Flores will likely receive his at-bats through a utility role, as he won't have a regular position. He does have power upside - as exhibited last season - but it's not guaranteed with a lack of playing time.

27. Eduardo Escobar, Minnesota Twins

Escobar has power upside relative to the position, but struggles with strikeouts. The Twins may not give him a long leash in 2016, and neither should fantasy owners who claim him off the waiver wire during a hot streak.

28. Didi Gregorius, New York Yankees

Gregorius should see everyday at-bats with Castro playing second base. His batting average was likely too high in 2015, though his power may continue trending up. He could serve as an injury replacement at various points in the season.

29. Jhonny Peralta, St. Louis Cardinals

Peralta suffered a torn ligament in his hand during spring training. He's expected to miss a few months of action and the nature of a hand injury could affect his play for much longer. He becomes a late-round stash, and he can can even go undrafted in leagues without a DL spot.

30. Jose Reyes, Colorado Rockies

It's unknown how much of the season Reyes will miss. It's difficult to trust him with anything other than a late-round stash, as he won't qualify to be stashed on the disabled list.