Top 10 Shortstops for the 2026 Fantasy Baseball Season
With plenty of shortstops who fill up the box score like Elly De La Cruz, Francisco Lindor, and Bobby Witt Jr., this position is loaded.
| | 
Shortstop is the premium position in Major League Baseball, and it is one that has been on the rise over the last few seasons.
With the emergence of superstars like Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson, and the steady production of veterans like Francisco Lindor and Trea Turner, there is more depth at the position than ever before.
We just recently ranked the top 10 shortstops in baseball for the 2026 season, but that list is going to look a bit different than the ranking of the top 10 fantasy shortstops in baseball. For the general ranking of shortstops, defense plays a huge part in the rankings.
Geraldo Perdomo and Lindor both find themselves with higher rankings on our general list because of what they do with the glove.
Meanwhile, Elly De La Cruz is ranked No. 7 in our general list, but finds a much more favorable ranking in fantasy due to his ability to rack up stats like runs scored and stolen bases.
This list of the top 10 shortstops in fantasy baseball comes directly from our ranking of the top 200 players in fantasy baseball for the upcoming season.
There were 16 shortstops who cracked the top 200, which leaves us with six honorable mentions who fall just outside our top 10.
Honorable Mentions:
Willy Adames No. 84, Trevor Story No. 134, Jacob Wilson No. 141, Dansby Swanson No. 161, Colson Montgomery No. 185, Ezequiel Tovar No. 199
Top 10 Fantasy Baseball Shortstops for 2026
|
Rank
|
Player
|
Team
|
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bobby Witt Jr. | Kansas City Royals |
| 2 | Elly De La Cruz | Cincinnati Reds |
| 3 | Gunnar Henderson | Baltimore Orioles |
| 4 | Francisco Lindor | New York Mets |
| 5 | Trea Turner | Philadelphia Phillies |
| 6 | Zach Neto | Los Angeles Angels |
| 7 | Mookie Betts | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 8 | Corey Seager | Texas Rangers |
| 9 | CJ Abrams | Washington Nationals |
| 10 | Geraldo Perdomo | Arizona Diamondbacks |
1. Bobby Witt Jr. – SS – Kansas City Royals
- Age in 2026: 26
- 2025 Stats: 157 G, 687 PA, .295/.351/.501, 23 HR, 88 RBI, 99 R, 38 SB
Bobby Witt Jr.’s productive 23-homer, 38-steal performance in 2025 was a step back from what he had done the year prior. His ability to terrorize opponents on the basepaths pairs nicely with his plus-hit tool and 30-home run power potential. It wouldn’t be a shock if he had a 40/40 season in him at some point, so he goes in the top three because of that tantalizing ceiling.
2. Elly De La Cruz – SS – Cincinnati Reds
- Age in 2026: 24
- 2025 Stats: 162 G, 699 PA, .264/.336/.440, 22 HR, 86 RBI, 102 R, 37 SB
Elly De La Cruz has immense potential, but hasn’t fully realized it yet. For fantasy, his first round value stems from his ability to steal bases (he’s swiped 35 bags or more in each full season of his career).
De La Cruz’s 117.4-mph max EV was 11th in baseball last season, but the swing-and-miss in his game keeps him just outside of the top 10.
3. Gunnar Henderson – SS – Baltimore Orioles
- Age in 2026: 25
- 2025 Stats: 154 G, 651 PA, .274/.349/.438, 17 HR, 68 RBI, 85 R, 30 SB
Gunnar Henderson hit 37 home runs in 2024 and then just 17 last season, making him tough to rank at the top of fantasy drafts.
Despite the power outage, Henderson’s bat speed was still in the top 10% of hitters – rendering a bounce-back in that department likely. He also stole a career-high 30 bases last season, which adds to his perceived floor.
4. Francisco Lindor – SS – New York Mets
- Age in 2026: 32
- 2025 Stats: 160 G, 732 PA, .267/.346/.466, 31 HR, 86 RBI, 117 R, 31 SB
Francisco Lindor was one stolen base away from three straight 30/30 seasons. He’s somehow managed to become underrated despite elite production and four-straight seasons of playing 150 or more games. Consistency is so important when drafting high and knowing exactly what you’ll get is a big reason why we value Lindor so highly.
5. Trea Turner – SS – Philadelphia Phillies
- Age in 2026: 33
- 2025 Stats: 141 G, 639 PA, .304/.355/.457, 15 HR, 69 RBI, 94 R, 36 SB
Trea Turner’s power has declined in each of the past two seasons, but his speed and ability to hit for average is still keeping him relevant in the early rounds. If he could turn in a 20/30 season with a .290 average, you’d take that at this spot.
6. Zach Neto – SS – Los Angeles Angels
- Age in 2026: 25
- 2025 Stats: 128 G, 554 PA, .257/.319/.474, 26 HR, 62 RBI, 82 R, 26 SB
The baseball world does not give Zach Neto the credit he is due. The Angels shortstop has been in a baren lineup putting up back to back 20/20 seasons and has the tools to push 30/30, which he would have reached last season if not for injury. The power (.217 ISO) was much better in 2025 and we see that as a trend that will continue in 2026.
7. Mookie Betts – SS – Los Angeles Dodgers
- Age in 2026: 33
- 2025 Stats: 150 G, 663 PA, .258/.326/.406, 20 HR, 82 RBI, 95 R, 8 SB
Mookie Betts has seen a big dropoff in bat speed and exit velocity over the past two seasons, to the point where it’s hard to consider him an elite option anymore.
It’s possible that the more significant drop-off last year was due to a lingering illness in spring training, where he reportedly lost 15 lbs. in just a few weeks. There’s plenty of upside here if he regains form – but it’s possible that at age-33, he may never be a leading MVP contender again.
8. Corey Seager – SS – Texas Rangers
- Age in 2026: 32
- 2025 Stats: 102 G, 445 PA, .271/.373/.487, 21 HR, 50 RBI, 61 R, 3 SB
Corey Seager hasn’t reached 550 plate appearances in a season in each of the past three years, but is still mashing like an elite player when healthy. He’s a fantastic four category roto producer whose ceiling is that of a top-25 player if he can stay healthy in his age-32 season.
9. CJ Abrams – SS – Washington Nationals
- Age in 2026: 25
- 2025 Stats: 144 G, 635 PA, .257/.315/.433, 19 HR, 60 RBI, 92 R, 31 SB
CJ Abrams is a solid player, but it’s hard to see him being a top-tier fantasy contributor unless he starts to hit the ball harder. He’s been about a 20/30 player in each of the past few seasons, but his exit velos and bat speed are below average. It doesn’t seem like there’s a ceiling much higher than what we’ve seen, barring improvements.
10. Geraldo Perdomo – SS – Arizona Diamondbacks
- Age in 2026: 26
- 2025 Stats: 161 G, 720 PA, .290/.389/.462, 20 HR, 100 RBI, 98 R, 27 SB
What a year it was for Geraldo Perdomo, who continues to prove people wrong. Last season Perdomo drastically changed his fantasy value by launching 20 home runs, 17 more than the year prior. A high average, low strikeout rate, and 20 stolen bases are almost guaranteed.
But will the power revert back to career norms? If he hits 20 again you’ll see him much higher on next year’s list.
Become a Member of Just Baseball
Subscribe and upgrade to go ad-free!
* Save 25% by subscribing annually.
Written by
Ryan Finkelstein has led editorial for Just Baseball since 2021 and officially became the Editor-in-Chief in 2025. He also hosts Locked On Mets, the No. 1…