This week I’m looking at shortstops.  Just looking at the number of players in the position, I can see that this position is very weak. This position does fill in a little bit better when you include guys who had a card before but were not likely to on a Strat roster.

Asdrubal Cabrera
2007 Role: Utility Infielder / Pinch Runner
Probable Defensive Rating: 2b-3, ss-3, 3b-
2008 Role: Possible Starting Second Baseman
Career: Starting Shortstop
Classification: Prospect

The Tribe was excited to add Cabrera in 2006.  He was the perfect complement to Jhonny Peralta.  Peralta could hit but his fielding was lacking.  Cabrera can field but his bat was lacking.  The Indians believed that Cabrera was going to fill in.  This year, he did.  As a 21-year-old he hit .310 in Double-A with some pop.  He continued to hit after two promotions.  With the struggles of Josh Barfield, Cabrera took over starting at second at the end of the season.  I suspect that putting Cabrera at second is the logical choice, but he’s better defensively than Peralta, so I can’t see him staying at second forever.

Yunel Escobar
2007 Role: Part-time Starting Shortstop
Probable Defensive Rating: 2b-3, ss-3, 3b-3
2008 Role: Starting Shortstop
Career: Starting Shortstop
Classification: Prospect

Looking at Escobar, the engines in my brain start chugging. Escobar and Cabrera are very similar.  Atlanta traded Edgar Renteria to make room for Escobar.  I think that he has a good chance of earning a two in the position.  He won’t hit for power but will steal a handful of bases and in general be a hard out as he doesn’t strike out much.

Possibly Available
There are a couple of players that may be available in your draft.  They received cards before, but it has been a long time since they have been carded and were probably thrown in the free agent pool by now.

Brendan Harris (Carded: 2004) ss-4
Brendan Harris made the Devil Ray’s roster as the utility infielder but ended up the starting shortstop due to injuries.  The Devil Rays want to return Harris to utility and are searching for a shortstop via free agency.  There isn’t much there so Harris may end up getting the job by default.  Put simply, Harris’ name is written on the lineup card in pencil and they are keeping the eraser very close.

John McDonald (Carded: 1999) ss-2
I enjoy reading fantasy articles when they get to McDonald.  Why did the Blue Jays just sign this guy to a two-year deal?  He’s a fantasy dud!  Well, he’s a ss-2 with a low e-rating.  His bat is a liability, but he’s a safe bet to get a good rating.  He makes a great defensive replacement and pinch runner.  His 12 sacrifice hits means that he’s an A-Bunter.

Tony Pena Jr. (Carded: 2006) ss-2
I’m going to throw Pena in because I think it is fair to say that he probably didn’t get drafted last year.  Looking at my notes from last year, Pena didn’t have job with the Braves.  He was a no hit utility infielder, and wasn’t really considered for the second base job.  The Braves were looking to convert an outfielder for the position.  I didn’t want him.  He wasn’t taken in my home league.  He’s traded and earns a starting job with the Royals.  He didn’t hit, but he did play the position very well, and that is worth something.

Shortstop Analysis
There are two first time cards.  Escobar has a good card now for a part-time player.  He will be the starting shortstop for the Braves.  Cabrera may have a starting job, but it will be second base for now.  His glove is too good to stay there forever, so eventually he’ll move to short.  Both make good utility infielders right now.  So, who do you go with?  As Cabrera is 21 and Escobar is 25, Cabrera is the best long-term pick.  It might take a while, but I think the four year age difference means more time at short for Cabrera.

If you throw in the likely free agents in the mix, this position isn’t as lame as it would seem.  Pena and McDonald have full-time jobs.  Harris does for now, but he’s a utility player and the second the Devil Rays find someone to replace him, and I think they will by spring training, then he returns to utility.

Shortstop Ranking
Grade A
Grade B
1.) Asdrubal Cabrera
2.) Yunel Escobar
3.) Tony Pena Jr.
4.) John McDonald
Grade C
5.) Bendan Harris

What About the Other Guys?
There are a couple of infielders who are better defined as utility players.  I separate those players out into their own position.  In my grading scheme, a utility infielder can either be graded a C (platoon) or a D (backup / Triple-A).  The super-utility players like Ty Wigginton might earn a B (full-time), but they are rare.  I’m not going to write these guys up.  They are late round disposable players who give you at-bats.  I often have one due to a rule in my home league that my 25-man roster must have two players for every position.  In good years, I just need a guy with a whole bunch of positions on his card so sit on the roster.

Utility Infielder Ranking
Grade C
Tony Abreu (2b-3, 3b-3, ss-4)
Luis Hernandez (2b-3, 3b-3, lf-4(+2))
Pedro Lopez (2b-3, ss-3)
Brendan Ryan (2b-4, ss-4, 3b-4)
Josh Wilson (2b-3, ss-3, 3b-3)

Grade D
Brian Barden (2b-4, 3b-4, ss-4)
Joel Guzman (1b-4, 3b-4, ss-4)
Mike Rouse (2b-4, ss-4, 3b-4)

Next week, the outfielders.

JP Kastner is the winner of the 2007 Strat-O-Matic Baseball Online Expert League World Series.  In five seasons of SOMBOE, JP Kastner has five winning seasons, four playoff appearances, three World Series appearances and now one World Championship.  He is in his second season in the Tout Wars mixed league.