The 2022 MLB off-season leading into the 2023 MLB season has been red hot, with many top-tier players finding new homes, including a few of the best shortstops in baseball. Once known for its defense, the shortstop position has transitioned over the years to include both the defensive abilities to field and hit with the best hitters in baseball. One shortstop that headlines the list of all shortstops in baseball is Carlos Correa, who also had a busy offseason signing with multiple teams before returning to the Minnesota Twins.
Several other talented shortstops join him on the ‘best shortstops in baseball’ list, including Dansby Swanson of the Chicago Cubs and Xander Bogaerts of the San Diego Padres, who found new homes for the upcoming 2023 season. Other top shortstops joining those three include Trea Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets, Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays, and 2022 MLB rookie Bobby Witt Jr.
Here is a look at the top 10 shortstops in baseball 2023.
Best Shortstops in MLB 2023
1. Francisco Lindor
Current Team: New York Mets
Our number 1 pick for best SS in baseball is the New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. Lindor has ranked among the best shortstops in baseball since arriving with the Cleveland Indians during the 2015 MLB Season.
Lindor is coming off a solid season at the plate last season, driving in 107 runs while leading all shortstops in runs batted in.
The Mets All-Star rebounded from a somewhat down season in 2021 and now delivers hopes of a deep postseason run for the Mets in 2023.
The Mets will rely on their offense led by Lindor to compete in the National League East.
2. Trea Turner
Current Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
One of the most versatile shortstops in baseball is the Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner. Since arriving in the Majors, Turner has been one of the best ss in baseball and can do a little bit of everything.
The Dodgers shortstop can hit for power, hit for average, work the count, and swipe a base when called on while also playing strong defense at the position.
Turner finished last season with a .298 batting average, 21 home runs, 27 stolen bases, 39 doubles, 194 hits, and 100 runs batted in.
3. Dansby Swanson
Current Team: Chicago Cubs
One of the most popular free agents during the MLB offseason and MLB GM Winter Meetings was the former Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson.
Swanson, who helped the Braves win the World Series during the 2021 MLB Season, earned his first All-Star appearance during the 2022 MLB Season and his first Gold Glove Award for the best fielding shortstop in the National League.
He finished the 2022 MLB season ranked 4th among all shortstops in runs batted in (96), 4th in home runs (25), 2nd in runs scored (99), and 7th in batting average with a .277 mark.
His performance on the field landed him a new seven-year deal from the Chicago Cubs as he will look to help lead the team back to the MLB Playoffs.
4. Carlos Correa
Current Team: Minnesota Twins
It was one of the busiest offseasons for any player in the history of Major League Baseball as Carlos Correa signed long-term deals with both the San Diego Padres and New York Mets before returning to the Minnesota Twins over concerns about his past leg injury.
Nonetheless, Correa ranks among the best shortstops in baseball, if not the best ss in baseball. The Twins shortstop is a solid defender with a big-time power bat who can hit for power and drive in runs.
Last season the former Houston Astros star posted the third-highest batting among other shortstops with a .291 mark. Along with the batting average, Correa posted 24 doubles, 22 home runs, and a .366 on-base percentage.
5. Bobby Witt Jr
Current Team: Kansas City Royals
Rounding out the top five on the best shortstops in baseball 2023 is the Kansas City Royals young star Bobby Witt Jr.
Witt Jr, who made his Major League Baseball debut last season, shone as one of the game’s brightest rookies as well as one of the top shortstops in just his first season in bigs.
The Royals shortstop is a great defender, a great hitter, and a great base runner who can steal bags to go with his power numbers.
The first-time big leaguer finished the season posting 20 home runs, 31 doubles, 30 stolen bases, and 80 runs batted in over 591 at-bats across the 2022 MLB schedule.
The future looks bright heading into his second full season as the Royals shortstop is set to take another big step forward during the 2023 MLB season.
6. Xander Bogaerts
Current Team: San Diego Padres
The longtime Boston Red Sox shortstop put together a strong career with the team while wrapping up that career in 2022. Now as he is set to start a new chapter in his MLB resume, Xander Bogaerts is set to rank among the best shortstops in baseball.
However, the jury is still out on whether Bogaerts will play shortstop, third base, outfield, or second base with the San Diego Padres this season. With Fernando Tatis set to return to the lineup, expectations are that Bogaerts will move to a new position.
That said, it still doesn’t remove him from being one of the best ss in baseball. The former Red Sox star finished last season leading all shortstops with a .307 batting average, recording 171 hits over 557 at-bats, including 38 doubles and 15 runs batted in.
7. Corey Seager
Current Team: Texas Rangers
After signing a massive deal with the Texas Rangers before the start of the 2022 MLB season, Corey Seager became the Rangers organization’s fresh face after spending his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
While his batting average took a step down, Seager still produced at a high level in his first season while leading all MLB shortstops with 33 home runs while driving in 83 runs.
In addition to the 33 home runs, Seager picked up 58 walks, 145 total hits, and 24 doubles across the season while playing solid defense at the shortstop position.
8. Bo Bichette
Current Team: Toronto Blue Jays
One team loaded with young talent is the Toronto Blue Jays, with one of those stars being the son of former MLB star Dante Bichette, Bo Bichette.
Bichette, who has impressed since arriving in the Majors, continues to develop into one of the best shortstops in baseball while being just 24 years old.
During the 2022 MLB Season, Bichette finished 5th among all shortstops with 24 home runs while driving in 93 runs.
The Blue Jays star also posted 13 stolen bases, a .290 batting average, and the most doubles among all shortstops, with 43 in 652 at-bats across the season.
9. Jeremy Pena
Current Team: Houston Astros
While all eyes were on fellow AL Rookie of the Year Candidate Bobby Witt Jr last season, Jeremy Pena of the Houston Astros was another impressive MLB rookie during the 2022 MLB season.
Pena, who played in 136 games for the Astros last season, was a vital member of the Astros’ success, eventually winning the World Series. Pena finished the season with a .253 batting average, with 22 home runs and 63 runs batted in.
His production picked up in the postseason, where Pena finished with a .345 batting average to go along with five doubles, four home runs, and eight runs batted in.
10. Jorge Mateo
Current team: Baltimore Orioles
The last shortstop to land on the 10 best shortstops in baseball is the Baltimore Orioles’ slick-fielding shortstop Jorge Mateo.
While Mateo did not put up the power numbers as many of the other top shortstops, the speedster was among the best defensive shortstops coming in behind Jeremy Pena for the AL Gold Glove Award.
As the Orioles took a big stride to become a contender in the American League, Mateo took a huge step forward.
The Orioles shortstop finished the season leading all shortstops with 35 stolen bases while posting 25 doubles, seven triples, 13 home runs, and 50 runs batted in.
