The [tag]shortstop[/tag] position used to be where you stashed your #9 hitter. That’s no longer the case as we saw 4 players at the SS hit 20+ home runs, 6 players hit at or above .300 and 2 slug above .500. The shortstop position isn’t for the weakest bat anymore. And I really think that you’ll be hard pressed to win your fantasy league this year without a top notch shortstop.
Having said that you need a top notch SS, you need to know that there are 9 players that fit into this role. I’m going to place these 9 shortstops into two categories; the elite and the top notch. Remember, that if you need one of the 9 players and your league has 12 or more teams, that means someone is going to lose out. Don’t let it be you.
The Elite
[tag]Jose Reyes[/tag] - Reyes is in a class by himself. In fact, he’s the only player in this elite category. You can expect him to hit 14 home runs, steal 55 bases and hit .293/.338/.451. Reyes is definitely a first round pick with an Average Draft Position of 3.29 over at Mock Draft Central.
Top Notch
[tag]Derek Jeter[/tag] - Who wouldn’t love a guy who bats second in a power packed lineup like the Yankees have? Not to mention Jeter is coming off a pretty fantastic year, one of his better in the past 6 years. Expect Jeter to hit 16 home runs, score over a 100 runs and hit .308/.380/.451. He has an Average Draft Position of 18.02 so take Jeter in the second round of your 12 team mixed draft and feel comfortable with the second best SS in the draft.
[tag]Miguel Tejada[/tag] - He may not ever regain the power numbers of 2004, but Tejada is making up for it in batting average and OBP. In 2007, Tejada should hit 25 home runs and go .312/.362/.499. His Average Draft Position is 24.95 and is a ‘tweener between the 2nd and 3rd round.
[tag]Jimmy Rollins[/tag] - Rollins consistently scores 100+ runs and steals 30+ bases each year. So, what happens when you add power? An Average Draft Position of 25.56, that’s what. Look for .280/.338/.443 with 17 home runs and more of the same base swiping from Rollins in ‘07.
[tag]Hanley Ramirez[/tag] - 2006 was a monster breakout year for Ramirez. He moved around the batting order from 1st to second quite a bit. If he can stay in the two slot 2007 will be just as good as 2006. However, if he can slide down to third in the batting order, expect power numbers to surge. His Average Draft Position is 29.53 and his ‘07 projections look like .287/.348/.466 with 14 home runs and 40+ SB’s.
[tag]Michael Young[/tag] - Young has an aggressive plate mentality that limits his walks and raises his strikeouts, but he hits a ton of doubles and RBI’s. His power dipped a bit from his 2005 season, but you can expect his home run total to rise back up to approach 20 and his average to go something like .310/.356/.457. His Average Draft Position is 39.07.
[tag]Rafael Furcal[/tag] - Furcal missed the month of April last year and still put up super SS numbers. Give him April back in ‘07, and watch him light up the L.A. scoreboard. He’s going to steal 30 and hit 15 home runs this year and his average will look like .290/.357/.425. His Average Draft Position has been 41.05.
[tag]Carlos Guillen[/tag] - Guillen is in a contract year in ‘07, so imagine him improving on his stout ‘06 numbers. Something like .315/.390/.500 with 17 home runs and 17 stolen bases is what I expect from Guillen. His Average Draft Position is 59.52.
[tag]Bill Hall[/tag] - Hall hit more home runs than any other shortstop last year. He’s extremely versatile, but the Brewers plan on using him in the OF this year. So, enjoy what might be his last year with SS eligibility and reap the benefits of .276/.338/.498 with 26 home runs and double digit stolen bases. His Average Draft Position is 60.01.
[tag]Troy Tulowitzki[/tag], 
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