When coaches at any level are asked where they put their best fielder, they’ll likely say at shortstop. There isn’t any area a shortstop can be weak inMLB The Show 22. They need strong, accurate arms, a good eye for the ball, and a snappy reaction time.
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But if all they have is defense, fans will be looking for an upgrade every year, even with Gold Glove credentials. The best shortstops inMLB The Show 22also mix in some speed, contact, and occasional power to let their team know they’re more than just some fancy leather glove.
Updated on July 13th, 2022 by Hodey Johns:This list first came out before the season started. All-Star week marks the halfway point of the season. So, how did the analysts do? Of course, nobody is perfect. Some players that were expected to do poorly ended up putting together a fantastic first half, so they needed to be added to the list. Others that were well-hyped didn’t quite hit the expectations of the experts, so they had to be dropped. A hot or a cold streak could see even the worst-ranked player make this list or the number one ranked player fall out of favor entirely. This is how things have shaken out so far.
14Brandon Crawford - 82 OVR
Only those outside of San Francisco will underestimate Brandon Crawford. The two-time Giants World Series winner was doing the heavy work on those championship teams and he’s still playing at an elite level. Another All-Star selection and Gold Glove win last year prove that.
With an 80+ in all defensive categories, he’s a cinch at shortstop. His speed is among the worst but he makes up for it with steady and weakness-free hitting. Aside from bunting, Crawford is between a 57 and 84 in all offensive categories.
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12Xander Bogaerts - 82 OVR
Although he’s considered a top-ten player in one ofthe best teams in baseball, there’s a good argument that Xander Bogaerts is a bit low on this list. After all, he did get a silver slugger at his position and made the All-Star game last year. Neither of those was a first or a second time; the guy racks up hardware.
He hasn’t been entirely disrespected. Take away bunting and Bogaerts gets a 66+ in every offensive category there is at the plate. His fielding is all 60+ over all attributes. He’s not going to swipe any bags, but he does have above-average speed and baserunning.
11Tim Anderson - 83 OVR
After winning the AL batting title in 2019, Tim Anderson netted a Silver Slugger in 2020, then finally got his All-Star nod in 2021. Those who don’t study baseball might know of Anderson’s antics; the shortstop is not shy about bat flips and hyping up the home crowd.
Given Anderson’s skill set, he commands some high ratings. Aside from bunting, Anderson has a 55 or more in every category on offense and defense. Being that well-rounded makes him valuable, and a popular pick whenplaying against friends.
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9Francisco Lindor - 84 OVR
It’s no secret that the Mets are trying to win a World Series with pitching. They have the two highest-rated starting pitchers in the game. But they’ve picked up a few select position players who they felt could take them to the top, one of whom was Francisco Lindor.
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The two-time Silver Slugger, two-time Gold Glove winner, and four-time All-Star might be just the ticket. He’s above average in most statistics at the plate to go along with a 95 fielding rating and a perfect 99 in reaction time. Nobody is putting one past Lindor if he can help it.
8Nico Hoerner - 86 OVR
It’s been a tough season for Chicago Cubs fans as their team has traded away nearly every remnant of their championship team from a few years ago. During these moments, the Cubs are looking for somebody to build around. And that just might be Nico Hoerner.
Hoerner wasn’t on the radar for most experts this season and he’s emerged as a talented two-way player. On defense, each attribute is 80 or better. At the plate, his 95 clutch rating should be good for turning a few losses into wins each year.
7Carlos Correa - 86 OVR
How good is the glove of Carlos Correa? Last year, he not only won his first Gold Glove award, he won the Platinum Glove award, given to the best of the Gold Glover winners. Anybody looking touse equipment in Road to the Showshould ask to borrow his leather.
As expected, his defensive attributes are all stratospheric in the 85+ range. On the other side of the ball, his discipline and durability attributes are high, giving him a consistency that major league clubs crave. No wonder the Astros did everything they could to keep him around.
6Javier Baez - 87 OVR
Most players who have poor plate discipline, vision, and an inaccurate arm aren’t considered shortstops. Then again, most of these players are not Javier Baez. While these elements certainly aren’t selling points, Baez’s upside is too good to resist.
Aside from these aforementioned categories and bunting, Baez has a 65 or better rating in every other aspect of the game. His elite talents more than erase any issue that he has been tagged as having.
5Bo Bichette - 87 OVR
Bo Bichette made his first All-Star game in 2021 and it’s a good bet that this won’t be his last appearance. As a shortstop goes, he’s far from prototypical, but that isn’t a bad thing. He’s just geared more toward offense than most of the others.
His defense and baserunning are solid but not spectacular. At the plate, that’s where Bichette shines, with 97+ ratings in durability, clutch, and a perfect 99 in contact against lefties. Definitely use him for some unexpected pop at this defensive spot.
