Ottoneu Top 20 Shortstops for 2020
Using a format similar to the one Paul Sporer recently posted for 2020 Roto player rankings, below is the 2020 ranking of the Top 20 Shortstops for Ottoneu fantasy baseball. Ottoneu leagues are auction style, but with no salaries listed (league dependent), think of these lists as simplified “snake draft” rankings (“which player would I take before the next”), or a value ranking of players above replacement level for 2020. Players with multi-position eligibility may receive a slight bump in value (2020 positions listed). You can reference average Ottoneu player salaries here, but keep in mind these salaries fluctuate throughout the winter as rosters shape up towards the January 31st keeper deadline for all leagues.
Previous 2020 Ottoneu rankings:
Since a majority of Ottoneu leagues are points leagues (offense based on linear weights), you’ll notice speed is less of a factor here than traditional rotisserie rankings. Even if you don’t play Ottoneu, this list might be a good proxy for OBP, OPS, or sabermetric leagues, so keep that context in mind as you review. If I’ve missed an important player, or you believe I’ve wildly over or under-valued someone, let me know in the comments and I’ll be sure to update.
In 2019, the 30 qualified shortstops averaged the following production:
- 5.45 Points Per Game (P/G)
- 22 HR
- 7.5% BB%
- 19% K%
- .185 ISO
- .279 AVG
- .336 OBP
- .464 SLG
- .336 wOBA
- 107 wRC+
| RK | Player | 2020 POS | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Bregman | SS/3B | A perennial MVP candidate entering age 26 |
| 2 | Xander Bogaerts | SS | Steady skills growth could lead to a true age 27 MVP breakout |
| 3 | Trevor Story | SS | About as consistent as they come, and #1 candidate for Roto formats |
| 4 | Francisco Lindor | SS | Low risk despite trade rumors; xStats suggest he’s a clear tier below those above him |
| 5 | Carlos Correa | SS | Health is now the issue but skills exist for best overall at SS |
| 6 | Ketel Marte | 2B/SS/OF | BABIP will regress but xwOBA supports significant skills growth will remain |
| 7 | Gleyber Torres | 2B/SS | At just 23 years old, there is likely another gear or two coming |
| 8 | Trea Turner | SS | Finger injury should be well behind him come April |
| 9 | Fernando Tatis, Jr. | SS | What goes up (.410 BABIP) must come down, but sky is still the limit long term |
| 10 | Manny Machado | SS/3B | Exit velocity still in elite range; Steamer .861 OPS feels like a balanced expectation |
| 11 | Marcus Semien | SS | 2019 was a career season, but xwOBA suggests there’s a new, solid floor |
| 12 | Javier Baez | SS | Approach and streakiness will continue to limit possibility of true breakout |
| 13 | Bo Bichette | SS | Should be a doubles machine with sneaky 20+ HR power, maybe more |
| 14 | Corey Seager | SS | Will play at just 26 years old and could be nice rebound value at this spot |
| 15 | Jorge Polanco | SS | Well below average Hard Hit % should push expectations towards his 2019 2nd half (~.800 OPS) |
| 16 | Didi Gregorius | SS | New fit in Philly should keep him a 20 HR threat as final option in this tier |
| 17 | Tim Anderson | SS | With .399 BABIP and 2.9% BB%, regression will be painful |
| 18 | Paul DeJong | SS | With significant pressure on the hit tool, the floor here is lower than appeared a just year ago |
| 19 | Gavin Lux | 2B/SS | Elite prospect tools that should play up even if moved out of LAD |
| 20 | Amed Rosario | SS | Age 24 SS showed quiet growth in 2nd half that could take another step |
If you’re interested in tools and resources to help find or create your own Ottoneu player values ($), bookmark the community site, which will be updated often. You can also find a ranking of these players on the 2020 version of the Surplus Calculator.
Just missing this list:
Carter Kieboom (2B/SS)
Jean Segura (SS)
Scott Kingery (2B/SS/3B/OF)
Jonathan Villar (2B/SS)
Willy Adames (SS)
Trey is a 20+ year fantasy veteran and an early adopter of Ottoneu fantasy sports. He currently administers the Ottoneu community, a network of ~1,200 fantasy baseball and football fans talking sports daily. More resources here: http://community.ottoneu.com
re: Javy Baez what does a “true breakout” look like if not something like his last two seasons?
Baez has some elite tools, and he’s had some solid numbers, but the position is deep, which is one thing pushing him down the rankings. By wRC+, he was still the 10th best qualified SS in the game last year. He’s also still a free swinger, which is still his biggest weakness: lowest zone contact % among all SS last season, and over the past three seasons (2017 – 2019) he has the highest swinging strike % in the game, among all players.
This. If Baez ever loses any of his sky-high BABIP, it is going to result in a really mediocre profile: .250/.285/.500