10.) Yunel Escobar, Toronto Blue Jays
2011 stats: .290 avg., 11 HRs, 48 RBI, .782 OPS
Escobar brings a solid bat to Toronto's lineup as his .290 average was third among AL shortstops. He also possesses good range and a strong arm at short.
9.) Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox2011 stats: .269 avg., 15 HRs, 70 RBI, .727 OPS
Alexei does not have the ability to carry a lineup like his teammate Paul Konerko, but he brings with him a decent bat that serves well as a complimentary piece. While his average dipped 13 points from last year, everything else offensively has remained somewhat consistent with his career averages. Ramirez has outstanding range defensively, but sometimes that can get him into trouble when he tries to do too much, as evidenced in the 16 errors he committed last year.
2011 stats: .269 avg., 30 HRs, 80 RBI, .801 OPS
After a pair of dismal seasons in Milwaukee and Minnesota in 2009 and 2010, Hardy put together a nice bounce-back year that has people believing in him again as a threat at the plate. His 30 home runs were a career high, and his 90 RBI tied a career high that he set in 2007. He also comes with a sure-handed glove, committing only six errors all season.
7.) Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers 2011 stats: .279 avg., 5 HRs, 60 RBI, .708 OPS, 37 SBs
The young, fleet-footed shortstop of the Rangers is already making waves as one of the game's future stars. In just his third big-league season, Andrus' 37 steals were tops among AL shortstops, and his defensive excellence only continues to grow. Remember, he's just 23; the sky is the limit for Andrus.
6.) Derek Jeter, New York Yankees2011 stats: .297 avg., 6 HRs, 61 RBI, .743 OPS
The Fountain of Youth must be somewhere hidden deep within the The Bronx, because how Jeter and closer Mariano Rivera continue to defy age year after year simply astounds me. Jeter continues to remain as one of the best at his position, as the future Hall of Famer posted the second-highest batting average of any AL shortstop last season. He also notched his 3,000 career hit last summer, and while he may not get any higher on this list, he will certainly ascend on the list of the game's all-time great hitters in the 3,000 hit club.
5.) Jhonny Peralta, Detroit Tigers2011 stats: .299 avg,. 21 HRs, 86 RBI, .824 OPS
While he is not blessed with the defensive prowess that some of his peers have at shortstop, Peralta yields a good stick at the plate. Peralta's .824 OPS topped all Junior Circuit shortstops, while his 21 homers ranked third in the AL, trailing only J.J. Hardy and Asdrubal Cabrera.
4.) Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland Indians
2011 stats: .273 avg. 25 HRs, 92 RBI, .792 OPS
An absolute artist with the glove, Cabrera's bat is beginning to catch up to the level of his glove work. Cabrera not only led the Tribe in RBI, he also topped the Junior Circuit in the category as well. If you have not watched Cabrera play defense, you have been missing out on something great. Make a point to keep your eyes peeled on baseball's top play highlight reels throughout the course of the summer, and you will definitely see his defensive mastery on display. 3.) Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs
2011 stats: .307 avg., 10 HRs, 66 RBI, .773 OPS, 207 hits, 22 SBs
The Cubs may not have many players worth the price of admission at Wrigley nowadays, but Starlin Castro is giving North Siders a reason to still have some excitement for the future. In just his second big-league season, Castro paced the NL in hits with 207, while recording the second-highest batting average of any shortstop at .307. Even though they are a bitter rival of the Sox, I still have a blast watching him play. If Reyes fails to stay healthy in Miami this season, do not be surprised to see Castro move up to number two. 2.) Jose Reyes, Miami Marlins
2011 stats: .337 avg., 7 HRs, 44 RBI, .877 OPS, 39 SBs, 16 triples
Reyes' swan song with the Mets last year was something to be remembered, however his final year in the Big Apple did not end without controversy. In the final game of the season on September 28, Reyes notched a bunt single in his first at-bat to bring his average to .337, which placed him atop the NL for the moment. He took himself out of the game soon thereafter in order to protect his average, leaving a somewhat sour taste in the mouths of some purists. Nonetheless, he became the first player in Mets history to win a batting crown, while tying for the major-league lead in triples with 16. His 39 steals were also tops among all shortstops and his .877 OPS was the second-highest among his peers. 1.) Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies
2011 stats: .302 avg., 30 HRs, 105 RBI, .916 OPS
Many around baseball knew Tulowitzki was the real deal once he stepped onto the scene in 2007, and it should not surprise anyone that he tops this list. "Tulo" as he is affectionately called by Rockies fans, is continuing his rise to becoming one of the game's elite and top tier stars by putting together another spectacular season in Colorado. His 105 RBI and .916 OPS were the highest of any shortstop in baseball last year, and his 30 home runs tied with J.J. Hardy for the most in MLB as well. Additionally, he was one of only three shortstops to hit over .300 last year, as his .302 average trailed only Jose Reyes and Starlin Castro in that department. When you also factor in that he has won the last two Gold Gloves at shortstop in the NL, there is no longer any second-guessing with "Tulo." He is here to stay as the game's best shortstop, and he will likely top this list for the next several years. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other news around the majors:
Tony the Tiger? LaRussa heading to Tigers camp in Lakeland (MLB.com)
Astros Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton to retire following 2012 season (Sports Illustrated)
Blast from the Past: Brett Tomko to sign with Reds? (Cincinnati.com)
Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn has tumor removed (Sports Illustrated)
"Chicago Tribune Live" discussion on renovating or replacing Wrigley Field (CSN Chicago)
Tim Wakefield calls it a career (ESPNBoston.com)
A few days old, but still worth watching. The stunning Kate Upton stars in a commercial promoting MLB 2K12.
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