Saturday Discussion: Throw a Shortstop into the Fire

by John Sickels on Mar 31, 2026 9:00 AM EDT

Here is a discussion question for you.

Let's say you had to pick a shortstop to play for your favorite major league team in 2012. This shortstop

1) Cannot have previous major league experience
2) Cannot have played above the High-A level, but must be currently in pro ball; nobody from high school, college, Japan, etc.
3) Is guaranteed to stay healthy
4) Must receive at least 400 plate appearances in the majors for you in 2012
5) Cannot be Jurickson Profar or Manny Machado

Who would you pick and why? Who do you throw into the fire? Remember that defense matters too.

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Schoop

I’d go Schoop. I think he’s the most ready.

If not for the High-A requirement, I’d say Nick Franklin over Hak Ju Lee.

by delmonfan on Mar 31, 2026 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

+1

I really like Jonathan Schoop. While he probably will have to move because of Machado, I think he and Manny could provide a great double play combo up the middle for this O’s team in the future.

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by objesguy on Mar 31, 2026 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

You beat me to it.

by rutgersjpm on Mar 31, 2026 9:27 AM EDT reply actions

SS Prospect?

The hardest part isn’t picking a solid SS prospect (if you can’t use Profar or Machado); the hardest part is picking a guy you are certain will remain at SS. Staying at SS is a big reason people like Profar and Machado…

We like Jonathan Schoop, Nick Franklin, Aldreton Simmons, Xander Bogaerts, the Yanks Jose Rosario, and even Josh Rutledge some, and especially like Jean Segura, but even he is teetering on the edge of moving to 2B.

Don’t like Iglesias, but pretty sure the Sox fans will fall all over themselves touting him…

We think Simmons looks the most comfortable at SS and should hit enough to play ahead of Patronicky. If forced to pick one we’d say Segura has the package we like.

by Hairylady on Mar 31, 2026 9:28 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Well, Iglesias doesn't fit those criteria.

If he were available though, I think h would be a very good fit. His offense is still terrible, but honestly every single shortstop you could pick is going to put up terrible offensive numbers. And at least we know that Iglesias can play the hell out of the position and make up some of that value in defense.

That’s why I wouldn’t want to take any of te more offense-minded SS prospects, especially the ones who might move off. I don’t think there’s a single player in high-A who will be able to put up even acceptable offensive numbers. So at least you should get a major-league-ready, phenomenal defensive player.

by ThePanda on Mar 31, 2026 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Segura...

…has played above high A.

by noelman31 on Mar 31, 2026 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

meh

he played 7 games as a 19 year old in AAA. He hasn’t played above A+ since so I think he should qualify. He’s probably the most ML ready qualifier and he also has the best chance at being an everyday SS next year since Aybar is a FA. Also, I am certain that he’s sticking at SS. There’s no question for me after watching him this spring.

go long with extenze...i do

by angelsownredsux on Mar 31, 2026 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure I'd call him the most ML ready

He struggled pretty bad in high-A last season. I realize he looked good in spring training this year, but I’m still not sure I’d deem him the most MLB ready based on 21 spring ABs.

by nixa37 on Mar 31, 2026 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Lindor?

Forgot to include Francisco Lindor, who many are saying is a natural SS, and Javier Baez, who few are saying is a natural SS.

by Hairylady on Mar 31, 2026 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

Jace Peterson

Since Pads are my team, I’d go with him because he shows plate discipline and looks athletic enough to hold his own at SS. I think his speed could also be an asset. I wouldn’t expect him to set the world on fire, but I think he would hold his own, at least within the context of the criteria set forth.

by Jay Long on Mar 31, 2026 9:47 AM EDT reply actions

Trevor Story

by The Scout on Mar 31, 2026 9:57 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I know he hasn’t played much yet, but I just have a good feeling about him. The only problem is Tulo is the SS and if he makes it to the bigs, he will have to move. Chris Owings if he can improve his plate discipline.

by The Scout on Mar 31, 2026 10:02 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

+1

http://diamondprospects.blogspot.com

by kstanz41 on Mar 31, 2026 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

ya

I like him and Segura

go long with extenze...i do

by angelsownredsux on Mar 31, 2026 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

+1 on Story

2nd Lindor.

by Traindogger on Mar 31, 2026 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I think everyone can guess what my response will be

But seriously, Simmons is the obvious answer IMO. I don’t think you can really trust anyone who hasn’t played in the upper minors to hit in the majors anyway, so give me the guy who should at least be a great defensive SS from the get go.

by nixa37 on Mar 31, 2026 10:21 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Simmons was my choice also.

God has to bruise you before he use you. So you'll be sensitive to his touch.

by ArmyITSpec on Mar 31, 2026 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Ryan Jackson

He’s ready defensively. Any minor leaguer has a poor chance of having an impact season with the bat, at least for his rookie year. I’m not concerned about long-term impact because we’re just talking 2012. So I want someone I know can pick it, and I’ll bury him in the 8-9 hole and cross my fingers about the bat.

Why, Albert?

by mateodh on Mar 31, 2026 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

Doesn't meet the criteria; he's already played in AA.

by Willie McGee's Twin on Mar 31, 2026 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I read #2

and didn’t process #2.

Fail.

Why, Albert?

by mateodh on Mar 31, 2026 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Indians SS

Anybody have any thoughts about the Indians group of SS which include Tony Wolters, Ronny Rodriguez, Dorssys Paulino & of course Francisco Lindor?

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by Savoy on Mar 31, 2026 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

I was actually going to pick R. Rodriguez...

but Peterson, Schoop (if he’s still considered a SS), or Simmons were all considered.

by dbreer23 on Mar 31, 2026 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Jean Segura

Seems like a nice choice if his hamstrings are healed.

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by shankbone on Mar 31, 2026 10:46 AM EDT reply actions

+1

Saw him at spring training, he looks ready now

by miketrout on Mar 31, 2026 11:06 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Leury Garcia would be the Texas candidate I suppose.

seems to be a good guy, speed, big arm and athleticism - but 37 E’s in 109 games in A+, and 100 Ks

Farm Probables

by shroomer on Mar 31, 2026 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

Let's see

As a Braves fan I’ll stay away from Simmons and go outside of the org. just to add some names.

What about:

2 Cubbies- Junior Lake and Jeimer Candelario

or 2 Rangers-Rougned Odor and Luis Sardinas?

by jerzbravesboy24 on Mar 31, 2026 11:34 AM EDT reply actions

Odor is an 18-yr-old 2nd baseman who's never played full season ball and ...

Sardinas “has appeared in just 30 career games––all of which have come in the rookie-level Arizona League” mostly because of bat-swinging injuries to BOTH shoulders.

Farm Probables

by shroomer on Mar 31, 2026 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

well

Lake played half of last year at AA so he’s out, I think. Candelario is an interesting idea—not sure he’s ever played SS professionally though. I’d probably lean away from him for that reason.

by PrincetonCubs on Mar 31, 2026 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Candelario isn't a shortstop

if he can stick at 3rd, it will be a nice surprise. May end up as a corner OF/1st guy.

Lake … besides the AA part, I wouldn’t put him at short this year. Still much work to do on fundamentals.

I wonder if you are thinking about Marco Hernandez instead of Jeimer Candelario.

by toonsterwu on Mar 31, 2026 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Lindor, Schoop or Simmons

by hrv2010 on Mar 31, 2026 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

Well, if you're guaranteeing me the guy will stay at shortstop....

….I’ll take Alex Hansen.

by Woo! on Mar 31, 2026 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

Obvious Bias is obvious

But I am going with Schoop. The defense might not be as good as Simmons but I think the bat is closer to not being a black hole. He might not wind up a SS but that will be determined not by his own ability but by Machado’s.

Lindor is obviously in the conversation, but he doesn’t even have a professional season under his belt, so I can’t trust him not to completely melt down.

Also would include Hamilton, only because speed always plays…

by ADLC on Mar 31, 2026 12:26 PM EDT reply actions

Curious, but why do you think Schoop's bat is closer to not being a black hole?

Don’t get me wrong, I like Schoop’s bat more long-term, but I’m not at all convinced it’s better than Simmons right now.

by nixa37 on Mar 31, 2026 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Simmons

Lindor is a close 2nd.

by noelman31 on Mar 31, 2026 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

Gonna say Javier Baez.

If you want to technically count him a shortstop.

by Adamthebluejay on Mar 31, 2026 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

by JoelGuzman'sScout on Mar 31, 2026 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

there's actually been some positive comments about his defense

at short this spring. he’ll be in XSt and likely head to Boise, assuming the Cubs want to keep him at short for the near future (I guess it’s possible he could go up, but there’s a talented prospect at short in Peoria with a high chance of sticking defensively at the spot in Marco Hernandez).

by toonsterwu on Mar 31, 2026 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Tyler Saladino

of the white sox

"The key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals, and three run homers."

by fourfingerwoo on Mar 31, 2026 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

Just to be different...

Joe Panik.

by Boxkutter on Mar 31, 2026 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

actually

I think Panik might be my choice, with Simmons also in the running.

I’d be reluctant to throw a high schooler like Lindor into the majors, even if his defense is excellent. If we’re picking on defense, why not take Simmons? I’d go with Levi Michael over Lindor, for example, out of recent draftees.

by PrincetonCubs on Mar 31, 2026 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Panik definitely

by Tim Montague on Mar 31, 2026 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

I like Panik too. I wouldn’t be surprised if he were for real.

by The Scout on Mar 31, 2026 5:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Adrianza

Panik’s a nice idea, but he isn’t even the best option within his own farm system. That would be Ehire Adrianza - said to be ready to play defense in the majors right now, but his bat needs work. Adrianza was set to start the 2011 season in AA Richmond, but he busted his thumb right before the end of spring training, sat out about 7 weeks, rehabbed for about 4 weeks in the Sally and then finished strong the last 2 months of the season in the Cal League (.300/.375/.470/.845 in 56 games). He’ll almost surely be a September callup this season unless he totally lays an egg in AA.

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by Fla-Giant on Mar 31, 2026 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Panik for sure

by Tim Montague on Mar 31, 2026 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

Since I'm a Tigers fan.....

I’ll stick with the Tigers, and go with Brandon Loy. His glove is ML ready or near it already, and that’s very important at SS. I’d bat him 9th in my lineup, and hope he flashes the leather enough to make me forget about the bat.

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by sportznut3081 on Mar 31, 2026 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

I would take Simmons but

I think Bogaerts is the best prospect currently at SS not named Profar or Machado and I think he could do a decent job on defense right now. The concern about SS is him filling up too much which is likely to happen

by Bososx13 on Mar 31, 2026 4:03 PM EDT reply actions

I'll take Schoop

I think that he has the best chance to contribute positively both offensively and defensively of the bunch.

by kyuss94 on Mar 31, 2026 4:10 PM EDT reply actions

Wilfredo Tovar

He would get massacred at the plate, but the hope is that his glove would keep him afloat. It is already plus plus, if I have heard correctly.

by Shevshevy on Mar 31, 2026 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

I'd like to throw Jorge (Chino) Vega-Rosado in.

He’s an interesting SS candidate in the low minors of the Jays system, had a pretty good first pro season last year. He’s also likely to stick at SS unlike someone like Bogaerts.

by transmogrifier on Mar 31, 2026 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

To give more background on my reasoning.

He’s got a balance of offensive tools, can take a walk, steal bases, some good average and power potential for a SS. Defense may need a bit of work (no shock considering he’s in rookie ball) but from what I’ve read he’s got potential there as well.

by transmogrifier on Mar 31, 2026 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

As soon as i read the headline to this article my gut was thinking Jean Segura or Andrelton Simmons...

Now after seeing all the comments i’ll go with…

Estarlin de los Santos - he has power… and while not a prospect any longer he should either be in AAA / AAAA or out of baseball this year.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/photo-logan-morrison-bryan-petersen-share-tub-drink-043548597.html

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Mar 31, 2026 5:48 PM EDT reply actions

okay clearly de los Santos was a bit of a joke.

I’ll take ~~Brian Dozier~~

I mean Joe Panik ….maybe just maybe Levi Michael.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/photo-logan-morrison-bryan-petersen-share-tub-drink-043548597.html

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Mar 31, 2026 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Panik

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by doublestix on Mar 31, 2026 6:23 PM EDT reply actions

Simmons

Not much to add to the discussion, I think he is the clear choice. The guy might win a major league job as it is. I’m not sure there is a good argument for anyone else.

by peachesnnuts on Mar 31, 2026 6:41 PM EDT reply actions