Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of Fantasy Baseball Shortstops (SS) for 2026? Get ready for a thrilling ride as we uncover hidden gems and potential pitfalls in the SS position. But here's where it gets controversial... Should you go for the high-risk, high-reward options or play it safe with more reliable picks? Let's explore the strategy and find out!
Sleepers
Mookie Betts
Mookie Betts is a fascinating case. At 33 years old, some might question his best days being behind him. However, a stomach illness in March could have set him up for a challenging season. Despite this, Betts remains an excellent defensive SS and is hitting atop one of the best lineups in the league. With ample opportunity to drive in and score runs, he's a reliable option for managers.
In 2025, Betts' strikeout rate remained excellent at 10.3%, and his walk rate dipped slightly to 9.2% from his career average of 10.6%. The power recovered, and his durability is impressive, logging at least 500 PAs in every season as a full-time starter (except the shortened 2020 year).
While there's a slight concern about his stolen base attempts, Betts is a former MVP who has been a top pick in the first or second round for the past 6-7 seasons. Currently available in the 5th round, he's a tempting option for managers looking to maximize upside while mitigating downside.
Corey Seager
Corey Seager, entering his age-32 season, is still one of the best hitters in baseball. He's been in the top 10% in Hard-Hit%, xwOBA, and xBA in each of the past three seasons, and added BB% to that list in 2025. However, Seager has struggled to stay on the field, missing 142 games over the past three seasons combined.
Seager's inclusion here is a strategy proposition. If he can stay on the field, he has an MVP-caliber ceiling. But with Yordan Alvarez, another injury-prone hitter, going 60 picks earlier, the potential risks are reduced. Investing in a lower-ceiling but reliable backup, like Dansby Swanson or Otto Lopez, could be a safer strategy.
Otto Lopez
Otto Lopez began 2025 as the starting 2B for the Marlins but took over at SS, solidifying an everyday role. Hitting in the middle of the order, Lopez put together a 15 HR and 15 SB season, which could have been even better if you look at his expected stats. His 13.8% strikeout rate and defensive ability keep his floor high, especially in points leagues.
Lopez is entering 2026 at 27 years old, so there's little concern of injury or decline. For managers who take a risk earlier at the position or punt on a weaker position like 2B, Lopez is a fine option to fall back on and could be a difference-maker in deeper leagues. He's currently the 19th SS and 14th 2B overall by ADP, a late-round pick in 12-team leagues.
Busts
Trevor Story
Trevor Story showed what a healthy season can look like at 32 years old with a 25 HR-31 SB campaign. However, there's a long list of concerns he would have to overcome to repeat this performance. Injury is still a threat for Story, especially as he gets older at a physically demanding defensive position.
The Red Sox front office has been public about improving their infield defense, an area where Story is declining. This could threaten his everyday playing time should he fall into a slump. His high K% (26.9) and low BB% (5.0) limit counting stats, could result in extended cold spells, and hurt his value in OBP leagues.
In a comparison of players, Story's upside is still worth chasing in SB-premium leagues, but in standard formats, it's better to look elsewhere at SS in the middle rounds. Players like Willy Adames and Jeremy Peña offer more balanced profiles.
Jacob Wilson
For those desperate to up their batting average, Jacob Wilson seems like the perfect fit. However, his 5.2% BB% hurts his value in OBP leagues, and he's not a big threat on the basepaths. His everyday role might not be guaranteed, and MLB's preseason #4 prospect, Leo De Vries, could threaten his spot.
While Wilson has an elite strikeout rate of only 7.5%, there's little else of promise for managers. His ADP currently sits around 170, one round later than Chandler Simpson, who offers a difference maker in another category on top of a .295 average. You can get a very similar profile to Wilson outside of the Top 250 with Brendan Donovan, who hit for an expected .296 BA and 10 HR in 118 games at the 2B position group.
In conclusion, the SS position offers a deep pool of options for fantasy managers, but it's crucial to balance risk and reward. By maximizing upside and mitigating downside, you can make informed decisions and build a strong team for the 2026 Fantasy Baseball season. So, are you ready to take the plunge and make some bold picks? The stage is set, and the game is on!
