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RotoBaller digs into baseball history by naming every MLB team's greatest shortstop of all time. Analysis and stats for every MLB team's greatest shortstop in history.
Every MLB Team's Greatest First Shortstop of All Time
Shortstop has long been the position for some of baseball’s most iconic – and electric – players. Read ahead as we highlight the greatest shortstop of all time for all 30 MLB teams. Will you agree with our selections?
Arizona Diamondbacks
Stephen Drew (Time w/ Team: 2006-12)
We wish we could kick our list off with a sexier name, but alphabetical order is what it is, and so is the Diamondbacks rather spotty history of game-changing shortstops. Two-time Gold Glove winner Nick Ahmed certainly earned consideration here, but ultimately, Drew was the vastly superior offensive player while being rock-solid in the field during his time in the desert.
Athletics
Bert Campaneris (1964-76)
A five-time All Star, Campaneris remains the A’s all-time hits leader with 1,882. A blazer on the base paths, he led the AL in stolen bases six times and stands second on the all-time A’s list behind only Rickey Henderson. Campaneris was a key member of three World Series-winning A’s squads.
Atlanta Braves
Johnny Logan (1951-60)
As a child of the 80s and 90s, Jeff Blauser will always hold a special place in my heart, and Rafael Furcal burned bright for a short time in the early 2000s. However, Johnny Logan held the shortstop position down with consistency and leadership for a decade. A four-time All Star, Logan contributed to two NL Pennant-winning clubs and a Worlds Series championship when the Braves were still in Milwaukee.
Baltimore Orioles
Cal Ripken Jr. (1981-2001)
The easiest decision on this list, there’s not ample enough space here to encapsulate Ripken’s greatness. He’ll always be remembered for breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played streak – a record that was long thought to be unbreakable – but it’s not like he was simply showing up to the ballpark, as Ripken played at a Hall of Fame level for close to two decades. He helped lead the O’s to a World Series title in 1983, was a two-time AL MVP, and 19-time All Star.
Boston Red Sox
Nomar Garciaparra (1996-2004)
Though injuries shortened his prime, Garciaparra’s peak remains unmatched by any other Red Sox shortstop in history. The AL Rookie of the Year in 1997, he won back-to-back AL batting titles in 1999-2000 and finished in the top 10 of AL MVP voting five times during his Boston tenure. A five-time All Star for Boston, Garciaparra finished with a .323 AVG, 178 HRs, 1,281 hits, and a career WAR of 41.8 in his 966 games with the Red Sox.
Chicago Cubs
Ernie Banks (1953-71)
The most beloved figure in franchise history, “Mr. Cub” remains a Chicago icon well past his playing days and passing in 2015. Banks won back-to-back NL MVP awards in 1958-59 and was named to 14 All-Star teams during his illustrious career. His offensive production far exceeds any shortstop that’s every suited up in the Windy City. Banks still stands second on the all-time Cubs list in HRs, RBIs, and Runs.
Chicago White Sox
Luke Appling (1930-50)
Appling was the first player in White Sox history to have his number retired, and the honor was well deserved. He was a hitting machine on the South Side, winning two AL batting titles and earning seven All Star nods. Appling remains Chicago’s all-time leader in hits and he trails just Frank Thomas in walks. He is also the all-time White Sox leader in WAR.
Cincinnati Reds
Barry Larkin (1986-2004)
The hometown kid turned into a franchise cornerstone for nearly two decades while establishing the gold standard for modern shortstops. Larkin’s combination of elite defense, speed, and hitting prowess helped the Reds to a World Series title in 1990, and later propelled him to being named the NL MVP in 1995. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, Larkin remains a Cincy icon.
Cleveland Guardians
Lou Boudreau (1938-50)
It really pains me to not have Omar Vizquel here, but Boudreau’s track record is pretty unassailable. An eight-time All Star, Boudreau was Cleveland’s player/manager in 1948 when he was named the AL MVP and helped the franchise win its most recent World Series title.
Colorado Rockies
Troy Tulowitzki (2006-15)
“Tulo” reached rarified air in the Mile High City, and stands out as the greatest Rockies shortstop we’ve seen. While it’s easy to wonder “what might have been” if not for all the injuries, Tulowitzki still put forth an elite career in Colorado while largely struggling to stay healthy for extended periods. Part of a 2007 Rockies team that reached the World Series, he won two Silver Slugger awards and two Gold Gloves, while also earning five All-Star selections during his Colorado tenure.
Detroit Tigers
Alan Trammell (1977-96)
An elite two-way player, Trammell was a franchise cornerstone for two decades. A six-time Gold Glove award winner, he helped the Tigers capture the 1984 World Series and earned WS MVP honors while hitting .450. Trammell teamed with second baseman Lou Whitaker to form one of the greatest double-play duos in baseball history.
Houston Astros
Carlos Correa (2015-21)
The 2015 AL Rookie of the Year, Correa combined power, elite defense, and leadership to Houston to six playoff appearances and the 2017 World Series title. He led all players in defensive WAR in 2021, a season for which he earned Gold Glove & Platinum Glove awards.
Kansas City Royals
Bobby Witt Jr. (2022-Present)
Sure, Witt’s career is still in its infancy. However, the 25-year-old has already accomplished things that haven’t been done by anyone wearing a Royals uniform. Witt was the first shortstop in MLB history to record two seasons of 30+ HRs & 30+ SBs, and the first player at any position to record multiple 30-30 campaigns through his age-24 season. The future is bright for Witt, as he’ll look to continue his assault on the KC record books.
Los Angeles Angels
Jim Fregosi (1961-71)
Debuting as a teenager in the upstart franchise’s second season, Fregosi was the first star player in Angels history. A six-time All Star, he was an elite defensive player who won the 1967 Gold Glove. Fregosi leads all shortstops in Angels history in WAR by a large margin. He would go on to manage the Angels (and other teams) following his playing days, and the Halos retired his number in 1998.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Pee Wee Reese (1940-42; 1946-58)
Even though he missed three seasons while serving in the Navy during WWII, Reese managed to put together the greatest career by a shortstop in Dodgers history. The heart and soul of seven pennant-winning teams and the 1955 World Series champions, Reese earned 10 All-Star nods and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1984. Among his many contributions to the game, Reese’s public support of teammate Jackie Robinson helped pave the way for integration of the major leagues.
Miami Marlins
Hanley Ramirez (2006-12)
One of the most complete players to ever wear a Marlins uniform, Ramirez burst on the scene by winning the 2006 NL Rookie of the Year award. He put together arguably the greatest stretch in Marlins history between 2006-2010, winning the 2009 NL batting title with a .342 average, and earning two Silver Slugger awards.
Milwaukee Brewers
Robin Yount (1974-92)
Yount is the landslide winner here, as he’s not just the greatest shortstop in Brewers history, but the greatest overall player. He transitioned to centerfield later in his career, but Yount won the AL MVP and a Gold Glove while playing shortstop in 1982. He tallied over 3,000 hits in his career and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Minnesota Twins
Roy Smalley (1976-82; 1985-87)
When you dig into Twins history at the shortstop position, there’s not a lot of greatness to be found. However, Smalley was really good for a really long time, which is enough to earn the nod here. An All Star in 1979, he flashed power at the plate during an era when that was a genuine rarity for shortstops.
New York Mets
Jose Reyes (2003-11; 2016-18)
The greatest leadoff hitter in Mets history, Reyes was a certified electric factory during his time in Flushing. The four-time All Star won the NL batting title in 2011 and a Silver Slugger award in ’06. Reyes remains the Mets all-time leader in triples and stolen bases, while trailing only David Wright in hits and runs in the franchise record book.
New York Yankees
Derek Jeter (1995-2014)
One of the greatest Yankees of them all, “The Captain” was a consistent hitter, excellent defensive player, and clutch postseason performer. Jeter was the cornerstone of New York’s late-’90s dynasty and was the captain of five World Series title teams. His 3,465 career hits are the most in Yankees history and he was elected to the Hall of Fame with 99.75% of the vote – the highest vote percentage ever for a position player.
Philadelphia Phillies
Jimmy Rollins (2000-14)
A legend in the City of Brotherly Love, “J-Roll” was a force for the Phillies at the shortstop position. Philadelphia’s all-time leader in hits, Rollins was the 2007 NL MVP and Silver Slugger award winner. The most impactful leadoff hitter in team history and a four-time Gold Glove winner, he helped the Phillies to the 2008 World Series title.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Honus Wagner (1900-17)
“The Flying Dutchman” is perhaps best known to the current generations of fans for the value of his baseball card. Well kids… it’s worth that much for a reason, as Wagner was one of baseball’s first-ever superstars and is considered by many to be the greatest shortstop to ever play. He won eight batting titles and a World Series with the Pirates. Wagner was one of five players in the Hall of Fame’s first class.
San Diego Padres
Fernando Tatis Jr. (2019-Present)
The Padres history at shortstop is strange to say the least. Ozzie Smith and Khalil Greene spent brief time there, while Garry Templeton was the team’s everyday shortstop for a decade, posting solid, if unspectacular numbers. As a result, will give this to Tatis almost by default due to his unrivaled offensive production. Though he’s now shifted to right field, his time at the position for the Padres was historic, as he led the NL with 42 homers in 2021, the only time that feat has been accomplished by a San Diego shortstop.
San Francisco Giants
Brandon Crawford (2011-23)
With all due respect to Travis Jackson, Crawford is the best defensive shortstop in Giants history, was a key player on two World Series-winning teams, and provided enough pop in the bat to be dangerous at the plate. Crawford became the first Giants player since Barry Bonds to win a Gold Glove & Silver Slugger award in the same season. He totaled four Gold Gloves in his career and holds the franchise record for most games played at shortstop.
Seattle Mariners
Alex Rodriguez (1994-2000)
Despite the controversial later years of his career, Seattle-era A-Rod was pure baseball greatness. The most talented player to ever play the position for the Mariners, between the ages of 20-24, Rodriguez developed into a generational superstar. He won the AL batting title in 1996 – a season in which he hit .358 with 36 HRs and led the league in doubles, runs, and total bases. His WAR in seven seasons with the Mariners – 38.1 – rivals that of full careers for some very good shortstops.
St. Louis Cardinals
Ozzie Smith (1982-96)
The “Wizard of Oz” is arguably the greatest defensive shortstop in history. In his 15 years with the Cardinals, Smith was named to 14 All-Star teams, won 11 Gold Gloves, and one Silver Slugger award. He helped St. Louis to three World Series appearances and the World Title in 1982. While the Hall of Famer is best known for his spectacular defensive ability, Smith became a consistently-solid presence at the plate, amassing 1,944 hits during his tenure with the Cardinals.
Tampa Bay Rays
Julio Lugo (2003-06)
With no offense to Julio Lugo, Tampa’s franchise history at shortstop is pretty thin. That said, Lugo is clearly at the top of the heap, as he’s the all-time Rays leader in hits, runs, doubles, RBIs, and stolen bases at the shortstop position.
Texas Rangers
Elvis Andrus (2009-20)
This was one of the most difficult decisions on the list, as the Rangers history at the shortstop position is complicated. Alex Rodriguez put forth monster production during his time in Texas but was only with the club for three seasons. Michael Young is rightly considered one of the greatest players in Rangers history but only played shortstop from 2004-08. That brings us to Andrus, who was a franchise cornerstone at short for over a decade, was the best defensive player at the position in Rangers history, and was a leader of two AL-pennant-winning clubs.
Toronto Blue Jays
Tony Fernandez (1983-90; 1993; 1998-99; 2001)
The winner of four Gold Gloves and the 1993 World Series with Toronto, Fernandez remains the definitive shortstop in Blue Jays history. A dazzling defensive player with seemingly limitless range, he was also a rock-solid presence at the plate. Fernandez remains Toronto’s all-time leader in games played, hits, and triples. Though he tragically passed away at just 57 in 2020, Fernandez will always be remembered in Toronto as a beloved member of the Blue Jays.
Washington Nationals
Trea Turner (2015-21)
Though Turner has spent the latter portion of his career in L.A. and Philadelphia, he did enough during his tenure with the Nationals to earn the honors here. Turner hit .300 across his 637 games with Washington, stealing 192 bases with a WAR of 19.6. What sets him apart from his closest competitor, Ian Desmond, is his crucial role as a member of the Nationals only World Series title-winning team in 2019.
