2026 Shortstop Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Points Leagues

January 13, 2026

2026 points fantasy baseball shortstop rankings, tiers, draft strategy for shortstops and points leagues. Nick Mariano is a top-accuracy fantasy baseball ranker.

At RotoBaller HQ, we continue our positional points rankings series and today review the shortstop position. In points leagues, Bobby Witt Jr. is the only shortstop ranked in the top 10 overall, while Elly De La Cruz, Francisco Lindor, and Gunnar Henderson are the only other shortstops in the first tier. The position is loaded with talent, and fantasy managers can likely wait until later in the drafts before selecting their starting SS. We break the position down with our 2026 fantasy baseball shortstop rankings for points leagues and head-to-head (H2H) points leagues.

The shortstop rankings below are specifically designed for points leagues. We also have many other fantasy baseball rankings, tools, and resources to help you win in 2026. Throughout the preseason and MLB season, we'll be publishing rankings, tools, and analysis articles, all geared for fantasy baseball points and H2H points leagues -- so bookmark that link and be sure to check back often.

In the article below, we will be taking a look at our shortstop points rankings list put together by RotoBaller's MLB expert Nick Mariano. These rankings cover the top 30 shortstops. Be sure to also download our free fantasy baseball mobile app so you can stay on top of all the MLB news and analysis articles.

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2026 Shortstop Rankings: Points Leagues

These SS rankings are for points and head-to-head points leagues. You can also see our roto fantasy baseball rankings.

Before we get to the rankings, let's quickly review points leagues and how they differ from other formats. Typically, points leagues have different league settings and scoring formats than other fantasy baseball leagues. Different MLB stats and categories are assigned different point values, and those can vary by individual league settings. Those different point buckets are then added up over the course of a scoring period or season.

In many cases, hitters who walk more and strike out less are preferred for points leagues. Also, many league formats tend to give more weight to pitchers than normal, as they can easily accrue points through categories like Innings Pitched. These are the general frameworks that we use for our points league rankings below, and explain why they look different than more standard 5x5 roto fantasy baseball rankings.

Fantasy Baseball Shortstop News

Jordan Lawlar, Arizona Diamondbacks

According to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Jordan Lawlar could see opportunities in center field during spring training. While the former top prospect has only seen opportunities at shortstop and third base during his first two stints in the big league, it appears the Diamondbacks are exploring an alternative way to get him on the field.

Lawlar has seen his MLB opportunities limited due to the crowded nature of the Arizona infield and, most recently, Geraldo Perdomo's breakout campaign in 2025. Last summer, Lawlar appeared in just 28 games for the Diamondbacks, posting a .182/.257/.288 line. He made his MLB debut in 2024 and held a .129/.206/.129 line across 14 contests.

However, at Triple-A, Lawlar has been quite productive, posting an elite .328/.414/.576 line through 91 games. He is a name to keep a close eye on as he could carry five-category upside if he were to see an everyday role in Arizona.

Bo Bichette, Free Agent

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Boston Red Sox will now turn their attention to free-agent infielder Bo Bichette after missing out on third baseman Alex Bregman. Bregman inked a massive five-year $175 million contract with the Cubs, but the Red Sox were expressing significant interest in him and even offered him a similar offer. However, Nightingale reports that the Red Sox remain interested in improving their infield before the start of the season.

In 2026, Bichette posted a stellar .311/.357/.483 line with 44 doubles, 18 home runs, and four stolen bases. This was a massive bounce-back for Bichette in comparison to his .225/.277/.322 line he held the year prior. If Bichette were to agree to terms with the Red Sox, he could limit Marcelo Mayer's playing time, as Bichette would likely slot in as the everyday third baseman.

Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (shoulder) said on WBAL Radio on Thursday night that he had a shoulder impingement "pretty much for three-quarters of the year," according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Henderson dropped off in the home run department from 37 in 2024 to 17 last year, and also in RBI from 92 to 68. His slugging percentage fell from .529 to .438, and his OPS dropped from .893 to .787.

"I just wasn't able to hold the plane, and my body was adjusting to it, not feeling great, so that didn't really set me up in the right spot to leverage the ball like I normally do," Henderson said. "So getting over that and ready to roll this season."

An intercostal strain suffered in spring training also got the 24-year-old off to a late start in early April. Fantasy managers might be able to get a slight discount on a player who should be in a great spot to bounce back as one of the best all-around position players in baseball.

Brett Wisely, Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired infielder Brett Wisely and left-hander Ken Waldichuk from the Atlanta Braves on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Wisely has played parts of three seasons in the big leagues with the San Francisco Giants and Braves, posting a .214 batting average and .584 OPS in 168 games.

He'll serve as a utility infielder for the Rays in 2026, with the ability to play second base, shortstop, third base, and center field. Waldichuk, 28, pitched in 42 games over 2022-23 with the Athletics before missing 2024 and some of 2025 after having Tommy John surgery.

He has mostly been a starter in his career, going 6-11 with a 5.28 ERA in 42 major-league games. Wisely is out of minor-league options, which should help his chances of winning an Opening Day roster spot as a bench player.

Paul DeJong, New York Yankees

The New York Yankees have signed free-agent infielder Paul DeJong to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. This isn't a blockbuster move, but the veteran infielder provides the team with extra depth. Last season, DeJong slashed .228/.269/.373 with six home runs and 23 RBI across 57 games with the Washington Nationals.

His best days are likely behind him, but DeJong does have three 20-plus-homer seasons under his belt. The 32-year-old is capable of playing three different infield positions and does have some postseason experience as well. This is a low-risk move to add another bench bat, but DeJong is unlikely to offer much fantasy value.

Orlando Arcia, Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins have signed free-agent shortstop Orlando Arcia to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. Arcia will look to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season. He slashed .202/.238/.291 with three home runs and 13 RBI across 76 games with the Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies last year.

Arcia is only a few years removed from an All-Star campaign he had with the Braves in 2023. It's a low-risk gamble for the Twins, who could potentially be getting a quality backup infielder in Arcia.

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