We go deep here. I feel like that is not something I get to say often this preseason in going through single league ranks. However, for multiple reasons, there are plenty of National League shortstops I am comfortable with. In fact, I feel like my NL-Only shortstop rankings go deeper than any other infield position.
Again, there’s some clear tiering that takes place at the top of the list, and then we get into the exciting part. Between Konnor Griffin and JJ Wetherholt, there’s a good reason that the National League Rookie of the Year winner comes from this group. Between the top options and the rookies, it’s also very easy to let strong veterans like Willy Adames and Dansby Swanson slip through the cracks.
Let’s jump right into my 2026 National League shortstop rankings as we continue to prepare for the upcoming season.
National League Only Shortstop Notes
Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
Just because you don’t necessarily think of Mookie Betts as a shortstop, it doesn’t mean we can’t utilize him there. It’s also important to note that Betts is coming off a down year. Due to a sickness, his 2025 season got off to a rough start and simply never recovered.
All things considered, Betts still played 150 games, but his performance suffered. Betts hit .258 while his ISO dropped from .202 to .148. That continued a slippery downward slope, as in 2023, Betts’ ISO was .272. However, considering his career mark is .222, I’m willing to give Betts a chance to turn things around.
That comes after Betts hit 20 home runs to go along with 82 RBI and 95 runs scored. After stealing 16 bases in 120 games in 2024, Betts dropped to eight stolen stolen bases last season. Despite his struggles, Betts maintained his strong plate approach as he walked 9.2% of the time compared to a strikeout rate of just 10.3%.
While we can see Betts’ entire stat line on the back of his baseball card, focusing on his second half might have more value. In 61 games, Betts hit .279 with nine home runs, 37 RBI, and 39 runs scored.
The Dodgers are taking things slow with Betts this spring, but there’s no reason why he can’t, at the least, pick up on his pace from the second half. He might not be the dynamic star he once was, but there’s still a lot to like.
Bo Bichette, New York Mets
For our purposes, it doesn’t matter that Bo Bichette will be playing third base. In fact, it only adds to his value and flexibility as he enters the National League player pool for the first time.
Bichette tracks a little differently than other shortstops, but we shouldn’t hold that against him. After batting .311 last season, Bichette has a career .294 average. That skill set becomes even more valuable as hitting for average has become a lost art. Adding a player like Bichette is helpful from a roster construction standpoint.
Where things get interesting, though, is that Bichette no longer runs, and he’s not an overwhelming power threat. Last season, he hit 18 home runs in 139 games, but Bichette proved his worth with 94 RBI. With the Mets this season, he should be a strong run producer, and I’d expect him to break the 100 RBI mark for the second time in his career.
Ezequiel Tovar, Colorado Rockies
Ezequiel Tovar is a very interesting player. He plays in Coors Field, but that hasn’t seemed to really impact his performance. Or has it? To be honest, I’m not sure how accurate the statement really is.
In 2023, Tovar stole 11 bases, and that was followed up by six in 2024 and five last season. It’s not enough to move the needle, and it sets you behind at the shortstop position, but we’ll take all the stolen bases we can get.
As a 22-year-old, there was a lot to like about Tovar’s performance in 2024. He hit .269 with 26 home runs, 78 RBI, and 83 runs scored. It did come thanks, in part, to a .344 BABIP, and his .231 xBA was perhaps more indicative of what we can expect. Tovar had a 9% barrel rate, and his .469 SLG did outpace his .411 xSLG.
Last season, things went in the opposite direction as Tovar had a .400 SLG and .442 xSLG in 97 games. His barrel rate improved, but only slightly, to 9.3% as Tovar has seemingly settled in for a baseline. That led to nine home runs and 33 RBI and mild, at best, expectations for 2026.
From a home run and RBI perspective, things are pretty similar for Tovar whether he’s at home or on the road. The batting average, though, is where we really see an issue; .290 at home and .227 away from Coors Field.
Assuming he returns to health, Tovar should be a solid accumulator once again. Just don’t expect anything more.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
2026 NL-Only Shortstop Rankings
| Rnk | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elly De La Cruz | CIN |
| 2 | Francisco Lindor | NYM |
| 3 | Trea Turner | PHI |
| 4 | Mookie Betts | LAD |
| 5 | Geraldo Perdomo | ARI |
| 6 | CJ Abrams | WSH |
| 7 | Bo Bichette | NYM |
| 8 | Willy Adames | SF |
| 9 | Dansby Swanson | CHC |
| 10 | Xavier Edwards | MIA |
| 11 | Ezequiel Tovar | COL |
| 12 | Konnor Griffin | PIT |
| 13 | Otto Lopez | MIA |
| 14 | JJ Wetherholt | STL |
| 15 | Masyn Winn | STL |
| 16 | Xander Bogaerts | SD |
| 17 | Nasim Nunez | WAS |
| 18 | Jett Williams | MIL |
| 19 | Joey Ortiz | MIL |
| 20 | Jared Triolo | PIT |
| 21 | Jorge Mateo | ATL |
| 22 | Mauricio Dubon | ATL |
| 23 | Aidan Miller | PHI |
| 24 | Ryan Ritter | COL |
| 25 | Ha-Seong Kim | ATL |
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