In order to be successful in baseball, a team must be strong up the middle. In order to be strong up the middle, a team must have a talented, dedicated shortstop. The National League has a batch of young shortstops that fit this description and are entering the primes of their careers. Here is my ranking of these top shortstops who can solidify the middle infield of any ball club:
1. Jose Reyes (New York Mets) – Jose Reyes is the most explosive shortstop in the National League, leading the league in hits (103), triples (12), and batting average (.336). Besides getting hits, Reyes utilizes his speed to steal bases as he has taken 26 bags this year. Most importantly, Reyes is a contact hitter that has the ability to consistently put himself in a position to score runs. The only concern with Reyes is his knack for getting hurt. Unfortunately, Reyes has missed significant time with injuries, especially in the 2009 campaign, and has spent other lengthy stretches playing hurt. However, from 2005-2010, that was the only year in which Reyes played less than 100 games. When in the lineup, Reyes makes the Mets totally different team. With free agency approaching, Reyes is expected to get big money, whether it be with the Mets or another team, but, at 28 years old, he has proven he deserves it.
2. Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado Rockies) – Troy Tulowitzki started off the year at unbelievable pace, crushing the ball and leading the Colorado Rockies off to a great start. Since then, Tulowitzki has cooled off (as have the Rockies) but he is still batting a solid .274. While he is not as explosive, Tulowitzki certainly has more pop than Reyes, hitting more than 25 home runs in each of the past two seasons and on pace to break that mark again this year with 13 home runs already. Tulowitzki has been noted for his strong fielding as well, recording only three errors this season. At 26, Tulowitzki has already emerged as one of the leaders in the clubhouse. As he continues to develop, his bat, as well as his glove, will give him the opportunity carry the Colorado Rockies for years to come.
3. Starlin Castro (Chicago Cubs) – Starlin Castro has been a pleasant surprise on a struggling Cubs team. Castro, with 97 hits, is only second in the National League to Jose Reyes and is batting an impressive .320 on the year. Another contact hitter at the top of the lineup, Castro has come up with hits on a consistent basis and has only struck out 34 times thus far. The only major problem with Castro is his fielding. Last season, in 125 games, he had 27 errors. This season, he already has accumulated 15 errors. It is important to note that Castro is only in his second year in the Majors and is just 21 years old. To be hitting the ball so well is very impressive and he has plenty of time to develop. If he can improve his fielding, Starlin Castro and second baseman Darwin Barney could be the best middle infield in the National League.
Honorable Mention: Hanley Ramirez (Florida Marlins) – Many people have referred to Hanley Ramirez as the top shortstop in the league in part because he hit over .300 in his first four years with the Marlins. While he may have the potential to be the best, he is missing the work ethic and the attitude to make it happen. We have seen him play lazy in the field and seem disinterested in the goals of the team. He is now batting just over .200 and was recently confronted by teammate Logan Morrison for his tardiness to the ballpark each day. This behavior is embarrassing and unacceptable. It is so bad that interim manager Jack McKeon benched the star shortstop on his first day on the job. If Ramirez wants to live up to his full potential (which could make him the best in the league), he better start acting like a leader and show his teammates he is dedicated to winning.