I love sports debates. as you can probably realize I am a huge sports fan. For baseball, I love the New York Mets so therefore, I am naturally inclined to pick Jose Reyes to be the best shortstop in Major League Baseball. Now even though you guys might not be Mets fans you have to admit Jose Reyes is probably one of the best shortstops around. Who are your choices? There is a very good argument for the shortstop on the other side of New York, who as you might know is Derek Jeter. He does hold more rings and hits for much better average, but I feel his defense is digressing and he is not as good as people pan him out to be. He only hits for average, and yes he does hit very well in the clutch. He has no power, isn't that fast, and really isnt the player he used to be. Jimmy Rollins, who stole the National League MVP last year from Matt Holiday, is another solid choice. He does bring a lot to the table with both his glove and bat. However, most of his stats from last year were inflated from hitting mostly at Citizens Bank Ballpark. If Reyes or anyone else for that matter hit there half the time, their stats would be inflated also. Now that is not to take anything away from Rollin's year but some of it did have to do with hitting at a very hitter-friendly ballpark. Another major candidate is Hanely Ramirez. He did it all last year, hitting well above .300, hitting for power, and stealing bases. He was an all-around machine. And he did it with basically one other bat in the lineup: Miguel Cabrera. No one really protected him in the lineup but Cabrera. However, the knock on him is his defense, or lack thereof. He led the majors in errors and has been prone to sleep on the job when he is on defense. So which one is best?
Best Shortstop in Baseball?
By thecoastisclear - Posted on March 3rd, 2008



As good as Reyes is, Hanley Ramirez had 17 more homers, a BA 52 points higher, 24 more RBIs, as well as higher hits, runs, doubles, OBP, Slugging Percentage, and OPS in 2007...and although Reyes stole way more bases, 78 versues 51, both have almost the same percentage. And already this year Hanley is off too a very hot start and will certainly, bearing injury, will be an MVP candidate.