Fantasy: Shortstop Composite Rankings
theScore's 2015 fantasy rankings apply to standard 10-team, 5x5 rotisserie leagues. Our MLB editors - Jonah Birenbaum, Dan Toman, Greg Warren and Brandon Wile - ranked 40 shortstops and the top 25 are listed below. Check out all of theScore's fantasy content for the upcoming season here.
View rankings by position: C I 1B I 2B I SS I 3B I OF I SP I RP
Analysis: 4 high/low rankings
Jung-ho Kang, Pittsburgh Pirates
Rank: 20 (Birenbaum: 15)
JB: Kang became the first position player to transition from the Korean Baseball Organization to MLB for a reason. Even in his native country's notoriously hitter-friendly league, the 27-year-old shortstop distinguished himself offensively last season, blasting 40 home runs with a 1.198 OPS over 117 games for the Nexen Heroes. He may struggle to get regular at-bats, but manager Clint Hurdle said earlier this spring that the Pirates "brought in a player who's going to be an everyday player." Though his role is unclear at this point, Kang's power potential affords him the kind of upside that doesn't really exist at the shortstop position anymore.
Ben Zobrist, Oakland Athletics
Rank: 8.8 (Toman: 7)
DT: If you miss out on the top six shortstops, you can go one of three routes: play it safe with either Zobrist or Jimmy Rollins, or roll the dice on a high-risk youngster. Here are three reasons to pick the switch-hitting Zobrist: second base, shortstop and outfield. The Swiss Army Knife of fantasy baseball affords owners the luxury of banking on his dependable results (averaging .274-83-14-66-12 over his last three years), while providing injury insurance at a pair of premium positions. Zobrist's stellar OBP suggests he still has double-digit steal and high-run scoring potential, and his career splits are favorable to both sides. He alone won't win your league, but he'll make your roster much more efficient.
Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers
Rank: 9.8 (Warren: 6)
GW: If you're feeling bold and have missed out on drafting one of the top-five shortstops, Andrus is your man. His 2014 campaign sucked, but the whole team's aura was tainted by injuries. Andrus signed an eight-year, $120-million contract extension in 2013 and has yet to live up to the hype. You might not fancy Andrus as much I do, but keep him in mind if he's still available in later rounds. His 30-steal potential and durability (played in at least 145 games in all six of his big league seasons) are at least worth a look.
Hanley Ramirez, Boston Red Sox
Rank: 2 (Wile: 1)
BW: Ramirez's return to Boston comes with a position change (to the outfield) that should be less taxing on his body and keep him in the lineup more than in years past, while also giving him another position of eligibility. The offense has never been a problem and when healthy, the three-time All-Star is capable of putting up MVP-caliber numbers. Over the past two seasons Ramirez has 60 doubles, 33 home runs, 128 RBIs, 24 stolen bases and a .308 average in 214 games. A move to Fenway Park should only boost the right-handed hitter's home run and double totals next season. Also keep in mind that Troy Tulowitzki has missed 222 games over the past three seasons and has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason. Should he be moved out of Colorado and Coors Field, expect his numbers to more closely resemble the career .274/.349/.469 line he's posted on the road.