The Next Golden Era of Shortstops Is Already Around the Corner

[Editor's note: Major League Baseball enters the 2017 season loaded with talent at the shortstop position like it has never seen before—not even in the early and mid-1990s, when Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Nomar Garciaparra arrived. This week, VICE Sports will preview the upcoming season by examining the shortstop position, how it has evolved over the past 100 years, and where things stand right now.]

So, you're looking for a shortstop prospect.

You've come to the right place. Or rather, you've come to the right time. Baseball is absolutely loaded with top quality prospects at the position right now. Of ESPN senior writer Keith Law's top five prospects entering 2017, four of them are likely to play shortstop. Of course, the position has always been held in high regard. Think back to your Little League days: Where did the best player always play?

At the same time, the amount of talent currently out there is borderline overwhelming. They're no longer prospects, but young big league players. Francisco Lindor, Addison Russell, and Carlos Correa have already made a huge impact despite their relative lack of experience.

You want that next Lindor, Correa, or Russell to be a part of your life? I can't blame you. Let me give you some options.

If you're looking for something in an offensive model—that's offensive like hitting, not offensive like the Padres rotation—take a look at Colorado Rockies prospect Brendan Rodgers. Rodgers was the third pick of the 2015 draft, a draft that saw two shortstops go ahead of him in Dansby Swanson, to the Diamondbacks, (whoops) and Alex Bregman, to the Astros.

Bregman and Swanson both had higher floors due to their age and experience level, but Rodgers has a chance to be better than both. He's the rare middle infielder who has a chance for a plus (60, on the 20-80 scouting scale) hit and power tool, and while there were some growing pains in his first full professional season, there were more flashes of brilliance than moments of frustration. He's only an average runner, but his instincts are outstanding, and he can make all of the throws you're looking for from a quarterback, er, shortstop. Yes, there's the obvious volatility of a 20-year-old, but the upside here is palpable.

But maybe you're looking for something that's a little more defense-oriented. I respect that. Phillies prospect J.P. Crawford might be your cup of tea. A first-round pick in 2013, Crawford has quickly become one of the best defensive shortstop prospects in baseball. Like Rodgers, he's not a speed demon, but you'd struggle to find a young infielder who gets better reads on the baseball, and his actions are as smooth as the jazz station at the end of your dial. There's plenty of arm strength at his disposal, too, so he's not just keeping the ball in front of him, he's getting outs, dang it.

Oh, you saw that batting average? Yeah, .244 in the International League is nothing to email home about, but let's keep a couple of things in mind. First of all, his on-base percentage was .328, so he was still showing a quality approach at the plate even though the hits weren't dropping. Second of all, the hits weren't dropping. Crawford still has a great chance to hit for average, and he can steal a couple bags, too.

Ah, you're looking for something that can steal a lot of bags. You really should have told me that before. I'd love to recommend Atlanta's Ozzie Albies or Yankee prospect Jorge Mateo, but it looks like they're switching positions to accommodate other shortstops. Sorry about that. There is still Amed Rosario, though, and I think you're gonna like him. Rosario was signed for $1.75 million way back in 2012, the biggest bonus the New York Mets have ever given an international prospect (Rosario is from the Domincan Republic). All he's done since entering the system is impress, but things escalated quickly when he hit .341 in Double-A last year. He's a plus runner, and the 19 bases he stole last year are likely just a starting point as he advances through the system. Add in quality defense and you've got yourself one of the best prospects, period—not just shortstops—in all of baseball.

You're looking for someone a little more under the radar? How quaint. All right, why don't we take a look at Milwaukee's Isan Diaz. Diaz came over to the Brewers in the deal that sent Jean Segura to the Diamondbacks as a relatively unknown prospect. He's certainly not an unknown commodity at this point, but he still isn't getting mentioned when we talk about the best shortstop prospects in baseball. He should be. The left-handed Diaz has plus power in his bat, and while he strikes out too much, he also draws walks to help balance things out. He's also not a lock to stick at shortstop—the Brewers may have their shortstop of the future/present in Orlando Arcia—but there's just enough athleticism and arm strength to give him a chance. If he can stay there, he has a chance to be a perennial All-Star.

How about something that's a little further down the line? Yeah, we talked about Rodgers, but Rodgers is a finished product compared to Braves' prospect Kevin Maitan. Assuming you don't pay attention to international free agents—and you probably shouldn't—you likely don't know that the Venezuelan Maitan was given $4.25 million dollars to sign with the Braves last July, the biggest signing bonus of any IFA that summer. That's no small chunk of change, but if Maitan is as good as some think, it'll be a pittance. He just turned 17 in February, and you would never guess it by looking at him. He has tremendous bat speed, and he oozes power potential, with good feel for hitting on top of it. His arm is also a howitzer, easily a 70 on the scale, if not higher.

The concern with Maitan is that he's already not fleet of foot, so staying at shortstop is unlikely. Atlanta is going to give him a chance, and you can't really blame them. With that kind of offensive potential, he could become one of the best players in baseball. You're just probably going to have to wait for one more presidential election to happen before you see him wearing a big-league uniform. He could be worth the wait.

None of that wowed you, huh? Wow. You're picky. All of these players have a chance to be above-average players at one of, if not the most premium positions in the sport. But you're looking for that next big thing, aren't you? All right. My boss is going to kill me for letting him go, but this is the one you're waiting for.

His name is Gleyber Torres, he plays for the New York Yankees, and he just might be the best prospect in baseball.

Can he hit for average? You bet. He has a smooth line-drive swing and he can spray the ball all over the park. Can he hit for power? Yep, this is not a dink-and-dunk guy. Maybe he doesn't have the power of Rodgers and Maitan, but 15-plus homer seasons are well within the realms of possibility. Can he run? Certainly enough to play shortstop. And yep, before you even ask, he can play defense. He can really play defense. He's smooth and athletic and makes the spectacular look routine.

More than that, though, there are some players who just "get it." Torres gets it. He wows scouts with his acumen on the baseball field, and for someone who doesn't turn 21 until December, his lack of mental mistakes is very impressive. He's not quite ready, but if we talk again this summer, he just might be.

We've given you a lot of options, but we really barely scratched the surface. Players like Tampa Bay's Willy Adames, Oakland's Franklin Barreto, and Minnesota's Nick Gordon all have elite talent. People are calling this a "golden age" for the position at the major league level, but the quality and quantity of shortstops extends to the minors, too.

Now pick one…

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