Top 20 NL only Shortstops for 2014

Now that we have completed our consensus position rankings for 2014, it is time to address rankings for those of you in AL only and NL only leagues. I will publish league specific position rankings each day, addressing one position at a time, starting with the NL only position rankings.

In case you missed them, below you will find links to all of our consensus position rankings and projections that we have published to date:

Catcher: Part 1| Part 2

First Base: Part 1| Part 2

Second Base: Part 1| Part 2

Shortstop: Part 1| Part 2

Third Base: Part 1| Part 2

Outfielders: Part 1| Part 2| Part 3

Starting Pitcher: Part 1| Part 2| Part 3

The shortstop position is very deep in the National League this season, as the top eight shortstops will provide owners with solid every day production. Hanley Ramirez is my top shortstop in the NL, as he seems to be a different player in Los Angeles than he was in his last few seasons in Miami. If he can stay away from injuries, he is an NL MVP candidate this season.

The same can be said for Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, as he is a .290-30-100 hitter if he can play 145 games this season.

Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond is closing in on entering the conversation for best NL shortstop, after his back to back 20 home run, 20 stolen base seasons. Some think he has more power in his bat. Should that come, he will give Hanley and Tulo a run for the top spot for sure. I recently traded for a $19 Desmond in one of my NL only keeper leagues, giving up a $6 Anthony Rendon and a $5 Brandon Beachy. Obviously, this trade was made prior to Beachy going down with injury.

I see Starlin Castro returning to the hitter he was before last season. I have stated here a few times that the Cubs asked him to take more pitches last season, but that did not lead to their desired results. Castro will go back to being the hitter he was before 2013, and I see him hitting .285 with double digit home runs and stolen bases. If he does not bounce back, look for the Cubs to call up Javier Baez.

Baez should be up by June/July timeframe, and if he hits like I think he can, he could be a top 3-4 shortstop in NL only leagues as soon as 2015.

Diamondbacks shortstop Chris Owings is another guy who could break out this season, assuming he gets the starting nod over Didi Gregorius.

Top 20 NL only shortstops for 2014

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