Prospect Updates: Central Division Shortstops

We're just over a third of the way through the minor league season, and with that let's take a look at how some of our top shortstop prospects have performed so far. We looked at outfielders from the NL East last month, so let's move west and into the infield with a look at the shortstops in both leagues' central divisions. All rankings referenced are from our preseason top 20 fantasy shortstop prospect list.

#6 - Orlando Arcia, Brewers

Through 50 games at AAA Colorado Springs, Arcia is hitting .309/.344/.420 with four home runs and nine stolen bases. He's been even better in June so far, hitting .476 in his first 6 games. Arcia remains an elite prospect for both the Brewers and fantasy owners, as he can provide elite production in two categories (AVG, SB), above-average in another (Runs), and at least reasonable production in the other two.

#8 - Tim Anderson, White Sox

Anderson had a great month of May, hitting .349/.387/.488 with three home runs and six stolen bases, and raised his overall numbers to .297/.321/.392. The concerns with Anderson remain the same as at the start of the year, namely his defensive home long-term and a consistently low walk rate. Anderson could still be up at some point during the season given the White Sox' standings currently, and can be an interesting contributor when that happens.

#11 - Nick Gordon, Twins

Gordon is a bit overlooked in the Twins' system given the strength of some of their most recent graduates, but he's having the best season of his career at High-A this year. He's hitting .287/.339/.410 with two home runs and seven stolen bases, good for a 123 wRC+ so far. I personally have tended to underrate Gordon in the past, and with a profile that is expected to be above-average defensively, he could be the top prospect in the Twins' system at the end of the year.

#12 - Gleyber Torres, Cubs

Torres is one of the youngest players at the High-A level, and is playing in one of the more pitcher-friendly leagues (Carolina), but has hit extremely well so far. With six home runs, 10 stolen bases, a 10% walk rate and a 123 wRC+, the numbers are all pointing to a potential fantasy monster down the line. The Cubs can take it nice and slow with Torres given his age and the depth chart in front of him.

#15 - Raul Mondesi, Royals

Mondesi started the season at AA Northwest Arkansas, and was hitting .250 with five home runs and 11 stolen bases through the first 25 games. However, Mondesi has also been hit with a 50-game suspension after testing positive for Clenbuterol after unknowingly taking a cold medicine which included the drug.

#19 - Isan Diaz, Brewers

Acquired from the Diamondbacks as a part of the Jean Segura trade, Diaz' slash line doesn't exactly jump off the page at .223/.307/.356. However, the 20 year old is making his full-season debut this year, and has maintained a 10% walk rate for the year. It's early, but he's a shortstop prospect who could jump up these rankings if he can continue at least some of his current hot streak (5-for-13 in 5 games this month with 2 home runs, 1 steal, and a 5:3 BB:K rate.)