Is Trevor Story the #1 fantasy shortstop?

Coming into this season, Trevor Story was not a consideration as a top 10 fantasy shortstop. Heading into the Tout Wars NL only auction draft in late March, he was one of the names I planned on throwing out to get other owners to bid him up, with the thought that they would overpay for him. That didn’t work out as I pushed the bidding to $7 thinking someone would bid $8. That never happened and I was the proud owner of a $7 Rockies shortstop. I admit I was surprised 1) the bidding stopped at $7, and 2) I was unsure of what to expect from him in 2016.

He started the season by hitting seven home runs in his first six games. And by now, we know that he has surpassed all expectations with his performance at the plate, and today he might be the #1 fantasy shortstop in the game.

Could he be a first round pick in 2017 drafts? He very well could be based upon his performance at the plate in his rookie season.

Heck, he could give Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager a run for his money in the National League Rookie of the Year discussion.

On Saturday night, Story had a big night at the plate vs Matt Wisler and the Braves, going 4-4 with 2 home runs, 3 runs scored, 5 RBI and a stolen base in the Rockies 8-4 win. Story set the record for home runs by a rookie shortstop and is now hitting ,272-.347-.580 with 26 home runs, 63 runs scored, 67 RBI and 7 stolen bases in 12 attempts.

He does strike out more than you would like (31.7%), but he is walking at a 9% clip and his 44.3% hard contact rate ranks third in all of baseball behind only Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter and Red Sox DH David Ortiz.

He is on pact to hit 43 home runs, score over 100 runs, drive in 100+ runs and steal 12 bases. Orioles shortstop Manny Machado is the favorite to be the #1 fantasy shortstop right now and in 2017, but Story is having a better season at the plate.

Story: .272-.347-.580, 26 HRs, 63 runs, 67 RBI, 7 SBs

Machado: .314-.373-.557, 20 HRs, 66 runs, 55 RBI, 0 SBs

A year after putting up a 30+ home run, 20+ stolen base season, Machado has yet to steal a base this season. Story is on pace for 12 stolen bases and has been making it a bigger part of his game in the second half, attempting 4 stolen bases in 9 games since the break, after attempting 8 stolen bases in 81 games prior to the break.

Story has put up the better stats in three of the five fantasy categories when compared to Machado, and is leading all fantasy shortstops in home runs and RBI, ranks fifth in runs scored, 10th in stolen bases and 11th in batting average.

Other shortstops who are in the conversation for #1 at the position include Corey Seager, Astros SS Carlos Correa, Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts and Indians SS Francisco Lindor. Gone are the days of Troy Tulowitzki at the head of this group, but another Rockies shortstop appears to be taking his place.

Who is your #1 fantasy shortstop right now?