The present and future is bright at the shortstop position, with Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson and Elly De La Cruz joining established stars Francisco Lindor and Corey Seager as the upper echelon at the position.

Just below them, veterans Trea Turner and Carlos Correa are both still stars, while Masyn Winn, Zach Neto and Ezequiel Tovar are quickly rising the ranks. Down on the farm, Carson Williams (TB) and Marcelo Mayer (BOS) headlined a staggering 23 shortstops who were included on B/R's most recent Top 100 prospect list.

Ahead, we've broken down each team's present and future outlook at shortstop, highlighting their current starter and their top prospect, followed by a prediction for who will start for each of the next five seasons.

Included with each top prospect is his tier ranking, which reflects where he was slotted in Bleacher Report's most recent farm system rankings.

Think of this as the team's five-year plan at the position.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Present: Geraldo Perdomo (Age: 25)

An All-Star in 2023 and a 3.5-WAR player in just 98 games last season, Perdomo has developed into a solid MLB regular. He posted elite defensive metrics (10 DRS, 8.4 UZR/150) and a 101 OPS+ over 388 plate appearances in 2024, and he is arbitration-eligible through the 2027 season.

Future: Jordan Lawlar (Tier 1)

The No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Lawlar was limited to 23 games last season while battling a nagging hamstring injury. He is a .294/.392/.501 hitter over 1,059 plate appearances in the minors and has little left to prove at the Triple-A level, though his immediate defensive future could be at third base with a superior defender in Perdomo blocking his path.

Five-Year Prediction: Perdomo (2025-27), Lawlar (2028-29)

Athletics

Present: Jacob Wilson (Age: 22)

Wilson hit .412/.461/.635 with only five strikeouts in 217 plate appearances during his junior season at Grand Canyon University before going No. 6 overall in the 2023 draft. He then hit .433/.474/.668 in 53 games across three minor league levels last year before making his MLB debut on July 19, and his elite hit tool will be his ticket to big league success.

Future: Max Muncy (Tier 2)

Muncy has steadily improved every year since he was taken No. 25 overall in the 2021 draft, and he hit .278/.374/.491 with 20 extra-base hits in 203 plate appearances at Triple-A last season. He has the defensive tools to stick at shortstop, but third base will likely be his long-term home once he arrives in the big leagues.

Five-Year Prediction: Wilson (2025-29)

Atlanta Braves

Present: Orlando Arcia (Age: 30)

A surprise All-Star in 2023, Arcia regressed significantly at the plate last season, hitting .218/.271/.354 for a 73 OPS+ that ranked 128th out of 129 qualified hitters. He is entering the final guaranteed season of a three-year, $6.3 million deal, though his contract does carry a $2 million club option with a $1 million buyout for 2026.

Future: Jose Perdomo (Tier 3)

Nacho Alvarez Jr. is one of the top position player prospects in the Atlanta system and could be the next man up at shortstop if Arcia is injured. He will get a shot to stake his claim to the shortstop job in the near future, but he may end up just keeping the position warm for Perdomo. The 18-year-old was signed for $5 million last January, which was the largest bonus given to any player during the 2024 international signing period.

Five-Year Prediction: Arcia (2025), Alvarez Jr. (2026-28), Perdomo (2029)

Baltimore Orioles

Present: Gunnar Henderson (Age: 23)

The Orioles have some decisions to make with regards to early extensions for some of their homegrown stars, and Henderson sits atop that list following a 37-homer, 9.1-WAR season where he finished fourth in AL MVP balloting. He will be a free agent after the 2028 season, but here's predicting the O's nail down a long-term deal before he gets a chance to hit the open market.

Future: Griff O'Ferrall (Tier 3)

A three-year starter at Virginia who hit .324/.367/.454 with 26 extra-base hits and 17 steals in 63 games last spring, O'Ferrall gets the most out of modest tools across the board. He likely profiles as a utility player at the next level, but his contact skills and steady glove give him a high floor and there is a chance he exceeds expectations.

Five-Year Prediction: Henderson (2025-29)

Boston Red Sox

Present: Trevor Story (Age: 32)

Story has produced just 4.0 WAR in 163 games over the first three seasons of his six-year, $140 million deal with the Red Sox, including just 26 games a year ago while he navigated a fractured shoulder. He is still owed $77.5 million over the next three years, so he will be given every opportunity to earn his salary.

Future: Franklin Arias (Tier 1)

With a 6'3" frame and average athleticism, Marcelo Mayer will likely shift to third base once he reaches the big leagues, pushing Rafael Devers into the everyday DH role. That makes Arias the more likely long-term answer at shortstop, though he still has a long way to go in his development. The 19-year-old is a no-doubt shortstop defensively, and he hit .309/.409/.487 with 36 extra-base hits and 35 steals in 87 games between rookie ball and Single-A in his stateside debut last year.

Five-Year Prediction: Story (2025-27), Arias (2028-29)

Chicago Cubs

Present: Dansby Swanson (Age: 30)

Despite modest offensive numbers, Swanson has posted back-to-back 4-WAR seasons to kick off his seven-year, $177 million contract with the Cubs. He won the NL Gold Glove in 2023 and was an elite defender once again last year while posting a 98 OPS+ with 27 doubles, 16 home runs, 66 RBI and 19 steals.

Future: Jefferson Rojas (Tier 2)

With a 55-hit, 50-power offensive profile, Rojas offers significant upside at the plate, and for now he still has the quickness and athleticism to handle shortstop at the next level. That could change as his 150-pound frame fills out, which would put more pressure on his bat, but he has the arm to handle third base and the offensive ceiling to fit there as well.

Five-Year Prediction: Swanson (2025-29)

Chicago White Sox

Present: Brooks Baldwin (Age: 24)

Baldwin looks like the leading contender to break camp with the White Sox starting shortstop job, while Jacob Amaya is also on the 40-man roster and non-roster invitees Chase Meidroth and Jacob Gonzalez will also be in camp as non-roster invitees. Baldwin was a 12th-round pick in 2022 and he made his MLB debut last summer, appearing in 33 games and seeing time at both middle infield spots.

Future: Colson Montgomery (Tier 1)

Big picture, it doesn't matter who breaks camp with the White Sox starting shortstop job, because Montgomery will almost certainly be the starter before the All-Star break. The 22-year-old top prospect hit just .214 with a .710 OPS at Triple-A last year, but he finished strong with an .815 OPS in September before batting .313/.511/.656 with three home runs and 11 RBI in the Arizona Fall League.

Five-Year Prediction: Baldwin (2025), Montgomery (2026-29)

Cincinnati Reds

Present: Elly De La Cruz (Age: 23)

De La Cruz is one of baseball's brightest young stars, and for the time being he is the guy at shortstop for the Reds. However, his poor defensive metrics (-7 DRS, -10.2 UZR/150 career) and high error total (29 errors in 2024) could mean he ultimately winds up at third base, and that is accounted for in our five-year prediction below.

Future: Edwin Arroyo (Tier 2)

Arroyo was acquired along with Noelvi Marte in the deal that sent Luis Castillo to the Mariners, and he is one of the best defensive shortstops in the minor leagues, so he could be the guy who pushed De La Cruz to the hot corner. The 21-year-old missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing shoulder surgery for a torn labrum, but he is still ahead of the developmental curve after reaching Double-A as a 19-year-old.

Five-Year Prediction: De La Cruz (2025-26), Arroyo (2027-29)

Cleveland Guardians

Present: Brayan Rocchio (Age: 24)

Rocchio was an AL Gold Glove finalist as a rookie while logging elite defensive metrics (11 DRS, 9.1 UZR/150), though he hit just .206/.298/.316 with 26 extra-base hits in 442 plate appearances. He will need to show more offensively in the coming years to hold onto the starting job, else he risks winding up as a glove-first utility player.

Future: Angel Genao (Tier 1)

One of the breakout prospects of the 2024 season, Genao hit .330/.379/.499 with 38 doubles, 10 home runs, 71 RBI and 25 steals in 110 games between Single-A and High-A. The 20-year-old has also seen time at second base and third base for the sake of versatility, but he has a chance to emerge as the shortstop of the future with continued success in the upper levels of the minors.

Five-Year Prediction: Rocchio (2025-26), Genao (2027-29)

Colorado Rockies

Present: Ezequiel Tovar (Age: 23)

The Rockies inked Tovar to a seven-year, $63.5 million extension last March following a solid rookie season, and he responded by posting a 103 OPS+ with 45 doubles, 26 home runs, 78 RBI and 3.8 WAR in 157 games. He still has work to do improving his on-base skills (.295 OBP), but his mix of extra-base pop and defense—he won 2024 NL Gold Glove honors—make him one of the game's best young shortstops.

Future: Dyan Jorge (Tier 3)

After posting impressive numbers in the lower levels of the minors in 2022 and 2023, Jorge hit .267/.336/.319 with 18 extra-base hits and 36 steals in 121 games at the High-A level last year. The 21-year-old has the upside to be an everyday shortstop in the majors, with a solid hit tool, plus speed and good defensive tools.

Five-Year Prediction: Tovar (2025-29)

Detroit Tigers

Present: Trey Sweeney (Age: 24)

Are the Tigers ready to cut their losses on Javier Báez, who is still owed $73 million over the next three years? The 32-year-old had a 46 OPS+ and minus-1.1 WAR in 80 games last season, and Sweeney played well enough down the stretch to have a leg up for the starting job in 2025. The 2021 first-round pick was acquired in the deal that sent Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers at the deadline, and now Flaherty is back in Detroit.

Future: Bryce Rainer (Tier 1)

Rainer was the second high school player taken at No. 11 overall in the 2024 draft, and with a 55-hit, 60-power offensive profile and a 6'3", 195-pound frame that offers significant physical projection, he has the potential to be a star. He has drawn some comparisons to Corey Seager at the same stage in his career, and could quickly emerge as a top-tier prospect in baseball.

Five-Year Prediction: Sweeney (2025-27), Rainer (2028-29)

Houston Astros

Present: Jeremy Peña (Age: 27)

Peña was a 5.0-WAR player as a rookie, becoming the first rookie shortstop ever to win a Gold Glove and adding ALCS and World Series MVP honors for good measure. In the two years since, he has continued to be a solid everyday option with 7.9 WAR in 307 games, but he has not quite taken the next step to legitimate stardom. With club control through 2027, the Astros will have a decision to make on his long-term future with the team.

Future: Brice Matthews (Tier 1)

Matthews hit .265/.384/.481 with 15 doubles, 15 home runs, 44 RBI and 32 steals in 79 games across four minor league levels last season after going No. 28 overall in the 2023 draft. The 22-year-old is expected to eventually shift off shortstop, with third base, second base or center field all potential long-term homes defensively.

Five-Year Prediction: Peña (2025-29)

Kansas City Royals

Present: Bobby Witt Jr. (Age: 24)

Witt is a rising superstar and the face of the franchise in Kansas City, and he is coming off a MVP-caliber season in 2024 where he hit .332/.389/.588 for a 171 OPS+ with 211 hits, 45 doubles, 32 home runs, 109 RBI, 125 runs scored, 31 steals and 9.4 WAR to finish runner-up to Aaron Judge in the AL MVP race. The Royals signed him to an 11-year, $288.8 million extension that could keep him in KC through 2037 with a variety of player and club options.

Future: Yandel Ricardo (Tier 3)

The Royals gave Ricardo a $2.4 million bonus as the headliner of their 2024 international class, and while he hit just .213/.330/.366 over 45 games in the Dominican Summer League, the raw tools are there for him to develop into a top prospect. He has a long developmental path ahead of him, but for now he has the highest ceilings of any shortstop prospect in the system.

Five-Year Prediction: Witt Jr. (2025-29)

Los Angeles Angels

Present: Zach Neto (Age: 24)

Neto made his MLB debut less than a year after he was taken No. 13 overall in the 2022 draft, and last season he was the best player on the Angels roster. The Campbell University product posted a 113 OPS+ with 34 doubles, 23 home runs, 77 RBI, 70 runs scored, 30 steals and 5.1 WAR in 155 games. A similar performance in 2025 will make him an obvious candidate for an early extension.

Future: Denzer Guzman (Tier 3)

Joswa Lugo is the best current shortstop prospect in the Angels system, but he is also expected to wind up at third base with a physical profile similar to Noelvi Marte. That leaves Guzman, who reeled in a $2 million bonus as part of the 2021 international class, as the team's best true shortstop prospect. The 20-year-old reached Double-A last season, though he has been more potential than production to this point in his pro career.

Five-Year Prediction: Neto (2024-29)

Los Angeles Dodgers

Present: Mookie Betts (Age: 32)

After years as an elite defensive outfielder, Betts began the 2024 season as the Dodgers starting shortstop, posting solid defensive metrics in 531.1 innings of work before shifting back to the outfield after he returned from a fractured hand. He is expected to be back at shortstop to open the 2025 season, and he could hold down the fort for the next couple seasons before one of their top prospects is ready to take over.

Future: Alex Freeland (Tier 1)

Freeland was a third-round pick in 2022 and he hit .240 with a .707 OPS in 106 games at High-A in a forgettable first full pro season before turning in one of the biggest breakout seasons of any prospect last year. The 23-year-old hit .260/.387/.442 with 32 doubles, 18 home runs, 74 RBI, 100 runs scored and 31 steals in 136 games over three minor league levels, and he should have no issue sticking at shortstop defensively.

Five-Year Prediction: Betts (2025-26), Freeland (2027-29)

Miami Marlins

Present: Xavier Edwards (Age: 25)

Edwards was one of the few offensive bright spots for the Marlins last season, hitting .328/.397/.423 for a 124 OPS+ in 303 plate appearances after replacing Tim Anderson as the team's primary shortstop. A top prospect during his time in the San Diego and Tampa Bay systems, he now looks like one of the few true building blocks on the Miami roster with club control through 2029. He could shift to second base once top prospect Starlyn Caba is ready for the majors.

Future: Starlyn Caba (Tier 1)

Caba emerged as a consensus Top 100 prospect last season, reaching Single-A at the age of 18 in his stateside debut. He was the centerpiece of the return package in the deal that sent Jesús Luzardo to the Phillies in December, and he immediately became the shortstop of the future for the Marlins.

Five-Year Prediction: Edwards (2025-26), Caba (2027-29)

Milwaukee Brewers

Present: Joey Ortiz (Age: 26)

With Willy Adames gone in free agency, Ortiz is expected to shift from third base to shortstop, which looked like the plan from the moment he was acquired from the Orioles in the Corbin Burnes trade. After a 2.7-WAR rookie season where he posted a 101 OPS+ with 42 extra-base hits, 60 RBI and 11 steals, he should settle in as a solid everyday shortstop.

Future: Cooper Pratt (Tier 1)

It will be interesting to see how the Brewers decide to utilize Pratt in the not-too-distant future and fellow top prospect Jesus Made further down the road, but Ortiz is a superior defender to both of them at shortstop, so they will likely be the ones to shift elsewhere. Pratt, 20, hit .277/.362/.406 with 26 extra-base hits and 27 steals in 96 games between Single-A and High-A in his first full professional season.

Five-Year Prediction: Ortiz (2025-26), Pratt (2027-29)

Minnesota Twins

Present: Carlos Correa (Age: 30)

Correa is two seasons into his six-year, $200 million contract, and while injuries limited him to 86 games last season, he hit .310/.388/.517 for a 152 OPS+ with 3.7 WAR while earning his first All-Star selection in a Twins uniform. His contract features four club options of descending value, starting at $25 million in 2029, which will be lower than his $31.3 million salary in 2028.

Future: Kaelen Culpepper (Tier 3)

Culpepper is a bit of a tweener prospect as he lacks the quickness to be a standout defender at shortstop and does not have the power profile to be a clean fit at third base. The No. 21 overall pick in the 2024 draft still brings an appealing overall mix of tools, and for now he is the best shortstop prospect in the Minnesota system with a long runway to prove he can stick there defensively.

Five-Year Prediction: Correa (2025-29)

New York Mets

Present: Francisco Lindor (Age: 31)

The Mets signed Lindor to a 10-year, $341 million extension shortly after he was acquired from Cleveland, and he still has seven years remaining on that deal, so there is no question who will be manning shortstop in Queens for the foreseeable future. With three straight 5-WAR seasons under his belt and a runner-up finish in NL MVP voting in 2024, he is very much still in the prime of his career.

Future: Jeremy Rodriguez (Tier 3)

Jett Williams, Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio all have experience playing shortstop, but their proximity to the majors and the presence of Lindor means they will all be shifting elsewhere in the majors. That leaves Rodriguez, who was acquired from the D-backs in the deal that sent Tommy Pham the other way at the 2023 deadline, as the best true shortstop prospect in the system. The 18-year-old hit .282/.355/.400 over 50 games in rookie ball while making his stateside debut in 2024.

Five-Year Prediction: Lindor (2025-29)

New York Yankees

Present: Anthony Volpe (Age: 23)

Volpe has kicked off his big league career with back-to-back 3-WAR seasons, and while his offensive game remains a work-in-progress, he made modest improvements to his batting average (.209 to .243) and strikeout rate (27.8 to 22.6 percent) in his second year and still offers plenty of upside given his age. He is controllable through the 2028 season, but could be a candidate for an early extension that keeps him around for longer.

Future: Roderick Arias (Tier 2)

Arias has a 50-power, 60-speed profile that gives him one of the highest ceilings of any prospect in the Yankees system. The 20-year-old has the power potential and rocket arm to fit nicely at third base, though with his athleticism he could wind up almost anywhere on the diamond. George Lombard Jr. is another high-ceiling shortstop prospect, though he could outgrow the position once his 6'2" frame fills out.

Five-Year Prediction: Volpe (2025-29)

Philadelphia Phillies

Present: Trea Turner (Age: 31)

Turner is just two seasons into his massive 11-year, $300 million contract, though ugly defensive metrics in 2023 (-12 DRS) and 2024 (-14 DRS) do raise the question of how much longer he will stay at shortstop. For now, he stays penciled into the starting shortstop job for the foreseeable future, but don't rule out a shift to second base. In fact, there is an argument to be made that flip-flopping him with Bryson Stott right now gives them their best defensive infield.

Future: Bryan Rincon (Tier 3)

Aidan Miller is technically the Phillies best shortstop prospect, but he will almost certainly end up at third base in the long run. With Starlyn Caba traded to the Marlins, that leaves Rincon as the team's best true shortstop prospect. He is one of the best defensive shortstops in all of the minors, but still needs to prove he can hit enough to be a MLB regular.

Five-Year Prediction: Turner (2025-29)

Pittsburgh Pirates

Present: Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Age: 29)

The Pirates acquired Kiner-Falefa at the trade deadline last year with an eye on the 2025 season, as he still has a year remaining on his two-year, $15 million contract. He was a 3.6-WAR player last year largely on the strength of his defense, though he did post a respectable 92 OPS+ with 30 extra-base hits and 11 steals in 133 games.

Future: Konnor Griffin (Tier 1)

Griffin is the shortstop of the future after going No. 9 overall in the 2024 draft, but he is still only 18 years old and has a long way to go before he is ready to take over in the big leagues. He has a chance to be a star with a 50-hit, 60-power offensive profile and elite athleticism, but look for defensive standout Tsung-Che Cheng to serve as a potential stopgap between Kiner-Falefa and him.

Five-Year Prediction: Kiner-Falefa (2025), Cheng (2026-27), Griffin (2028-29)

San Diego Padres

Present: Xander Bogaerts (Age: 32)

Bogaerts will be back at shortstop this season after briefly shifting to second base in favor of Ha-Seong Kim who was a superior defender. At some point, he will likely make a full-time move to the keystone, and that could be when Leodalis De Vries arrives in the majors. The Padres still owe Bogaerts another $229 million over the next nine years in what could quickly devolve into one of the worst contracts in baseball.

Future: Leodalis De Vries (Tier 1)

A year after putting catcher Ethan Salas on the fast track in his pro debut, the Padres did the same with prized 2024 international signing De Vries who was reeled in with a $4.2 million bonus last January. The 18-year-old more than held his own as one of the youngest players in the California League, hitting .238/.361/.442 with 22 doubles, 11 home runs, 38 RBI and 13 steals in 75 games, and he gained some valuable experience in the Arizona Fall League to wrap up a successful debut.

Five-Year Prediction: Bogaerts (2025-26), De Vries (2027-29)

San Francisco Giants

Present: Willy Adames (Age: 29)

The Giants finally sealed the deal with a top-tier free agent after years of coming up short, signing Adames to a seven-year, $182 million contract to team with Matt Chapman to form one of the best left sides of the infield in baseball. It remains to be seen how his power-centric offensive game will play at Oracle Park, but he is coming off four straight 3-WAR seasons.

Future: Maui Ahuna (Tier 3)

Assuming Walker Martin moves off shortstop as expected in the coming years, Ahuna stands as the top shortstop prospects in the Giants system now that Marco Luciano has exhausted his rookie status. The 22-year-old saw his pro debut cut short by Tommy John surgery, but his stock was trending up prior to the injury, and even if he never turns into an offensive standout he has Gold Glove upside defensively at shortstop.

Five-Year Prediction: Adames (2025-29)

Seattle Mariners

Present: J.P. Crawford (Age: 30)

Crawford regressed significantly last year after posting a 133 OPS+ and 5.1 WAR during the 2023 season, hitting .202/.304/.321 for an 86 OPS+ last season, though his defense still made him a 2.7-WAR player. He is entering the fourth season of a five-year, $51 million contract, and his glove will keep him in the everyday lineup even if he does not bounce back to his 2023 levels offensively.

Future: Cole Young (Tier 1)

Sorting through the Mariners collection of high-ceiling middle infield prospects, Young looks like the most likely candidate to handle shortstop, with Colt Emerson profiling better at third base and Felnin Celesten a tick behind that duo in terms of his developmental timetable. That said, Young might get his first look in the big leagues as a second baseman while Crawford plays out the remainder of his contract.

Five-Year Prediction: Crawford (2025-26), Young (2027-29)

St. Louis Cardinals

Present: Masyn Winn (Age: 22)

The Cardinals found their shortstop of the present and future when Winn broke through with a 4.9-WAR rookie season. Long viewed as an elite defender with plus range and a rocket arm, he also hit .267/.314/.416 for a 102 OPS+ with 32 doubles, 15 home runs, 57 RBI and 11 steals in 150 games. Look for the Cardinals to lock him up with an early extension long before he reaches free agency after the 2029 season.

Future: Yairo Padilla (Tier 3)

JJ Wetherholt will play shortstop in the minors, but the 2024 first-round pick is going to wind up at second base with Winn blocking his path. Further down the system, Padilla is a name to watch after he hit .287/.391/.404 with 10 extra-base hits and 22 steals over 35 games in the Dominican Summer League. The 17-year-old has significant upside and will be one of the more anticipated stateside debuts in the Cardinals system this coming season.

Five-Year Prediction: Winn (2025-29)

Tampa Bay Rays

Present: Ha-Seong Kim (Age: 29)

The Rays signed Kim to a two-year, $29 million deal that will make him the highest-paid player on the team in 2025, though he is not expected to be ready for Opening Day after undergoing shoulder surgery last October. His versatility means he won't stand in the way of top prospect Carson Williams once he's ready, as he also has experience playing second base and third base at a high level.

Future: Carson Williams (Tier 1)

Williams is baseball's top shortstop prospect after posting an .821 OPS with 20 doubles, 20 home runs, 69 RBI and 33 steals in 115 games at Double-A last season. The 21-year-old has 60-grade power and is widely regarded as the best defensive shortstop in the minors, making him a potential future star and one that could arrive in Tampa Bay at some point during the 2025 season.

Five-Year Prediction: Kim (2025), Williams (2026-29)

Texas Rangers

Present: Corey Seager (Age: 30)

Thus far, Seager has been one of the best nine-figure contract signings in MLB history, racking up 15.7 WAR in three seasons while leading the Rangers to the 2023 World Series title and taking home WS MVP honors. That said, he will be 31 years old in April and injuries have limited him to 119 and 123 games the last two years. With seven years and $221.5 million left on the books, it will be interesting to see how much longer he can be a top-tier shortstop.

Future: Sebastian Walcott (Tier 1)

Walcott has one of the highest ceilings of any prospect in baseball, and he started to turn potential into production last year when he hit .265/.344/.452 with 34 doubles, nine triples, 11 home runs, 56 RBI and 27 steals in 121 games while reaching Double-A in his age-18 season. He might end up fitting best at third base or in right field as his 6'4", 190-pound frame fills out, but for now he is still the shortstop of the future.

Five-Year Prediction: Seager (2025-29)

Toronto Blue Jays

Present: Bo Bichette (Age: 26)

After three seasons as one of the best offensive players in baseball, Bichette struggled through a brutal 2024 season, hitting .225/.277/.322 for a 71 OPS+ while tallying minus-0.3 WAR in 81 games. Now he enters the final season of a three-year, $33.6 million deal that bought out his arbitration years with a lot to prove before he potentially hits the open market. If he gets off to a strong start, it might be in the best interest of player and team to sign an extension, though that's not guarantee he will stick at shortstop long-term.

Future: Arjun Nimmala (Tier 1)

Nimmala has quickly developed into the top prospect in the Blue Jays system since going No. 20 overall in the 2023 draft. The 19-year-old posted an .807 OPS with 20 doubles, 17 home runs and 47 RBI in 90 games between rookie ball and Single-A, and his 55-grade power gives him huge upside if he can stick at shortstop and continue to refine his approach at the plate.

Five-Year Prediction: Bichette (2025-27), Nimmala (2028-29)

Washington Nationals

Present: CJ Abrams (Age: 24)

Abrams was one of the key pieces acquired from the Padres in the blockbuster deal that sent Juan Soto the other way at the 2022 deadline, and he has posted back-to-back 3-WAR seasons as the rebuilding Nationals starting shortstop. He posted a 110 OPS+ with 20 home runs and 31 steals while earning his first All-Star selection in 2024. As long as he avoids the casino on road trips, he can be a long-term building block and early extension candidate.

Future: Seaver King (Tier 2)

King made the jump from D-II Wingate to powerhouse Wake Forest last spring and solidified his status as a first-round talent, going No. 10 overall in the 2024 draft. His 55-hit, 65-speed profile gives him electric offensive upside, though it remains to be seen where he will land defensively as he has played shortstop, second base, third base and center field.

Five-Year Prediction: Abrams (2025-29)