Top 10 MLB shortstops for 2022 season

Age During 2022 Season: 29
2021 Statistics: .309/.338/.469 with 17 home runs, 61 RBIs, 22 walks, .806 OPS, 118 OPS+, three defensive runs saved, three outs above average and a 4.3 fWAR

An All-Star for the first time in 2021, Anderson has hit over .300 in each of the last three seasons. While his bat will always be his meal ticket, Anderson has drastically improved his defensive metrics. Back in 2017, Anderson had an abysmal -23 defensive runs saved at shortstop. In 2021, Anderson posted three defensive runs saved.

Age During 2022 Season: 35
2021 Statistics: .298/.373/.522 with 24 home runs, 90 RBIs, 56 walks, .895 OPS, 141 OPS+, six defensive runs saved, 15 outs above average and a 5.5 fWAR

There's always the risk that Crawford hits a wall in his mid-30s, but he's coming off of arguably the best season of his career, having finished fourth in National League MVP voting in 2021. Crawford captured his fourth career Gold Glove Award last season, and is one of the better defensive shortstops that the sport has ever seen.

Age During 2022 Season: 21
2021 Statistics: .288/.347/.463 with seven home runs, 39 RBIs, 24 walks, .810 OPS, 129 OPS+, six defensive runs saved, -1 outs above average and a 2.5 fWAR

The former top overall prospect in baseball finally debuted in 2021, and despite playing only 70 games, Franco finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting. The Rays were smart to lock him up with an 11-year/$182 million deal this offseason, one that figures to look especially team-friendly in short order. Franco is at No. 8 now, but it would hardly be shocking if he's competing for the top spot in the next few years.

Age During 2022 Season: 24
2021 Statistics: .298/.343/.484 with 29 home runs, 102 RBIs, 40 walks, .828 OPS, 123 OPS+, two defensive runs saved, -6 outs above average and a 4.9 fWAR

Bichette has stepped out of his father Dante's shadow, and emerged as one of the American League's best young players. Bichette was an All-Star for the first time in 2021, and as he hits in one of the sport's deepest lineups, he could very well finish in the top 10 in American League MVP voting in 2022.

Age During 2022 Season: 28
2021 Statistics: .230/.322/.412 with 20 home runs, 63 RBIs, 58 walks, .734 OPS, 101 OPS+, four defensive runs saved, 20 outs above average and a 2.7 fWAR

In his first year with the Mets, Lindor finished second among all players with 20 outs above average, and you could very well make a case that he should have won his third Gold Glove Award. However, after a torrid spring, Lindor posted just a .698 OPS in the first half of the regular season. It goes without saying, but the Mets are counting on a major bounce-back offensively from Lindor, who is entering the first year of a 10-year/$341 million extension.

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Age During 2022 Season: 23
2021 Statistics: .282/.364/.611 with 42 home runs, 97 RBIs, 62 walks, .975 OPS, 166 OPS+, -6 defensive runs saved (at shortstop), two outs above average (at shortstop) and a 6.1 fWAR

Let the record show, before Tatis had surgery on his fractured left wrist in mid-March, the plan was for him to be at the top spot on this list. But with him set to miss at least the first two months of the 2022 season, he was knocked down four spots. When healthy, Tatis is arguably the most exciting player in the sport. But for someone that's only 23 -- and under contract through the 2034 season -- the Padres have to be a bit concerned about his injury history, especially since this one seems like it could have been avoided.

Age During 2022 Season: 29
2021 Statistics: .295/.370/.493 with 23 home runs, 79 RBIs, 62 walks, .863 OPS, 127 OPS+, -5 defensive runs saved, -9 outs above average and a 5.2 fWAR

Bogaerts' long-term future may be at another position, but his bat will put him among the best players at whatever spot he plays defensively. Bogaerts can opt out and become a free agent after this season if he chooses to, which makes us think he'll be an American League MVP candidate and force the hands of the Red Sox.

Age During 2022 Season: 28
2021 Statistics: .306/.394/.521 with 16 home runs, 57 RBIs, 48 walks, .915 OPS, 145 OPS+, zero defensive runs saved, -5 outs above average and a 3.7 fWAR

If healthy, Seager may be one of the five best hitters in baseball. The problem is that while he won the National League Rookie of the Year Award and a World Series MVP during parts of seven seasons with the Dodgers, he also spent his fair share of time on the injured list. That includes 2021, when he was limited to just 95 games in a walk year. Still, the Rangers -- desperate to bring winning baseball back to Arlington -- banked on Seager's talent in a big way this offseason, signing him to a 10-year/$325 million deal in free agency.

Age During 2022 Season: 29
2021 Statistics: .328/.375/.536 with 28 home runs, 77 RBIs, 41 walks, .911 OPS, 146 OPS+, one defensive run saved (at shortstop), zero outs above average (at shortstop) and a 6.9 fWAR

Turner was one of the most underrated players in baseball for years on the Washington Nationals, but emerged from the shadows in 2021, winning the National League batting title and finishing fifth in NL MVP voting in a season that saw him traded to the Dodgers in July. Turner will shift back to shortstop after the offseason departure of the aforementioned Seager, and look to lead all position players in fWAR for a second consecutive year. He's set to become a free agent after 2022.

Age During 2022 Season: 27
2021 Statistics: .279/.366/.485 with 26 home runs, 92 RBIs, 75 walks, .850 OPS, 131 OPS+, 20 defensive runs saved, 12 outs above average and a 5.8 fWAR

Like Seager, Correa has had issues staying healthy during his young career. Unlike Seager, Correa stayed healthy in his contract year, playing in 148 games in 2021. Despite a fifth-place finish in American League MVP voting, Correa had to "settle" for a three-year/$105.3 million deal with the Twins. If Correa puts together another monster season, don't be surprised if he opts out and becomes a free agent again.