Just two seasons ago, Marcus Semien finished third in American League MVP voting after posting a career-high 7.6 fWAR, finally adding elite offensive production to what's typically been superb defense.
A year ago, Semien was our third-highest ranked shortstop as we prepared for the 2020 season. But after a down year, Semien has fallen out of the top 10 altogether, with him, Didi Gregorius and Paul DeJong among the first few names off the list.
Semien left the Oakland Athletics in free agency, having to settle for a one-year/$18 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, probably a far cry from what he would have received had he become a free agent the prior offseason. In Toronto, not only will Semien aim to prove that his offensive production in 2019 wasn't an outlier, but also he'll be hoping to bounce back defensively, as the 30-year-old had -5 defensive runs saved in 2020.
As Semien looks to earn his way back onto this countdown, here are the RADIO.COM Sports shortstop power rankings for the 2021 MLB season:
10. Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees
Gleyber Torres is hoping for a bounce-back year.
(Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
We probably have enough evidence at this stage to conclude that Torres isn't best-geared to play either of the middle infield positions, and he turned in relatively underwhelming offensive production during the 60-game season last year. Still, he's two years removed from hitting 38 home runs and driving in 90 runs. Only 24, we're going to bet on an offensive resurgence from Torres in 2021, even if this is the season where the Yankees fully conclude that he can't play shortstop on a regular basis.
9. Javier Báez, Chicago Cubs
Javier Báez can become a free agent after the 2021 season.
(Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
Báez hit just .203 in what was a disastrous 2020 season, though the feeling here is over the course of a 162-game season, things probably would have evened out to some degree. In the three prior season, Báez hit .282 with 86 home runs, 271 RBIs and an .845 OPS. Still an elite defender, Báez is a bounce-back candidate in 2021, which just so happens to be a contract year for the 28-year-old.
8. Tim Anderson, Chicago White Sox
Tim Anderson is one of baseball's most exciting players.
(Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Certainly, you can make a case that Anderson is the second-best shortstop in Chicago, but while Báez is coming off of a career-worst offensive campaign, Anderson has slashed .331/.357/.514 with an .871 OPS over the past two seasons. Additionally, one of baseball's most exciting players drastically improved his defense in 2020, posting three defensive runs saved, as opposed to -12 in 2019.
7. Carlos Correa, Houston Astros
Carlos Correa is entering a contract year.
(Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
As hard as it may be to believe, Correa is already entering his free-agent year. For the first time since 2016, the former No. 1 overall pick stayed healthy for the full season in 2020, posting eight defensive runs saved. In the postseason, he exploded offensively, hitting .362 with six home runs in 47 at-bats, one more home run than he posted over the course of 58 regular season games. Assuming health, Correa appears bound for a career year, which will make him an enticing free-agent option next winter.
6. Trea Turner, Washington Nationals
Trea Turner is one of baseball's most underrated stars.
(Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
One of baseball's most underrated stars, Turner had a monster 2020 campaign after dealing with a finger injury for much of 2019. The Nationals were too top-heavy in 2020, but in addition to Juan Soto's superstar production, Turner slashed .335/.394/.588 with 12 home runs, 41 RBIs and a .982 OPS. If he wasn't on the same team as Soto, we'd say Turner is a sleeper National League MVP candidate. As is, we'll say that the 27-year-old has become one of the most complete offensive players in the game.
5. Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox
Xander Bogearts and the Red Sox are hoping to return to contention in 2021.
(Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
2020 was an especially unfulfilling campaign for the Red Sox, as Rafael Devers took a step back, while Mookie Betts helped the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the World Series. Still, Bogearts continued right along on what has been an excellent career, hitting .300 with 11 home runs, 28 RBIs and an .867 OPS. He'd probably be a better third baseman than shortstop, but over the last three seasons, FanGraphs says that Bogaerts is the ninth-most valuable offensive player at any position, which is how he landed at such a high spot.
4. Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies
Trevor Story is one of baseball's elite shortstops.
(Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Another free-agent-to-be, Story appears destined to be highly-coveted next winter given how he's produced in recent seasons. The 28-year-old has been a star pretty much since the moment he broke into the major leagues, and that didn't stop in 2020, as he slashed .289/.355/.519 with 11 home runs, 28 RBIs and a 2.4 fWAR. The Rockies will miss Nolan Arenado's presence in their lineup, but for at least one more year, they'll get to enjoy both the pop and strong glove of Story.
3. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets
Francisco Lindor is entering his first season with the Mets.
(Mark Brown/Getty Images)
With one of the game's best personalities, Lindor always felt meant to play in a major market, which he'll get the chance to do in 2021 with the New York Mets, who acquired him in a trade with Cleveland in January. To this point, Lindor's 2018 season - where he posted a staggering 7.7 fWAR - has been the best of his career. But considering he can also become a free agent this upcoming offseason, it would hardly be a surprise if he matches or even tops that in 2021.
2. Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
Corey Seager is the reigning World Series MVP.
(Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Prior to the 2020 season, there was some thought of Seager heading to Cleveland as part of a package to acquire the aforementioned Lindor. Still only 26, Seager squashed any such thought by hitting .307 with 15 home runs, 41 RBIs and a .943 OPS last season. He got even hotter in the postseason, winning both the NLCS and World Series MVP. Mookie Betts' 12-year deal will begin in 2021, and the Dodgers will have to eventually take care of both Cody Bellinger and Walker Buehler. Still, you can bet that president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman will try his darnedest to prevent Seager from hitting the open market after this season.
1. Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
Fernando Tatis Jr. is becoming one of the faces of baseball.
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Not only has Tatis Jr. usurped Manny Machado as the face of the Padres, but he's becoming one of the faces of the sport. After injuries prevented him from seriously challenging Pete Alonso for National League Rookie of the Year in 2019, Tatis Jr. had a monster 2020, slashing .277/.366/.571 with 17 home runs and 45 RBIs in just 59 games. Tatis Jr. is a legitimate National League MVP candidate, and should be for at least the next decade.
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