2026 NL East Positional Rankings: Shortstop

We wrap up our 2026 National League East positional rankings with the division’s shortstops.

• First Base
• Second Base
• Third Base
• Catcher
• Bullpen
• Starting Rotation
• Right Field
• Center Field
• Manager
• Left Field

The NL East boasts an interesting mix at shortstop in 2026.  With two of the best in the game at the top, a couple of guys in their mid-20s looking to take a leap, and a slick fielding veteran newcomer. Let’s break it down.

No. 5: MAURICIO DUBÓN, ATL

With Ha-Seong Kim expected to miss much of the first half of the season due a torn tendon in his right middle finger, Mauricio Dubón is the likeliest to get the bulk of the playing time at shortstop. The two-time Utility Gold Glove winner was acquired by the Braves in November in a trade with the Houston Astros for shortstop Nick Allen. 

Dubón is a quintessential glove-first player, having effectively logged over 100 innings at every fielding position outside of catcher. It’s no wonder he has the hardware to show for it. However, his bat is a bit of a different story. Since becoming more of a regular player in 2022, the native Hondurian has posted an OPS+ of 61 (‘22), 97 (‘23), 87 (‘24), and 78 (‘25). His best season in 2023 saw him slash a career best .278/.309/.411/.720, with 10 homers, 46 RBIs, and a 2.7 bWAR

While the 31-year-old’s bat has regressed since his 2023 campaign, his glove has done the opposite. He’s been in the 90th percentile or better in total OAA (across all positions he plays) in 2022 (6 OAA), 2024 (10 OAA), and 2025 (20 OAA). Additionally, in 2025 in route to earning his second Gold Glove, Dubón accumulated his most OAA (8) on the year at shortstop. Dubón will enter free agency following the 2026 season after avoiding arbitration and earning $6,100,000 for the upcoming year.

No. 4: OTTO LOPEZ, MIA

Making the transition from the keystone to short, Otto Lopez looks to be the Opening Day starter for Miami. While his slashline marginally regressed across the board from his rookie season in 2024 (.690 OPS to .672), Lopez flashed enough in 2025 to remain an intriguing player to watch. The 26-year-old smacked 15 homers to go along with 77 RBIs, 15 steals, and a 3.5 bWAR. Looking under the hood shows there may be optimism for further improvement as he ranks highly in xBA (80th percentile), squared-up rate (90th percentile), and whiff and strikeout rate (81st and 90th percentiles). 

Where Lopez earns the majority of his value is in the field, albeit mostly as a second baseman. In 2024 and 2025, Lopez ranked in the 98th and 95th percentiles, respectively. More specifically, he earned a combined 22 OAA at second base over that span and 3 OAA at shortstop. While his glove is elite at second base, it’s still above average at short. Lopez is entering his final year of pre-arbitration and will become a free agent following the 2029 season. 

No. 3 – CJ ABRAMS, WSH

CJ Abrams has been a mainstay as the third-best shortstop in the division for three years now. At first glance, his numbers comfortably demand this ranking. Since becoming the full-time shortstop in DC, here are some of his offensive numbers:

2023: 3.5 bWAR, 83 R, 18 HR, 64 RBI, 47 SB, .712 OPS, 96 OPS+

2024: 3.4 bWAR, 79 R, 20 HR, 65 RBI, 31 SB, .747 OPS, 109 OPS+

2025: 3.4 bWAR, 92 R, 19 HR, 60 RBI, 31 SB, .748 OPS, 111 OPS+

The 25-year-old has been remarkably consistent over his first three full seasons in the bigs. He’s a tantalizing candidate to make a leap each year, given his speed (70th percentile in sprint speed) and 20-plus homer potential each year. 

However, there are some areas of concern. First, is his future at the position. His defensive acumen leaves a lot to be desired with a whopping -37 OAA over his last three years. This ranks dead last in baseball among all MLB players. The next highest shortstop over that span is JP Crawford with -20. 

Additionally, while his raw numbers are promising, the advanced metrics paint a more middling picture. With zero hitting metrics above the 57th percentile over the last two years, it remains to be seen how much more he’ll develop. In 2025, his xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, average exit velo, barrel rate, hard-hit rate, and squared-up rate were all in the 40th percentile or lower. Abrams avoided arbitration for 2026 at $4,200,000 and will be a free agent following the 2028 season. 

No. 2 – TREA TURNER, PHI

Now we’re on to the class of the National League East. Trea Turner had one of the best seasons of his career, finishing fifth overall in the MVP race. He won the National League batting title and finished with the second-highest bWAR and fWAR of his career, behind only 2021. He finished the year with a 5.4 bWAR, 94 runs scored, 15 homers, 69 RBIs, 36 steals, .812 OPS, and 121 OPS+.

However, when taking a closer look, the 33-year-old’s Baseball Savant page is not the sea of red it once was. Since 2021, several metrics have steadily declined from above average to average or slightly below: xwOBA, xSLG, barrel rate and hard-hit rate. Turner remains in the 60th percentile or higher in xBA, K rate, and sprint speed. 

Lastly, and most importantly, Turner turned in the best defensive season of his career. When other fielders are losing a step in their 30s, Turner took a giant one forward. On the year he finished with a DRS of +2 and 17 OAA (99th percentile), which is the highest total of his career and his first positive OAA season since 2021. He ranked second in the National League only behind Gold Glove winner Masyn Winn. After taking a closer look, the biggest improvement was his ability to move laterally toward third base. Before posting 12 OAA going toward third base in 2025, Turner hadn’t posted a positive OAA going in that direction since 2020. 

After just completing the third year of his 11-year, $311-million-dollar contract, Turner will remain under contract until after the 2033 season.

No. 1 – FRANCISCO LINDOR, NYM

Finally, we turn to the captain of many Mets fans’ hearts, but never the team, superstar Francisco Lindor. Lindor’s 2025 was a typical season for his lofty standards. It was his fourth straight top-ten finish in the National League MVP race, it was his first (!) All-Star appearance as a Met, and it was the second 30-30 season of his career, tying Bobby Witt Jr. for the most in baseball history as a shortstop. The Puerto Rican native also led the league in plate appearances and at-bats, upholding his reputation as an ironman. He finished the year with 5.9 bWAR, 117 runs scored, 31 homers, 86 RBIs, 31 steals, an .811 OPS, and a 129 OPS+.

One area where Lindor took a noticeable step back was with his glove, which went from elite in 2024 (15 OAA, 99th percentile) to only great in 2025 (5 OAA, 90th percentile). When taking a closer look, it appears balls that forced him laterally to his right are where he struggled the most, going from 17 OAA in ‘24 to -5 OAA in 2025. Outside of that, he actually improved in every other direction. Is the cause of this regression the broken toe he missed, only one game for? It’s unclear, but considering Lindor will be entering his age-32 season, it’s something to keep an eye on once the season is in full swing. 

Outside of his defense, while his 2025 metrics don’t quite measure up to his otherworldly 2024, it does measure up to the rest of his career. Lindor ranked in the 60th percentile or greater in xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, average exit velocity, squared-up rate, and whiff rate. He also racked up his fourth-straight season, and seventh of his career, 5+ bWAR season

Given Lindor’s career trajectory, Mets fans can only hope the do-it-all shortstop continues his march toward rarefied historical air. While the beginning of spring training hasn’t been ideal, he has ample time to do so with six years remaining on his original 10-year, $341 million dollar record breaking contract for a shortstop.

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