MLB The Show 19: Best Young Shortstops (SS)

Shortstops have always been the poster boys for defense in baseball. Making diving stops and firing across the diamond to first base is always impressive. There have been some like Alex Rodriguez and Cal Ripken Jr that have flourished at the plate too. With the retirement of Derek Jeter and Jimmy Rollins and the decline of Troy Tulowitzki a new generation of shortstops have started to take over baseball.

How to choose the best young shortstops in MLB The Show 19's Franchise Mode

This article will look at the best young shortstops available in MLB The Show 19's Franchise Mode. These players will have shortstop as their primary position and be aged 25 or younger. They will be on an MLB roster when you start your Franchise Mode save. There will be some talented shortstop prospects in the Minor Leagues but their stats vary from save to save so it is never quite clear who the best options in the Minors will be. So who are the best young shortstops in MLB The Show 19?

*For a full list please see the table below

Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians (OVR 92)

Age: 25

Potential: A

Throws/Bats: R/S

Secondary Position: 2B, 3B

Hitter Tendency: Whole Field

Best Stats: Durability (97), Fielding (90), Contact vs L (90), Reaction (88), Vision (84), Arm Accuracy (80), Arm Strength (76)

Francisco Lindor was a first-round pick for the Cleveland Indians in 2011 and has developed into one of the best shortstops in baseball despite his young age. He got his debut in 2015, playing 99 games with a .313 average, 12 homers, and terrific defense as he finished runner-up in the Rookie of the Year voting. In 2016 Lindor made his first All-Star appearance and won his first gold glove. In 2017 Lindor found his power stroke, hitting 33 homers and he followed that up with 38 dingers in 2018.

In The Show 19 Francisco Lindor is an excellent shortstop. Not only does he have the contact ability (70/90) to produce offensively at the plate. He doesn't have great power (66/62) but he has good vision (84) to select the right pitches to crush. With the glove Lindor is terrific too, his fielding (90) is elite and his arm accuracy (80) is good too.

Trea Turner, Washington Nationals (OVR 90)

Age: 25

Potential: B

Throws/Bats: R/R

Secondary Position: 2B, 3B, CF

Hitter Tendency: Whole Field

Best Stats: Durability (99), Baserunning Aggressiveness (99), Speed (97), Stealing (97), Clutch (88), Contact vs R (81)

Trea Turner was a first-round pick for the Washington Nationals in 2014 and made his debut, briefly, with them in 2015. Turner's rookie year was 2016 when he played 73 games with a .342 average, 13 homers, and 33 steals. Turner suffered some injuries in 2017 but still managed to steal 46 bases in 98 games. In 2018 he played every single game for the Nationals, playing solid defense with a .271 average, 19 homers, and 43 steals.

In The Show 19 Turner has terrific speed (97) and stealing (97) while also providing good contact ability (81/76) at the plate. He has the durability (99) to play every day and will show up in clutch (88) situations. He's not the best defensively (fielding 68) but his arm is fine (arm strength 74). 

Carlos Correa, Houston Astros (OVR 83)

Age: 24

Potential: A

Throws/Bats: R/R

Secondary Position: 2B, 3B

Hitter Tendency: Whole Field

Best Stats: contact vs L (89), Discipline (83), Clutch (82), Arm Accuracy (76), Contact vs R (75), Reaction (75)

Carlos Correa was the first overall pick for the Houston Astros in 2012 and made his MLB debut in 2015, hitting .279 with solid defense and 22 homers as he won AL Rookie of the Year. In 2017 and 2018 he played just 109 & 110 games due to injuries, but was productive when he did play. His power ticked down a little in 2018 due to the nature of his injuries though.

In The Show 19 Correa has good contact skill (75/89) and enough power to do damage (71/65). His fielding (68) isn't great but his arm is solid (arm strength 70, arm accuracy 76). Correa's durability (69) is a bit of a problem but his plate discipline (83) and clutch (82) play make up for it when he is on the field.

Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers (OVR 83)

Age: 24

Potential: A

Throws/Bats: R/L

Secondary Position: 2B, 3B

Hitter Tendency: Whole Field

Best Stats: Clutch (95), Durability (95), Contact vs R (88), Arm Accuracy (83), Fielding (77), Contact vs L (77)

Corey Seager was a first-round pick for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 and got his MLB debut in 2015. 2016 was his rookie year and Seager played brilliantly, hitting .308 with 26 homers and playing plus-defense he was named NL Rookie of the Year and placed third in the MVP race. Seager pretty much repeated those numbers in 2017 only with better defense but lost most of the 2018 season to injury.

In The Show 19 Seager has excellent durability (95) and clutch (95) ability, meaning he will always show up when you need him the most. He has terrific contact skill (88/77) and will be offensively productive while his fielding (77) is good and his arm is even better (arm strength 77, arm accuracy 83).

Adalberto Mondesi, Kansas City Royals (OVR 81)

Age: 23

Potential: B

Throws/Bats: R/S

Secondary Position: 2B

Hitter Tendency: Whole Field

Best Stats: Speed (94), Baserunning Aggressiveness (89), Bunt (87), Stealing (86), Reaction (82), Durability (78)

Adalberto Mondesi got his MLB debut with the Royals in 2016, playing 47 games and struggling at the plate, he hit just .185 with two homers. His performance in 2017 was no better, but in 2018 he played 75 games and finally started to find his groove. His defense was strong and he hit .276 with 14 homers and 32 stolen bases.

In The Show 19 Mondesi has great speed (94) and is aggressive on the basepaths (89). He can bunt (87) well and his contact skill isn't awful (68/58). His fielding (74) is solid but his reaction (82) and speed will get him into position to make some plays others wouldn't.

All the best young shortstops