Red Sox: Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers rising up rankings at loaded positions

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BOSTON, MA – JUNE 26: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox runs to first base after hitting a two-run RBI-single to take the lead in the eighth inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park on June 26, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Ranking the shortstops

Bogaerts rates the higher of the two Red Sox infielders, ranking fifth among MLB shortstops on Olney’s list. While that may seem low considering he finished fifth in the AL MVP race last season, it’s a fair placement when you consider who finished ahead of him.

An ankle injury slowed Francisco Lindor to begin last season but he recovered to produce a stat line quite similar to his career levels. The Indians shortstop has hit .275/.345/.512 over the last three years with 32+ home runs in each of them. He’s a two-time Silver Slugger and won his second career Gold Glove last season. Lindor is a worthy choice to top the list of shortstops.

Marcus Semien may not be a household name but he’s an elite all-around talent. He’s always been a strong defensive player and that’s a significant factor in his 8.1 WAR that ranked fourth among position players. A career-high 33 home runs and .882 OPS proved he has the offensive prowess to leap into the MVP discussion.

Trevor Story‘s offensive production is heavily inflated by playing at Coors Field – his OPS dropped from 1.064 at home last season to .767 on the road. It’s not as if Fenway is a pitcher’s paradise though. Bogaerts is a better hitter in a vacuum but Story’s edge in defense and base running metrics still puts him slightly ahead.

Bogaerts (5.2 WAR) had a better 2019 season than Javier Baez (4.8 WAR). However, Baez was the runner-up for NL MVP the previous season and brings a better glove to the infield. He has the advantage for now but Bogaerts is gaining. His extreme tendencies to swing at pitches outside the zone could leave Baez prone to slumps that would shrink the gap even further.

That leaves Bogaerts in the fifth spot. He’s ahead of Carlos Correa, a former top prospect who has shown flashes while battling through injuries the last few years. Jorge Polanco (5.8 WAR) can make a case for moving up the list but his breakout campaign was significantly better than anything he’s produced before. Without more of a track record, Bogaerts is clearly still ahead of him.

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