The Glow Is Off at Shortstop

Key Points:

• The shortstop position in MLB is experiencing a significant decline in performance, with the current batting average of .244 being the lowest since 1975 and the position ranking as the second least productive in baseball based on OPS+.
• No qualified shortstop aged 30 or older is having an average or better season this year, marking only the third time in 25 years this has occurred, highlighting a notable downturn among veteran players.
• Several prominent shortstops in their 30s, including Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, and Francisco Lindor, are struggling due to injuries, declining stats, or position changes, contributing to the overall decline at the position.
• Teams like the Yankees, Braves, Tigers, and Brewers are increasingly turning to rookies to fill the shortstop role, reflecting a shift towards youth and athleticism over experience as the game evolves.
• Historically a position favoring younger players for their range and athleticism, shortstop now sees fewer long-term contracts for aging middle infielders, as the demand for speed and defense intensifies in modern baseball.