The Five Best Defensive Shortstops

When Rafael Furcal arrived in Atlanta in 2000, the 22-year-old shortstop turned heads almost immediately with his rare combination of speed, hitting and defense. That first year, Furcal played in 131 games, stole 40 bases, posted a .295 batting average and a .382 on-base percentage and won the National League Rookie of the Year award.

What nobody knew then was that the 22-year-old Furcal also possessed the best non-pitching throwing arm in baseball. Without question, Furcal slings the ball to first base like few other athletes have. In a 2005 ESPN story, writer Phil Rogers rated his arm strength a touch better than that of Scott Rolen. Another report claims he throws the ball 94 mph.

His arm strength helped Furcal lead the National League in putouts in both 2005 and 2006. Furcal, though, isn't the only great defensive shortstop in the game these days. In fact, there are others who are more accurate with their throws and who are better fielders.

These four shortstops belong on a pedestal alongside Furcal. They complete the list of the five best defensive shortstops in the game.

Troy Tulowitski-Tulo led the National League in fielding percentage, putouts (262) and assists (561) in 2007, and he was leading the league in all three categories again through the first 50 games of the 2010 season. His 2007 assists total was the most by a shortstop since Ozzie Guillen had 570 assists in 1988, and his 262 putouts were the most since 2000.

Orlando Cabrera-Orlando is the preeminent defensive shortstop in the majors these days. Has has led each league once in fewest errors committed, and that's not without plenty of opportunities. Cabrera led the American League in putouts in both 2006 and 2008, and he led the National League in the same category in 2003. Cabrera also led the American League in assists in both 2008 and 2009. As well, he has led one of the two leagues in fielding percentage three times in his career.

Miguel Tejada-Derek Jeter never seems to lead the league in defensive categories, but he has remained incredibly consistent throughout his career. Jeter has a .976 lifetime fielding percent, and his .986 fielding percentage in 2009 was the best of his 16-year career. Incredibly, Jeter has not made more than 18 errors in a season since 2000. But Tejada is the better defensive shortstop of the two. While Tejada has only a .971 lifetime fielding percentage, he has been among the league leaders in putouts and assists every season. The only reason Jeter makes fewer errors is that he makes fewer plays. His range is limited, and analyst Bill James bears this out with his 2009 comparison between Jeter and Adam Everett.

Hanley Ramirez-While Ramirez is mostly known for his offense, he also takes much pride in his defense. Ramirez committed the fewest errors among shortstops in both 2007 and 2008. He led the National League in putouts in 2008 and 2009. Hanley's .968 lifetime fielding percentage leaves a bit to be desired, but he had a .983 fielding percentage in 2009. Plus, at age 26, Ramirez is still less than five years out of the minor leagues.

Sources

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=rogers_phil&id=1988383

http://baseball.playerprofiles.com/sampleplayerprofile.asp?playerid=4713

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/E_ss_leagues.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/PO_ss_leagues.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/A_ss_leagues.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/fielding_perc_ss_leagues.shtml

http://www.billjamesonline.net/fieldingbible/jeter.asps