Shortstop Targets for 2024 Fantasy Baseball

Oneil Cruz

Anyone who looks at statcast pages knows about the upside of Oneil Cruz. Cruz makes a stathead drool as his chart is absolutely covered in red and shows the makings of a potentially breakout 2024. Cruz was a popular breakout pick in 2023 prior to a foot fracture and I see no reason for us to change our optimism in 2024. Cruz's sprint speeds (97th percentile) and barrel percentage 15.5% show the potential for a 30/30 season. Cruz just put up a 17/19 season in 2021 in an insane 271 at bats.

It is clear the potential is there for an incredible season since Cruz has Aaron Judge size and power and top of the line speed. The biggest issue with Cruz is that he had significant trouble hitting lefties in the past however if he can increase his bat to ball and hit just .220 or so against them (which he has managed in the minors) he can keep his batting average to a respectable .250 range and end up a top 2 round pick in 2025. It's pretty crazy the Dodgers gave this guy up for Tony Watson.  

Dansby Swanson

Dansby Swanson had a brutal first season with the Cubs. All of Swanson's numbers across the board dropped except his fielding but as fantasy players we don’t get anything out of that! Swanson has never been a super high ceiling player but a solid average and near 20/20 is exactly what you look for in a shortstop a little later in the draft. Swanson had a lot of change and expectations in 2023 as he went from the Braves to the Cubs on a megadeal.

Oftentimes after a big contract with a new team players struggle with the added pressure but the most surprising thing about Swanson’s last season is despite the MLB changes that increased stolen bases across the board, Swanson stole 9 bases less despite no changes in his sprint speed. The Cubs as a team actually steal more than the Braves so I expect Swanson's stolen bases to bounce back up this year as well as his average and homers as he settles into his role as infield captain with the Cubs. Swanson is great value where he is going at the moment. 

This is it — the last 2023 gold glove Cubs middle infield highlight. What a journey.

Dansby Swanson makes one of his best plays of 2023, diving all-out into the deep 3B gap, getting to his feet fast, and firing a strong throw to complete the out. pic.twitter.com/MNrwZI49pn

Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Peña was the MVP of the 2022 ALCS and World Series leading many to expect him to blow up in 2023, however he did not. Peña took a step back overall and his statcast page does not give much reason for optimism however there are a few reasons I think he is a value where he is currently being drafted. First off Peña is entering his 3rd full season in the bigs and his age 26 season both of which are where breakouts often come.

Another reason is that Peña has elite sprint speed in the 96th percentile so even if his bat falters he will return value with stolen bases so the risk level is dampened with that. Lastly, Peña showed significant improvement in his plate skills last year decreasing his strikeouts by a large number and increasing his walks. I believe at an ADV over 200 and a huge drop off at the position after the top 10 or 15 shortstops, Peña offers one of the best chances at top eight value. 

Zach Neto

Last year the Angels did everything they could to put one last playoff push for Shohei Ohtani prior to his free agency. It failed miserably as they traded for multiple players only to release them a few weeks later due to falling out of contention and wanting to save a few dollars. Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel were both rushed to the majors to provide an influx of young talent but both likely would have benefitted from a bit more seasoning in the minors.

Neto, the Angels 1st round pick in 2022 struggled a bit right when he was called up but showed some skills that leave me optimistic for 2024. After going 1 for 16, Neto proceeded to put up a quality .826 OPS until he ended up on the IL with a back injury. Neto has good patience at the plate, good bat to ball skills and demonstrates a good exit velocity (110 mph max EV) with a good launch angle of 14.5 degrees. Neto is one of my favorite MI targets who I think could put up a 20/15 season with a palatable average. 

Masyn Winn

Masyn Winn reached the majors last year as a 20 year old and struggled with the Cardinals in a rare down year for the Red Birds. Winn tore up the minors to force St. Louis’ hand which gives me lots of expectations for Winn to grow as a 21 year old who is being handed the keys to the infield. In 2023 prior to Winn's promotion Winn put up 18 homers and 17 steals in just 445 ABs but one of the things I found most enticing is that he had a .359 OBP.

That shows above average plate skills for someone as young as him and makes me optimistic that he has the chops to get on base and steal bags with his 92nd percentile sprint speed. Winn is super cheap in drafts going off the board with an ADP of 461 and his returns on investment may end up vaulting you towards the top of your league. Worst case you can drop him since you will not have sunk much of an investment into him.