Making the Grade: Ranking Shortstops in the AL Central

Sep 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop

(11) celebrates with Cleveland Indians first baseman

(36) after Ramirez scored during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The AL Central fields some of the most talented young shortstops in the game, but how well will youthful potential translate to big league production in 2015?

While the AL Central projects to be one of the most competitive divisions in all of Major League Baseball, the division lacks significant star power at some of the game’s premier positions.

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And shortstop is no different.

Aside from 2014 All-Star Alexei Ramirez, no shortstop in the AL Central has appeared in the All Star Game. None has ever won a Gold Glove and Ramirez, again, is the only Silver Slugger winner in the group.

But there is talent.

The division does field young shortstops with a lot of potential, including the Indians’ Jose Ramirez, the Twins’ Danny Santana and the Tigers’ Jose Iglesias. None of these guys are likely to blow fans away with MVP-like performances, but each is solid in all aspects of the game. They can all hit, play defense and change games with their speed.

This piece highlights the shortstops who occupy the division and ranks them, from 1-5, in reverse order from least productive to most productive.

Next: No. 5