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Washington Nationals: Ranking the Shortstops of the NL East

By Rob Shrum

Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Trea Turner (7) follows through on a swing for a single during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Trea Turner (7) follows through on a swing for a single during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria (3) is unable to field a ball during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria (3) is unable to field a ball during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

5) Adeiny Hechavarria – Miami Marlins

We begin our ranking with Miami Marlins Adeiny Hechavarria.

Hechavarria is a player with great potential, but never seems to truly reach expectations. This was especially true in 2016 with an across the board drop in offensive performance from previous seasons. Hechavarria had a .236/.283/.311 slash line for the season which was a drop off from .281/.315/.374. in 2015.

In 155 games the Marlins shortstop had three home runs, 17 doubles, 38 RBI, 52 runs,  and 120 hits. It’s safe to say that Hechavarria doesn’t fit the mold of an offensively-strong middle-infielder.

With that being said, Hechavarria’s upside continues to be his strong defense. Despite having the second highest number of errors among starting shortstops in the NL East (13), Hechavarria had a +9 defensive runs saved – well-above average on defense and actually placing him first among the other NL East starting shortstops in this category.

If based on defensive ability and fielding alone, Hechavarria would be much higher in this ranking, however batting and offensive performance have to be taken into account – particularly in a division now ripe with young talent who are more than  capable of putting up solid numbers across the board year over year.

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