Five Breakout Shortstops for 2024
Shortstop is always one of the most intriguing positions in fantasy baseball. At the top, you have some of the game’s biggest stars: Trea Turner, Bobby Witt Jr., Corey Seager, and Francisco Lindor. But there are a few shortstops poised for breakout years in 2024. These players aren’t guaranteed to play well, but it is certainly possible for each of them. If they do, they will provide tremendous value to the fantasy teams on which they are rostered. They are listed below.
Vaughn Grissom, Boston Red Sox
Vaughn Grissom proved in 2022 that he has what it takes to compete in the big leagues. The problem was that he struggled to get playing time for the Braves. Now that he is a member of the Red Sox, it seems like he will get consistent major-league at-bats. He may not play much at shortstop due to Trevor Story, but Grissom will still have shortstop eligibility in most leagues. And while his numbers in 2023 with Atlanta weren’t great, he only got 80 plate appearances (most of which came in the first few weeks of the season). In 102 Triple-A games, he absolutely mashed, slashing .330/.419/.501 with 131 hits, 36 doubles, 8 home runs, and 13 stolen bases. He also showed solid plate discipline, only striking out ten more times than he walked. With his current ADP around pick 230, there is a lot to like about drafting Grissom.
Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels
After managing to get just one hit in his first four major league games, Zach Neto found his footing for the Angels. Over the next two months, he slashed .279/.359/.468, hit 12 doubles, scored 23 runs, drove in 22 runs, and stole 5 bases. Then, he began dealing with injuries that tanked his performance and plummeted his season OPS to .685. If he is healthy in 2024, he could provide steady value in both points leagues and roto leagues. Considering how he just turned twenty-three, expect him to grow as a player in the coming years. This growth could certainly start in 2024, so think about taking a flier on him in the later rounds of your draft. Neto’s current ADP is around 300.
Jordan Lawlar, Arizona Diamondbacks
Had Jordan Lawlar not been called up by the D-Backs in September, there is a solid chance that his ADP would be higher than 302.3. Lawlar is a top prospect for a reason. In 105 Triple-A games last year, he slashed .278/.378/.496 with 116 hits, 23 doubles, 20 home runs, and 36 stolen bases. He may be blocked from starting by Geraldo Perdomo at first, but it is only a matter of time before he is the D-Backs’ full-time shortstop. With his rare power-speed combination, Lawlar could be a league-winner in 2024.
Masyn Winn, St. Louis Cardinals
Like Jordan Lawlar, Masyn Winn is a twenty-one-year-old prospect who struggled during his brief stint in the majors last season. The similarities to Lawlar don’t stop there. Over his last two years in the minors, Winn stole 60 bases and hit 30 home runs in 224 games. He is still technically a rookie, expected to start the year as the Cardinals’ starting shortstop. There are reports that he gained weight over the offseason, so his batted-ball data could be something to monitor throughout Spring Training. Overall, he may not have the same level of upside as Lawlar, but Winn could play well-above his draft stock in 2024. Right now, you can draft him in the mid-300s.
Colson Montgomery, Chicago White Sox
Of all the players on this list, Colson Montgomery is probably the least likely to make his team’s Opening Day roster. However, he is still worth your attention going into 2024. Across 186 career minor-league games, Montgomery has a .280/.410/.438 slash line, along with 187 hits, 38 doubles, 19 home runs, and 123 walks. He may not have elite speed, but his ability to consistently get on base should translate well to the majors. He received a non-roster invite to Spring Training, but it is unknown when exactly Montgomery will make his debut. The White Sox aren’t exactly flooded with talent, so it could be pretty soon. Though, as of now, it looks like Paul De Jong will be the starting shortstop to begin the season. However, Montgomery could find his way into the lineup at some point in 2024. You may not necessarily want to draft him, but you should pay attention to your league’s waiver wire if/when Montgomery gets called up.
