Top 20 Shortstops of all time in MLB
Shortstops 10 thru 6
10. Luke Appling
Key Team: Chicago White Sox
Career Highlights: 7-time All-Star, 2-time AL batting champion, .310/.399/.398 slash line
Summary:
Nicknamed “Old Aches and Pains,” Luke Appling was renowned for his uncanny ability to foul off pitches and wear down opposing pitchers. Over a 20-year career (primarily during the 1930s and ’40s), he compiled a .310 batting average and a remarkable .399 on-base percentage—phenomenal numbers for a shortstop of any era. Appling twice led the American League in batting average, showcasing top-tier contact skills, and maintained a disciplined approach at the plate. Although not known for big-time power, he drove in runs consistently and rarely gave away at-bats. His defensive reputation was also strong, and combined with his batting prowess, he ranks comfortably among the greatest shortstops of the pre-expansion era.
9. Robin Yount
Key Team: Milwaukee Brewers
Career Highlights: 2-time AL MVP (once as a shortstop, once as a center fielder), over 3,000 career hits, Hall of Famer
Summary:
Robin Yount began his career as a raw teen phenom and developed into a two-time MVP, winning one award as a shortstop and the other after shifting to center field. During his years at short, he showcased strong range, a reliable glove, and a bat that just kept improving. In his MVP season of 1982 (as a shortstop), Yount hit .331 with 29 home runs, firmly establishing himself as one of baseball’s best all-around players. He reached the 3,000-hit milestone, further cementing his Hall of Fame credentials. While he eventually moved to the outfield to extend his career, his impact as a shortstop was enormous—particularly in proving that a middle infielder could be an elite offensive force.
8. Barry Larkin
Key Team: Cincinnati Reds
Career Highlights: 12-time All-Star, 1995 NL MVP, 3 Gold Gloves, 9 Silver Sluggers
Summary:
Long before the likes of Francisco Lindor and Trea Turner, Barry Larkin was the blueprint for the athletic, five-tool shortstop. A Cincinnati native who spent his entire career with the Reds, Larkin combined a slick glove with a potent bat—winning the NL MVP award in 1995 when he batted .319 and joined the 50-stolen-base club. He was one of the first shortstops to reach 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season, displaying both power and speed. Defensively, he won three Gold Gloves, turning countless double plays with trademark quickness. A clubhouse leader and consistent performer, Larkin helped guide the Reds to a World Series title in 1990 and was deservedly inducted into the Hall of Fame for his well-rounded excellence.
7. Ozzie Smith
Key Teams: San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals
Career Highlights: 13 Gold Gloves, 15-time All-Star, Hall of Famer
Summary:
When fans hear the name “Ozzie Smith,” they likely envision acrobatic backflips and jaw-dropping defensive plays. Dubbed “The Wizard,” Smith could do things with the glove that few others in history have even approached. His reaction times, range, and soft hands made him a generational defensive talent, leading to 13 consecutive Gold Gloves. Although he was never a major power threat, Smith transformed himself into a competent contact hitter, especially in the mid-to-late stages of his career. He frequently swiped 30–40 bases a season and was a formidable run-scorer for the Cardinals. Defense, speed, and intangible leadership qualities made Ozzie Smith a generational icon at shortstop.
6. Arky Vaughan
Key Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Brooklyn Dodgers
Career Highlights: 9-time All-Star, .318/.406/.453 career slash line, 1935 NL batting champion
Summary:
Arky Vaughan is one of the most underrated hitters in baseball history. A left-handed batting shortstop who excelled in the mid-1930s and ’40s, Vaughan possessed exceptional bat control, plate discipline, and gap power. In 1935, he led the league with a .385 average, a mark few shortstops have ever approached. His career on-base percentage of .406 is staggering, especially for a middle infielder of that era. Defensively, he was considered solid if unspectacular, but his outstanding offensive production more than compensated. While he tends to be overshadowed by Honus Wagner among Pirates shortstops, Vaughan’s advanced hitting metrics and consistent excellence place him firmly among the all-time elite at the position.
