The Shortstop Drought

By KYLE KEOUGH
DOUBLE DAY DAILY

They've become the most valuable commodity in DoubleDay, more precious than gold. Shortstops have become the en-vogue accessory for any trendy owner, and a do-it-all player is in as high of a demand as ever before.

Teams are focusing their search more and more on a shortstop who can contribute offensively, and much of DoubleDay is hard at work trying to sleuth through International Free Agency to find the next franchise SS.

It led the Huntington Heroes to sign 18-year-old Jimmie Martis with an $11-million signing bonus in International Free Agency. The Heroes hope that Martis will be their shortstop of the future, a good batter who can hit .300 and can play the field. Though the book's still out on whether or not Martis will end up as a shortstop or as a third baseman - there are conflicting viewpoints around the league on prospects like Martin and their defensive prowess.

Increasingly, teams have settled defensively, opting instead for superior firepower. New York SS Harry Polanco was a blue-chip major league prospect when he entered the league last year, but he suffered through 38 errors as he continues to improve defensively. Oakland spent quite a bit to acquire Dale Coleridge in the offseason, and he's rewarded them with six errors on the season, to the tune of a .925 fielding percentage. In his major league career, Coleridge--who has the potential to be a legitimate and viable defensive shortstop as he gets older--has 120 errors.

And in Omaha, young Stephen Hutton, with a career .946 fielding percentage as a MiL SS, will assume the position of Omaha's primary glove for season four. A decent offensive hitter, Hutton will likely be among the league leaders in errors be season's end.

All are good players, and all have enjoyed quick ascents to the majors. But the price to their teams for a little bit of offense is sometimes astronomical.

The league leaders in errors generally tend to be young shortstops, who have been promoted young and have been asked to shoulder some of the offensive burden. Jordan Champion of Anaheim, a reputable hitter, had nearly as many errors (61) as runs batted in (69) in season three. The record-holder for single-season errors (75), Luis Pascual of San Francisco, was at the time 26 and a glorified third baseman with a decent bat. Pascual hit .276 that season, but fielded .912.

As the desperation for shortstops looms larger, expect for more of the same to continue. And don't be surprised if the bidding war for shortstops--even if that "shortstop" is a glorified third baseman--reaches astronomical proportions.