2016 AL East Rankings by Position: Shortstop

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Oct 1, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates with Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) after scoring a run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Baltimore Orioles – J.J. Hardy, Ryan Flaherty, Paul Janish

The 33-year-old J.J. Hardy played much of 2015 injured, and hurt his team. Hardy played in 114 games, hitting .219/.253/.311, numbers all WAY below his career average, and all by far the worst in his career. Hardy is a career .257/.307/.413 hitter. So, while at his age he may be regressing, it should not be as extreme as last year.

Up until 2015, Hardy had won three straight Gold Gloves and rated very well defensively. Last year, Hardy only committed three errors, but his number of double plays was way down. With the strong arms of Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop, and the picking ability of Chris Davis, that should not be the case. However, considering his injuries were shoulder-related, it explains quite a bit.

So, while I expect Hardy to have a rebound year to an extent, he may never get back to his 2013 levels. If Hardy would get hurt again, it will be interesting to see what the Orioles do. They may decide it is time for Manny Machado to take over at shortstop and to find someone to play third base.

This will be a big year for the future at shortstop in Baltimore.

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