One of the most valued pieces of a position player’s profile is whether or not they can stick on the dirt. Extracting defensive value out of a player can be a key carrying tool, and these defensive standouts fit the bill perfectly.
Recent draft history tells us that the very best defensive shortstop prospects rarely make it to college. 2026 bucks that trend, with two of the names on the list, and one honorable mention being consensus top 50 prospects.
Roch Cholowsky, UCLA
Cholowsky not only is the consensus top player in the class, but also has a legitimate argument as the best shortstop defender in the country. Lauded for his glove in high school, adding 20 pounds in two years hasn’t affected the defense much at all. He possesses silky smooth, natural actions, with the ability to make the hard plays look easy. Cholowsky is a true pro on …