Shortstop: Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers
2019 Salary: $15.25 million
Technically, Troy Tulowitzki could be at the top of the shortstop money list. However, it’s time for some different faces, plus him getting released by the Toronto Blue Jays and picked up by the Yankees for the league minimum made this switch possible.
The Rangers shortstop appeared in 97 games during the 2018 season, which was easily a career-low mark. It was the first time he appeared in fewer than 145 games as a big-leaguer (he debuted in 2009). The most notable part of Andrus’ 2017 season was his homer binge. He launched 20 dingers, which was the first time he reached double digits in a single year. It was also more than his combined homers hit from 2014-16.
Despite the general lack of opportunity, Andrus only slugged six dingers last year, which was more in line with his career norms. With a fly-ball rate that typically hovers around 30-31%, it’s imperative for him to take advantage of the balls he does get in the air. In 2017, the 30-year-old posted a 146 wRC+, .500 ISO, and 36.1% hard-hit rate on fly balls. Those numbers all decreased significantly this past year to 11, .235, and 26.2%, respectively.
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