Bubba & the Bloom EP 308 - 2026 Shortstop Preview

·1 hr 11 min·5 clips

Ryan Bloomfield explains why shortstop is now top-heavy and why you need to attack it early.

This episode previews the 2026 fantasy baseball shortstop position, hosted by Bubba and Ryan Bloomfield, experienced analysts for Baseball HQ. They begin with housekeeping for their upcoming listener leagues and discuss a potential trade involving pitcher Edward Cabrera. The hosts analyze the top shortstops by ADP, starting with Bobby Witt Jr. as the consensus third overall pick. They compare Elly De La Cruz's high ceiling to his lower floor and discuss Gunnar Henderson's power dip and stolen base surge. Francisco Lindor is highlighted for his consistent 30/30 production, while Trea Turner's age and hamstring history are noted as risks. Zach Neto's 30/30 potential is weighed against a weaker Angels lineup, and CJ Abrams is labeled a value pick for speed. Mookie Betts is mentioned as a player showing clear signs of regression in average and steals. A key insight is that the position is now top-heavy, with a significant talent drop after the top 15 picks. They argue fantasy managers should aggressively target one or even two shortstops early to secure steals and average. The potential trade of Edward Cabrera to the Cubs is framed as a boost for pitcher Robbie Snelling's fantasy value in Miami. The hosts emphasize that team context, like lineup support, creates major differences between similarly ranked players like Neto and Abrams. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending statistical breakdowns with draft strategy advice. This episode is ideal for fantasy baseball managers preparing for 2026 drafts, especially those in deeper leagues or NFBC formats. Listeners seeking narrative storytelling or non-fantasy baseball content should skip this positional preview.

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