Not too long ago the shortstop position in baseball included some elite players.

Alex Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra and Miguel Tejada were all studs.  Remember when those guys all played shortstop?  Well, two out of the three are still in baseball, but not at the shortstop position anymore.

But a new young crop of shortstops has taken over the last few years, starting with this guy…

1.)  Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins, Age 26

By far the best shortstop in the league, Ramirez could be the best player in Major League Baseball not named Albert Pujols.  Ramirez took his game to new levels in 2009, hitting .342 with 24 HR and 106 RBIs.  The 26-year-old is an absolute stud, and he’s fast too.  Even though his stolen bases have dropped dramatically the last few seasons, he is still a huge threat on the bases.  Just now hitting his prime, don’t be surprised if Ramirez brings home the National League Most Valuable Player Award home in 2010.

2010 Prediction:  .355 28 HR 115 RBI

2.) Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies, Age 25

Even though Ramirez is miles ahead of everyone at the shortstop position, Tulowitzki is still a fantastic young player.  Tulowitzki came through big time after the All-Star break in 2009, hitting .344 for Colorado.  At 25, he has a lot of upside.  In 2009, he finished with a .297 average with 32 HR and 92 RBIs.  He also stole 20 bases, making him an even more dangerous player.  Expect a big season out of Tulowitzki in 2010.

2010 Prediction:  .295 30 HR 104 RBI

3.) Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, Age 35

Even after all these years, the 35-year-old Jeter continues to impress us.  The Yankees shortstop put together another fantastic year in New York in 2009, hitting .334 and stealing 30 bases.  Many thought he would start slowing down by now, but Jeter keeps proving them wrong.  With such a loaded lineup in New York, Jeter will continue to rake in 2010.

2010 Prediction:  .325 18 HR 69 RBI

4.) Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies, Age 31

Since winning the NL MVP Award back in 2007, Rollins has been slipping.  His average has dropped the last three years all the way down to .250 in 2009, and his RBI production isn’t the same.  Regardless, Rollins is still a threat on the bases and has potential to be great again.  If you are looking for power at the shortstop position or need a threat on the bases, take Rollins in your fantasy draft.

2010 Prediction:  .268 20 HR 79 RBI

5.) Jose Reyes, New York Mets, Age 26

When healthy, Reyes is probably the second-best shortstop in baseball.  In 2007 he batted .280 and stole 78 bases, and in 2008 batted .297.  But Reyes’ health has been an issue.  He only played 36 games in 2009, and already has thyroid issues in 2010.  Reyes is a risky draft pick that could either turn out to be great, or an injury-prone mistake.

2010 Prediction: .289 13 HR 55 RBI

6.) Jason Bartlett, Tampa Bay Rays, Age 30

Bartlett busted out offensively with Tampa Bay in 2009, and looks to continue that trend this season.  The 30-year-old sported a .320 average hitting 14 HR and 66 RBIs last year.  Not bad for a guy who hit a total of one homerun in all of 2008.  Expect Bartlett to have a good season, but that batting average will drop.

2010 Prediction:  .289 13 HR 66 RBI

7.) Stephen Drew, Arizona Diamondbacks, Age 26

Drew took a step backward in 2008, with his stats dropping in almost every category.  A disappointment in 2009, Drew looks to bounce back after dropping his batting average 30 points from the year before.  Even though he struggled, Drew should bounce back and get back on track in 2010.  At 26, he still has potential to be very good.

2010 Prediction:  .275 20 HR 68 RBI

8.) Yunel Escobar, Atlanta Braves, Age 27

An underrated shortstop, Escobar hit .299 with 14 HR and 76 RBI last season for the Braves.  Just entering his prime, Escobar will be the everyday shortstop for Atlanta for years to come.  The only lackluster quality about Escobar is his lack of speed (12 total stolen bases last three seasons).  If you are looking for a consistent player in later rounds of your fantasy draft, don’t pass him up.

2010 Prediction:  .295 16 RBI 79 RBI

9.) Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland Indians, Age 24

Indians fans don’t have much to look forward to these days, but a bright spot on the club is Cabrera.  At only 24, Cabrera has a promising career ahead of him.  In 2009 he hit .308 with 68 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.  Even though he doesn’t have much power, Cabrera is a solid choice at second base for most fantasy teams.  Watch out though, the Indians aren’t any better than they were in 2009, meaning Cabrera won’t have a ton of opportunities to knock in runs.

2010 Prediction:  .300 8 HR 62 RBI

10.) Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers, Age 21

By far the youngest player on this list, Andrus made the transition to the majors fairly well in 2009.  He hit .267 with 6 HR and 40 RBI.  But that’s not the reason he is on this list.  Andrus stole 33 bases in 2009, and that number will go up in 2010.  Such a young player, Andrus will be in the league for a long time, and will improve in 2010.

2010 Prediction:  .279 7 HR 58 RBI

Sleepers in 2010

1.) Rafael Furcal, Los Angeles Dodgers, Age 32

Furcal is kind of a mystery at times.  He didn’t play well most of 2009, but in his last 27 games batted .330.  Furcal could steal a ton of bases and score a lot of runs if he stays healthy in 2010.

2.) J.J. Hardy, Minnesota Twins, Age 27

The newly acquired shortstop gets a new start with the Twins in 2010.  Hardy underperformed with Milwaukee last season and was traded.  Hardy could bounce back and regain his form with a new ballclub, though.

3.) Alcides Escobar, Milwaukee Brewers, Age 23

The replacement at shortstop for Hardy, Escobar played well with the Brewers after he was called up from Triple-A.  Escobar could have a great rookie season, and don’t be surprised if he steals 25 bases.

Next Week: Third Basemen