Shortstop Jimmy Rollins backed up his bold preseason pennant prediction in 2007 by leading the Phillies to the playoffs with an MVP season.

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SI's resident fantasy guru, David Sabino, takes a preseason look at the fantasy prospects position-by-position and ranks the candidates in four tiers from the superstars to those who should be left at home. Today, the shortstops ...

The age of the strapping, power-hitting shortstops has given way to speedy all-around offensive and defensive weapons, and the three best of these all reside in the NL East. While top-heavy with superstars, the fantasy shortstop position goes deep in quality, with plenty useful options.

• Most Valuable: Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
• Most Overrated: Bobby Crosby, Athletics
• Most Underrated:  J.J. Hardy, Brewers
• Most likely to breakout: Yunel Escobar, Braves
• Most likely backup to earn a starting spot: Aaron Miles, Cardinals
• Most improved: Edgar Renteria, Tigers
• Most likely to flop: David Eckstein, Blue Jays
• Comeback shortstop of the Year: Michael Young, Rangers
• Best rookie: Luis Hernandez, Orioles
• Best $1 Long shot: Omar Infante, Braves

Locked At the Top

1. Jimmy Rollins, Phillies: Last year Rollins became the first NL player since Willie Mays 50 years before to reach 20 doubles (38), triples (20) and home runs (20). Then consider that his 381 runs scored are the most in the big leagues since 2005 and his 118 steals rank fifth among everyone. 

2. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins: Except for Ramirez, there's virtually nothing about the Fish that can be considered among the best in baseball. The man acquired for World Series heroes Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell led all shortstops in home run rate with one every 22 at bats while placing second in home runs(29), stolen bases (51) and extra base hits (83). His speed should counteract any effect the Marlins talent purge might have on his lineup protection.  

3. Jose Reyes, Mets: Despite an incredible slide late in the season that left him with the worst batting average in the NL from Aug. 12 to the end of the season (.215), Reyes is an elite offensive player. He's' the first player since Rickey Henderson to steal 60 or more bases in three different seasons and is headed for a fourth straight.

The Next Best

4. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies   
5. Derek Jeter, Yankees
6. J.J. Hardy, Brewers
7. Orlando Cabrera, White Sox
8. Miguel Tejada, Astros
9. Khalil Greene, Padres
10. Michael Young, Rangers
11. Edgar Renteria, Tigers
12. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers
13. Jhonny Peralta, Indians
14. Julio Lugo, Red Sox
15. Felipe Lopez, Nationals
16. Yunel Escobar, Braves
17. Erick Aybar, Angels
18. Jack Wilson, Pirates
19. Ryan Theriot, Cubs
20. Jason Bartlett, Rays
21. Yuniesky Betancourt, Mariners

Based on his dominant late-and-post-season showing, it's only a matter of time before Tulowitzki, 23, is a perennial MVP candidate. If he can get his steals total around 15 or so, he could be a top 10 overall player ... Few players have been as consistent as Jeter throughout the years, and you can count on him for a .300 average, about 100 runs scored  and double digit steals and home runs, but in two of the last three years his power and speed numbers have disappointed ... After hitting just 14 home runs between a modest rookie season in '05 and missing nearly all of '06, Hardy broke out to the tune of 26 home runs and 80 RBIs in the powerful Brewers lineup. Expect more of the same this year, albeit without any speed (three career steals) ... A lot has been said about the drop-off in Tejada's productivity in the wake of his inclusion in the Mitchell Report, yet he still managed credible numbers last year on a poor offensive team. If he's healthy and can avoid legal issues, he should produce 20 home runs and 100 RBIs with ease in the Astros lineup ... A great omen: 12 of Greene's career-high 27 home runs last season were hit at cavernous Petco Park ... The Tigers already had one of the majors' best shortstops in Carlos Guillen, but he now moves to first to make way for Gold Glove and batting champion contender Renteria who will be a great source of RBIs in what should be one of the AL's highest scoring offenses ... Replacing Renteria in Atlanta is Escobar, who showed flashes of brilliance while jumping around Atlanta's infield and batting order last year. He'll be the team's everyday shortstop and likely leadoff hitter ... Given a full season, Theriot should be the first Cubs shortstop to reach the 30 steals mark since Shawon Dunston in 1988 ... With Orlando Cabrera now on the South Side, Aybar finally gets to show off his skills, unless of course Maicer Izturis steals playing time from him ... Betancourt's glove is ahead of his bat, but has potential to easily make the top 10 and is a good gamble if you're in a budget pinch. 

From the Risks to the Reaches

22. Alex Gonzalez, Reds
23. Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks
24. Bobby Crosby, Athletics
25. Omar Infante, Braves
26. Tony Pena, Royals
27. Maicer Izturis, Angels
28. David Eckstein, Blue Jays
29. Luis Hernandez, Orioles
30. Freddie Bynum, Orioles
31. Adam Everett, Twins
32. Omar Vizquel, Giants
33. Cesar Izturis, Cardinals
34. Juan Uribe, White Sox
35. Alex Cora, Red Sox
36. Brian Bixler, Pirates

He had great stats last year (16 HR, 55 RBIs in just 110 games) in his first season in Cincinnati, but Gonzalez hasn't played more than 130 games in three seasons. Although it seems he has been around forever, he's only 31 years old ... Big things were expected of Drew, one of baseball's brightest prospects, but much like his brother J.D., he showed a knack for not fulfilling his promise. At least not yet. Don't stress over his .238 average and take a chance on him as a middle infielder with lots of upside on a team on the rise ... Once considered a potential MVP, Crosby is at the crossroads of his fantasy viability. His appeal actually comes from the lack of talent in the Oakland lineup which should set him up with a prime RBI slot in the order ... Look for Infante to be the Braves' jack-of-all trades and play at least 135 games with tons of position eligibility, making him an excellent asset ... Vizquel never has been a good source for power and last year his speed and ability to hit for average escaped him. At age 40 (41 on April 24) and on a bad team, he's someone to avoid at all costs ... Cesar Izturis replaces Eckstein in St. Louis and is an asset with his glove only, making him virtually useless for your fantasy team. Look for Aaron Miles and/or Brandon Ryan to supplant him at some point in the season ... Should Jack Wilson be traded from the Pirates, something rumored for the last three years or so, top prospect Bixler will step in and provide speed and a little pop.

Don't Even Think About

37. Ronny Cedeno, Cubs
38. Wilson Alvarez, Dodgers
39. Craig Counsell, Brewers
40. Cristian Guzman, Nationals
41. John McDonald, Blue Jays
42. Geoff Blum, Astros
43. Ramon Santiago, Tigers
44. Ben Zobrist, Rays
45. Jerry Gil, Reds
46. Oscar Robles, Padres
47. Brandon Fahey, Orioles
48. Augie Ojeda, Diamondbacks
49. Alberto Callaspo, Royals

SI.com's 2008 Fantasy Preview:

• Avoiding holes key at catcher
• Power in short supply at first base
• Bargains can be found at second base