Arizona Diamondbacks’ shortstop Geraldo Perdomo earned recognition as the second-best shortstop in Major League Baseball for the upcoming 2026 season, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney. This high ranking highlights Perdomo’s rapid rise and ongoing development as one of MLB’s elite players.
Perdomo’s Emergence as an Elite Shortstop
ESPN senior writer Buster Olney placed Perdomo just behind Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals in his ranking of the top 10 shortstops ahead of 2026. Perdomo’s performance in 2025 positioned him among the elite candidates for National League Most Valuable Player honors and even in conversations alongside Shohei Ohtani for league-wide impact.
He led all NL position players in WAR last season with 7.0, excelling offensively and defensively and posting an adjusted OPS of 139. The Diamondbacks have loved his progression as a leader as well. Perdomo’s main area of growth in 2025, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo wrote in a text, “was from the offensive side. Balanced out his [left-right] splits. Maintained great plate discipline while improving his slug.”
– Torey Lovullo, Diamondbacks Manager
Last season, Perdomo’s wins above replacement (WAR) of 7.0 led all National League position players, showcasing his balanced excellence on both offense and defense. His adjusted on-base plus slugging (OPS) of 139 further underlines his offensive strength. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo also commended Perdomo’s leadership qualities, noting significant progress against both left-handed and right-handed pitching, alongside enhanced slugging power and consistent plate discipline.
Ketel Marte Tops MLB’s Second Basemen Rankings
Alongside Perdomo, the Diamondbacks’ second baseman Ketel Marte secured the top spot among all MLB second basemen in Olney’s preseason rankings. Marte, a two-time All-MLB First Teamer, outperformed contenders like Chicago Cubs’ Nico Hoerner and New York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr., who ranked second and third respectively.
Marte has established himself as the Diamondbacks’ premier player, generating value estimated by Olney at around $135 million over the past three years. His 2025 fWar (Fangraphs Wins Above Replacement) reached an impressive 10.9, surpassing Hoerner’s 8.7 and more than doubling Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve, who rated second in batting value for the position with 31.2.
He excels offensively, and while the numbers suggest he is just average defensively, he continues to be the preeminent player at this position.
– Buster Olney, ESPN Senior Writer
This acclaim from Olney highlights Marte’s offensive prowess as the driving factor in his standing, despite defensively being considered average by some metrics. Marte’s presence in the lineup remains pivotal to the Diamondbacks’ ambitions.
Gabriel Moreno Among Top Catchers Despite Injury Setbacks
Gabriel Moreno joined Perdomo and Marte as one of the three Arizona players making Olney’s initial preseason positional rankings, placing tenth among catchers. Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh, an American League MVP candidate in 2025, ranked first, followed by Toronto Blue Jays’ Alejandro Kirk and Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith.
… injuries have limited his playing time and production each of the past two seasons — he played 97 games in 2024 and 83 in ’25. But he’s regarded as an excellent all-around catcher.
– Buster Olney, ESPN Senior Writer
Moreno’s contributions during the Diamondbacks’ run to the 2023 World Series were described as invaluable. However, injuries forced him to miss substantial playing time in both 2024 and 2025. Despite this, his abilities behind the plate and overall impact earned him a 7.5 fWar from 2023 through 2025, ranking ninth among catchers nationally.
Other Diamondbacks Positions Await Rankings
No Arizona players appeared on Olney’s lists for top starting pitchers, relievers, or third basemen this year. Former Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez, now with the Cincinnati Reds, earned an honorable mention following a powerful 52-home run campaign split between Arizona and Seattle.
Upcoming rankings for other positions include corner outfielders, set to be revealed Wednesday, followed by center fielders on Thursday, and designated hitters on Friday. The Diamondbacks are hopeful that outfielder Corbin Carroll, despite suffering a hamate bone injury threatening his availability for Opening Day, may feature prominently among the upcoming selections.
Marte’s Commitment Reinforces Team Stability
Ketel Marte, 32, faced trade rumors throughout the offseason but recently expressed relief and satisfaction with remaining in Arizona. Manager Torey Lovullo emphasized the organization’s effort to reaffirm Marte’s importance to the team’s future.
making sure that he realizes how important he is to this organization.
– Torey Lovullo, Diamondbacks Manager
Marte’s ongoing presence is vital as the Diamondbacks aim to build on their recent successes and compete strongly in the upcoming season.
Significance of Perdomo’s Ranking and Team Outlook
Geraldo Perdomo’s rise to being MLB’s second-ranked shortstop reflects the Diamondbacks’ growing young core and their potential to become perennial contenders. His leadership and both offensive and defensive growth signal a player maturing into an MVP-level talent. Alongside teammates Ketel Marte and Gabriel Moreno, Perdomo provides Arizona with a strong foundation at key positions as they approach the 2026 season.
The upcoming weeks, as ESPN releases further positional rankings, will offer additional insight into the strength and evolution of the Diamondbacks roster. Fans and analysts alike remain eager to see how the team’s players, including Corbin Carroll, continue to develop amid injury concerns and competition pressures.
