Fans have voiced strong support for St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn after he was once again overlooked by MLB Network analysts. The network recently continued its ranking of the top 10 players at each position following its Top 100 players list, and although the Cardinals had one representative overall, Winn was not included among the experts’ top shortstops.
Many expected Winn to at least appear near the lower end of the rankings after showing noticeable improvement during his second full major league season. Statistically, he ranked 10th among MLB shortstops in FanGraphs’ fWAR metric, yet MLB Network’s analytical system, known as “The Shredder,” still left him off the list.
However, fan voting told a different story. Supporters placed Winn as the ninth-best shortstop in the league, demonstrating their confidence in his talent and overall impact. While his offensive numbers ranked on the lower side compared to some of his peers, his exceptional defensive performance highlighted by his Gold Glove-caliber fielding was surpassed only by Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr., who topped both the expert and fan rankings.
The shortstop position in modern baseball has gradually shifted from being primarily defense-focused to one that demands stronger offensive contributions. Even so, Winn has shown promise at the plate, especially considering he has not yet reached 24 years old. Despite playing in different lineup roles, he recorded a 91 weighted runs created plus (wRC+), meaning his offensive production was slightly below league average. Cardinals fans also recognize that Winn battled injuries throughout the season, continuing to compete despite physical setbacks.
During his minor league career, Winn displayed the potential to deliver both power and speed, with projections of 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. After undergoing meniscus surgery late last year, a fully healthy Winn is expected to continue developing into a complete player capable of making major contributions both offensively and defensively.
Although the rankings focus on current performance, Winn appears well-positioned to climb higher in future evaluations if his growth continues. As the Cardinals work through a rebuilding phase, fans see Winn as a potential franchise cornerstone and a player who could energize Busch Stadium and help lead the team into its next successful era.
