Podcast Summary: The Dan Patrick Show – "Our 2025 Shortstop Tier List (with Jolly Olive)"

Episode Information:

• Title: Our 2025 Shortstop Tier List (with Jolly Olive)
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
• Release Date: January 29, 2025

Introduction to Tier List Season

[01:57] Martin Luther King III:
"This is my Legacy. Hello and welcome to Wake and Jake. It's time. It's Tier list season. It's the season of the sticks."

Martin Luther King III and co-host Jolly Olive kick off the episode by announcing the commencement of Tier List Season, focusing exclusively on evaluating shortstops in Major League Baseball for the 2025 season.

Top Tier Shortstops

[10:32] Jake:
"Aaron Bleep and Judge is reserved for two men and you could probably deduce who they are just by the name."

The hosts identify Aaron Bleep and Judge (likely pseudonyms for high-profile shortstops) as the top-tier players. These players are highlighted for their exceptional talent, consistent performance, and significant impact on their teams.

[11:00] Jake:
"They are some of the younger shortstops here and they're already the most talented from the looks of it. They also play in the same league and they probably will both end up with MVP hardware at some point."

Jake emphasizes the youth and potential MVP-caliber performance of these top-tier shortstops, positioning them as future stars in the league.

Future MVP Contenders

[12:09] Martin Luther King III:
"Bobby and Gunner side by side. Judging on last season you cannot pick Gunner."

Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunner Henderson are discussed as future MVP contenders. Their combined performance metrics and leadership qualities make them standout players poised for MVP recognition.

Three-Legged Horses (Prospects Needing Improvement)

[34:46] Jake:
"Three Legged Horse is kind of like a little bit what we were just talking about. They're kind of one tool away from moving up."

This category includes shortstops like Ellie De La Cruz and Carlos Correa who possess significant potential but require improvements in specific areas such as strikeout rates and consistency to climb higher in the tier list.

[37:12] Martin Luther King III:
"It's an unreal season. I guess the fear is like you mentioned the strikeouts."

The discussion highlights strikeouts as a critical factor holding back players like De La Cruz, despite their offensive prowess and defensive capabilities.

Wife Swap (Players on the Bubble)

[16:00] Martin Luther King III:
"...Xander Bogarts and Trevor Story just came from the thought of... they're both going to be 32 years old this year. They're both getting paid well above 20mil a year to play their position."

Xander Bogarts and Trevor Story are placed in the "Wife Swap" category, indicating their value is significant but they come with risks such as age and high contracts. Their performance could either solidify their positions or lead to trades/swaps based on team needs and individual outputs.

Hasan Kim Tier

[47:38] Jake:
"Hasan Kim, already the fourth most valuable player from Korea in baseball history."

Hasan Kim is evaluated as a reliable shortstop option, offering consistent performance without the high risk associated with other tiers. His defensive skills and steady offensive contributions make him a valuable asset for any team.

[48:30] Martin Luther King III:
"Jeremy Pena plays a terrific shortstop position. He has been league average for all three years of his career."

Jeremy Pena is also included in this tier, noted for his consistent defensive play and league-average hitting, providing stability to his team's infield.

Notable Discussions and Player Evaluations

• Mookie Betts:
  [29:06] Jake:
  "They belong at the top. No question in my mind."
  [30:39] Jake:
  "Mookie is more around a 140ish OPS plus. That was a 165."

  Mookie Betts is discussed as an exceptional shortstop with remarkable offensive and defensive stats, though his limited games at the position prevent him from being fully placed in the top tier.

• Corey Seager & Francisco Lindor:
  [25:40] Jake:
  "Corey Seger definitely still deserves to be at the top."

  Both Corey Seager and Francisco Lindor are recognized for their leadership and significant contributions to their respective teams, making them key figures in the upper tiers of the list.

• Dansby Swanson:
  [50:13] Jake:
  "I think that's my thing. It's like I..."

  Dansby Swanson is evaluated for his consistent performance and quality defensive play, though concerns about his offensive output and contract value place him in a mid-tier position.

Conclusion and Final Tier Placement

[70:14] Jake:
"This is a big day for Per Domo. He's Hassan Kim and that's okay for this season."

The hosts conclude by reaffirming the tier placements, emphasizing the balance between offensive capabilities, defensive skills, age, contract values, and potential for growth or decline. They acknowledge the dynamic nature of the tier list, anticipating changes as the season progresses and players' performances fluctuate.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jake on Top Tier Players:
  [10:32] Jake:
  "Aaron Bleep and Judge is reserved for two men and you could probably deduce who they are just by the name."

• Martin on Future MVPs:
  [12:09] Martin Luther King III:
  "Bobby and Gunner side by side. Judging on last season you cannot pick Gunner."

• Jake on Hasan Kim's Value:
  [47:38] Jake:
  "Hasan Kim, already the fourth most valuable player from Korea in baseball history."

Final Thoughts

The episode provides an in-depth analysis of the current landscape of shortstops in MLB, categorizing players based on their performance metrics, potential for growth, and overall value to their teams. The hosts engage in a nuanced discussion, balancing statistical data with subjective insights, making the content both informative and engaging for listeners interested in baseball analytics.

For a comprehensive understanding and ongoing updates, tune into future episodes as the Tier List evolves with the unfolding baseball season.