The money spent on free agents the past two offseasons is a great indication of how much high-end talent there is across baseball at the shortstop position right now, with Javier Báez, Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Trevor Story, Dansby Swanson and Trea Turner all securing nine-figure paydays.

That said, some teams are better set up for current and future success at the position than others.

Ahead we’ve broken down each team’s present and future outlook at shortstop, highlighting their current starter and their top prospect, followed by a prediction for who will start for each of the next five seasons.

Included with each top prospect is his tier ranking, based on where he slotted in Bleacher Report’s 2023 farm system rankings.

Think of it as the team’s five-year plan at the position.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Present: Nick Ahmed (Age: 32)

Ahmed is entering the final season of a four-year, $32.5 million extension and coming off a 2022 campaign in which he played just 17 games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. The two-time Gold Glove winner will be the starter as long as he’s healthy, though Geraldo Perdomo is also an option after he played 148 games as a 22-year-old rookie last season.

Future: Jordan Lawlar (Tier 1)

Lawlar looks like a future superstar after hitting .303/.401/.509 with 41 extra-base hits and 39 steals in 100 games across three minor league levels in his first full professional season. The 20-year-old still has work to do on the defensive side of things after committing 29 errors in 755.1 innings at shortstop, but his offensive game has put him on the fast track.

Five-Year Prediction: Ahmed (2023), Perdomo (2024), Lawlar (2025-27)

Atlanta Braves

Present: Vaughn Grissom (Age: 22)

The decision to let Dansby Swanson walk in free agency and not pursue any of the market’s other top shortstops means that Grissom will be the guy in Atlanta going forward. He hit .291/.353/.440 for a 121 OPS+ with 11 extra-base hits in 41 games filling in for the injured Ozzie Albies at second base last year, and he will need to prove he can handle the defensive demands of shortstop. Veteran Orlando Arcia will provide depth.

Future: Ambioris Tavarez (Tier 3)

Signed for $1.5 million during the 2021 international signing period, Tavarez has a 50-hit, 55-power offensive profile and room to grow into his 6’0″, 168-pound frame. The 19-year-old is a good athlete with the raw tools to stick at shortstop, but he is very much a developmental prospect.

Five-Year Prediction: Grissom (2023-27)