Aledmys Diaz, Dansby Swanson among promising young shortstops struggling in 2017

Aledmys Diaz's demotion to Triple A was the latest instance of a young, promising shortstop struggling in the 2017 season.

The Cardinals missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2010, but they appeared to have struck gold with Aledmys Diaz, a Cuban defector whom they'd signed in March 2014. Taking advantage of the early season absence of Jhonny Peralta, the 25-year-old Diaz put a claim on St. Louis’ shortstop spot while earning All-Star honors and finishing fifth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He hasn't been able to re-create that magic this year, however. On Wednesday, the slumping Redbirds optioned him to Triple A Memphis.

While 2016 NL Rookie of the Year Corey Seager has taken his place alongside Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor and Xander Bogaerts among the game's great young shortstops, Diaz—who admittedly is a bit older than that group (and missed the 2013 season for falsifying his birth date)—isn't alone among those who made a splash last year but have taken their lumps in 2017. Call this a six-pack of scuffling young shortstops; they’re listed alphabetically.