For the following weeks I will be ranking players for the upcoming season. I will be looking at previous seasons, their 2016 season and projectability.
Third Basemen
5. Rangers Third Basemen:
Adrian Beltre who I believe is a border line candidate for the hall of fame. He should be on this list. Adrian Beltre added to an impressive career by adding a gold glove this past year to give him five for his career. He also batted .300 with 32 bombs. The combination of a good hitter with power, and some of the best defense in the league makes Beltre a very good pick for number five.
4. Orioles Third Basemen:
Manny Machado one of my favorite players in the league because of his amazing defense because of his vacuum glove and rocket arm. In his five years in the league he has been named to three All-Star teams and has two gold gloves. He also hit 35 home runs to go along with 40 doubles to show an elite type of power. Manny Machado is one of the great young talents in baseball, and is only behind two MVP's and arguably the best player in baseball.
3. Blue Jays Third Basemen:
Josh Donaldson the 2015 MVP is electrifying to watch. Also a premium defender along with almost everyone on this list Donaldson is the reason that mighty Blue Jays offense goes. Josh did only hit .284 but unlike Machado and Beltre he had an OBP over .400. Also in the playoffs he willed the Blue Jays to the American League Championship series
2. Cubs Third Basemen:
Kris Bryant who only has two years in the league has a Rookie of the Year, an MVP, and a World Series ring. He also provides stellar defense along with the flexibility to play at almost all the infield positions and the corner outfield positions. Bryant also hit 39 home runs with a .385 OBP. Why I see Bryant as the second best third basemen is because his OPS+ career wise is 142, which is a higher career mark than Ken Griffey Jr.
1. Rockies Third Basemen:
Nolan Arenado in my humble opinion is the best player in baseball with four consecutive gold glove awards, and only four years in the league he has proved that he is a premium defender at his position. He also had back to back years with 40+ home runs, and 130+ RBIs. Arenado also batted .294 in 2016 with a .362 OBP, so he is not just a power hitter. Playing in Colorado is hurting his young career because his offensive dominance is being contributed to Coors field like many great Rockies players.
