RotoGraphs Consensus Rankings – May Update: Third Basemen

by
June 1, 2015

We’re making our way around the diamond with our updated rankings and today we are onto the hot corner. Here are the positions we’ve done so far and you can also access them via the Positional Rankings in the right sidebar:

If you feel we missed someone, please let us know in the comments.

FYI: the table is sortable! Also, these are updated as of 6:20p CT on June 1st w/Beltre & Gallo news as well as adding Paredes into the mix.

Num Player Team League Paul Zach Mike AVG
1 Miguel Cabrera Tigers AL 3 1 1 1.7
2 Josh Donaldson Blue Jays AL 2 2 2 2.0
3 Todd Frazier Reds NL 1 3 5 3.0
4 Kyle Seager Mariners AL 4 5 8 5.7
5 Nolan Arenado Rockies NL 6 9 4 6.3
6 Kris Bryant Cubs NL 7 6 7 6.7
7 Matt Carpenter Cardinals NL 5 4 12 7.0
8 Evan Longoria Rays AL 9 7 6 7.3
9 Manny Machado Orioles AL 8 8 13 9.7
10 Chris Davis Orioles AL 13 14 3 10.0
11 Marcus Semien Athletics AL 10 11 17 12.7
12 Carlos Santana Indians AL 14 15 11 13.3
13 Anthony Rendon Nationals NL 20 12 14 15.3
14 Alex Rodriguez Yankees AL 12 20 16 16.0
15 Ryan Zimmerman Nationals NL 18 23 9 16.7
16 Jung-ho Kang Pirates NL 15 18 18 17.0
17 Pablo Sandoval Red Sox AL 26 10 15 17.0
18 Trevor Plouffe Twins AL 11 13 30 18.0
19 Mike Moustakas Royals AL 17 21 22 20.0
20 Chase Headley Yankees AL 21 19 21 20.3
21 Martin Prado Marlins NL 25 17 25 22.3
22 Josh Harrison Pirates NL 19 40 10 23.0
23 Aramis Ramirez Brewers NL 24 24 23 23.7
24 Alex Guerrero Dodgers NL 16 32 24 24.0
25 Pedro Alvarez Pirates NL 23 22 27 24.0
26 Xander Bogaerts Red Sox AL 27 16 31 24.7
27 Adrian Beltre Rangers AL 28 26 20 24.7
28 Jimmy Paredes Orioles AL 22 25 36 27.7
29 Yasmany Tomas Diamondbacks NL 32 34 19 28.3
30 Luis Valbuena Astros AL 31 29 33 31.0
31 Justin Turner Dodgers NL 29 27 39 31.7
32 David Freese Angels AL 30 33 32 31.7
33 Maikel Franco Phillies NL 37 28 34 33.0
34 Yunel Escobar Nationals NL 33 30 37 33.3
35 Lonnie Chisenhall Indians AL 39 37 26 34.0
36 Nick Castellanos Tigers AL 35 41 29 35.0
37 Matt Duffy Giants NL 36 35 38 36.3
38 Joey Gallo Rangers AL 38 31 42 37.0
39 Brett Lawrie Athletics AL 43 43 28 38.0
40 Will Middlebrooks Padres NL 34 44 41 39.7
41 David Wright Mets NL 42 39 40 40.3
42 Aaron Hill Diamondbacks NL 41 36 45 40.7
43 Mark Reynolds Cardinals NL 44 47 35 42.0
44 Brock Holt Red Sox AL 46 38 44 42.7
45 Max Muncy Athletics AL 40 46 48 44.7
46 Yangervis Solarte Padres NL 48 42 46 45.3
47 Kelly Johnson Braves NL 47 45 47 46.3
48 Hector Olivera Dodgers NL 45 48 48 47.0
49 Juan Uribe Braves NL 50 49 43 47.3
50 Jake Lamb Diamondbacks NL 49 49 48 48.7
51 Cory Spangenberg Padres NL 51 49 48 49.3
52 Miguel Sano Twins AL 52 49 48 49.7

Notes:

  • For me, Donaldson’s greatly improved AVG and Frazier’s speed give them an edge over Miggy. With just a power edge over Miggy, they’d still be behind him, but the improvements elsewhere keep JD and Frazier over Miggy the rest of the way.
  • **Mike’s updated ranking of Beltre will be added later today. He’s at work so as soon as he sends it, I’ll update!
  • This position is so deep. You’ve got guys in the 20s who could be 10+ ranks higher at shortstop.
  • Loving what we’re seeing from Bryant, but he’ll have a cold snap somewhere so I had a hard time seeing him as a top 5 rest of way.
  • I’m torn on Tomas as his .400 BABIP says the .320 AVG is fraudulent and the .082 ISO is so lame, but he has the 12th-highest Hard% at the position. I went conservative w/my ranking for now.
  • If you’re simply in need of power, there is some cheap pop available at the cost of batting average w/Freese, Valbuena, and Middlebrooks.

Let us know what you think!

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Paul is the Editor of Rotographs and Content Director for OOTP Perfect Team. Follow Paul on Twitter @sporer and on Twitch at sporer.

43 Comments
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the new
10 years ago

Trevor Plouffe at 30? Is that a typo? Are you serious?

3
Tchaikovsky08
10 years ago
Reply to  the new

I was just thinking this. Mike would rather own Lonnie Chisenhall over Plouffe? By four spots? Okay then.

2
Shawnuel
10 years ago
Reply to  the new

Yup….my exact thoughts.

2
Eltorostrikesagain
10 years ago
Reply to  Shawnuel

Plouffe and Longo are looking quite similar these days….

1