Post by Bro Namath on Dec 15, 2013 17:36:12 GMT -5
With this article, I factor in production, talent ratings, contract, and age for the true outcome of their value…I weigh talent ratings along with age more, and this could be a good guide to see who truly the best valuable Third Baseman on the market is. Here we go:
Top 10 MLB 3B
1. Hanley Ramirez - PIT - Age 20 - This one really wasn't too close in the end when you factor everything in. Hanley has everything you would want in a franchise player and is going to be leading the Pirates for a long time. He made his debut last year and had a pretty good season for a 19 year old. And this year he improved as you would expect. Once his homeruns, walks and strikeouts catch up with the hits and double number ratings he is going to be scary good. A/A speed and stealing ability. A range at 2B, 3B, SS with great fielding %s besides at SS. Hanley is going to be one of the best players in the league soon.
2. Jayson Werth - MON - Age 25 - Some may think I'm being a little biased and maybe so but I think Werth deserves to be here. He's been about as good as anyone could be in their first 163 MLB games(.293 avg, 35 homers, 118 rbi, 108 runs, 48 doubles) He doesn't have the stealing ability as some of the other guys but he is really valuable as a defensive player. He can play 1B, 2B, 3B, LF, CF, and RF which really comes in handy. Some love Werth some not so much but I obviously love him since I have him I think he's going to be a 30+ homer 100+ rbi guy every year. This one was close though the guy behind him is also a beast.
3. Jose Bautista - CHC - Age 23 - Bautista might should be ahead of Werth since he kinda exploded this year and is 2 years younger, but the big difference was that Werth still has his reversal and Bautista doesn't. And their talent ratings are exactly the same. But Joey Bats had a great rookie season and if he had been playing the whole year might have won ROY. He hit .318 with 14 homeruns and 71 rbis in 101 games and really gave the Cubs the power source they needed. Bautista has to love hitting behind all of those high OBP and steals guys the Cubs have. I expect him to have continued success as he is the perfect fit in the cleanup spot for that team.
4. Joe Crede - DET - Age 26 - Crede is a very similar player to Werth. The big difference being Crede doesn't strike out as much and Werth hits way more doubles. Also Crede's PD reversal has been used and Joe can only play one position. Crede is an awesome player as well though. He is coming off his best season in the majors hitting .302 with 23 homers, 97 rbis and 83 runs. Roberts was third on the 2B list so its safe to say the Detroit infield is looking good for the next 7-8 years with those two there.
5. Benjamin Schwartz - OAK - Age 25 - Didn't expect Schwartz to be this high but he is nice and none of the guys behind him really stand out. It was tough putting him this high as a gm who loves homeruns but he deserves it. The few extra homeruns doesn't make up for the great lead-off hitter I think Schwartz is going to be. He had a solid rookie year, he looks like he could be Jeter with speed as long as he doesn't have any set backs. He could really have a breakout year next year if he gets his iri's this off-season.
6. Adrian Beltre - TOR - Age 25 - Some might not have Beltre this high but he still has his TIA and Reversal along with putting up as good of numbers as anyone and being the best defensive 3B on the list. His biggest weakness is he doesn't walk a lot but that's a plus to some GM's and since he doesn't strikeout and gets a lot of hits thats really not a big deal at all. Like I said he plays great defense and if you don't mind the no steals than Beltre is great. He can really hit the ball. His past 3 seasons have been awesome.
7. Derek Jeter - SEA - Age 30 - Jeter is a natural SS obviously, but nanz has him playing at 3B since he has Rodriguez at SS. Jeter falls a bit on this list because of age and doesn't have the power as some of the other guys or the speed to make up for that difference. What he does do way better than any of the others is get on base. Which is really valuable especially if you have guys behind him who can drive him in. Jeter may not be very high on this list but he is invaluable to nanz I'm sure since he is a really good fit at the top of his lineup. Though the fielding % at 3B is pretty meh.
8. Kevin Youkilis/Aramis Ramirez - MIL - Age 25/26 - After the Heath trade I think the plan for Steve will be move Floyd to the OF and Youkilis at first with Ramirez at 3B. Youkilis played 3rd all year so I'll just put them together. I'm sure steve thinks Youkilis should be #1 but Youkilis still has some getting better to do. He should grow into a nice lead off man for Milwaukee similar to Jeter in Seattle, but Youkilis still strikes out way to much. That combined with a lack of power and speed. And Aram is great you could make a case for him over Jeter if he keeps playing like he did this year or gets better. He had a great last half of the season with San Diego. If he can keep it up steve really won that trade. Lack of speed hurts him a bit as well here. Steve should be ready to start winning next year now.
9. Eric Chavez - FLA - Age 26 - Chavez would have been higher on this list a few seasons ago, but he is coming off one of his worst seasons in the majors. And guys seem to lose value after being on the block for awhile and not moving but maybe not see Heath Bell lulz. I would just keep him if I were the Marlins though. He isn't anything special but he is really, really good. His biggest asset at the moment is his speed and stealing ability. He's a threat to steal 80 every year. He can also really hit, but doesn't have much plate discipline as he still strikes out a lot.
10. Aubrey Huff - SF - Age 27 - Huff doesn't get as much talk as he should as one of the better young 3Bs because nothing pops out at you about him. But Good talent in hits, doubles, homeruns, walks, and strikeouts. You don't see too many guys like that. He won't give you steals and isn't great defensively at 3B but other than that he is really nice. Better suited at 1B or LF probably but not a big liability defensively. It is good he has the versatility to play 1B, 3B, LF and RF that adds to his value a bit. Huff has hit over .300 in both of his first two seasons in San Fran which isn't that easy.
Honorable Mentions: Troy Glaus (KC/28), Aaron Boone (NYM/31), Adam LaRoche (STL/24), Damion Easley (ANA/34), Scott Spiezo (CIN/32), Phil Nevin (BAL/33) , Jeff Kent (NYY/36)
Top 3 3B Prospects
1. Brandon Phillips - TAM - Age 23 - A lot of similar looking 3B prospects. Phillips gets the nod because he plays the better defense. He's going to be an awesome hitter and play great defense at 3B. Won't get you steals, but with the way he will hit he won't need to.
2. David Wright - COL - Age 21 - Wright looks like he could be ready for the Majors soon. His only real problem will be that he won't walk a lot but that's no big deal I'll take the brilliant doubles over average or good in walks. No speed and fielding % at third is awful. But good thing he can play a lot of other positions and has good %s there.
3. Casey McGehee - MIL - Age 22 - And the third guy on the list is just as good as the others. He has brilliant in homers as well but it looks like he needs more time in the minors than Wright and Phillips. But once he is ready he is going to be a stud for the Brewers.
Top 10 MLB 3B
1. Hanley Ramirez - PIT - Age 20 - This one really wasn't too close in the end when you factor everything in. Hanley has everything you would want in a franchise player and is going to be leading the Pirates for a long time. He made his debut last year and had a pretty good season for a 19 year old. And this year he improved as you would expect. Once his homeruns, walks and strikeouts catch up with the hits and double number ratings he is going to be scary good. A/A speed and stealing ability. A range at 2B, 3B, SS with great fielding %s besides at SS. Hanley is going to be one of the best players in the league soon.
2. Jayson Werth - MON - Age 25 - Some may think I'm being a little biased and maybe so but I think Werth deserves to be here. He's been about as good as anyone could be in their first 163 MLB games(.293 avg, 35 homers, 118 rbi, 108 runs, 48 doubles) He doesn't have the stealing ability as some of the other guys but he is really valuable as a defensive player. He can play 1B, 2B, 3B, LF, CF, and RF which really comes in handy. Some love Werth some not so much but I obviously love him since I have him I think he's going to be a 30+ homer 100+ rbi guy every year. This one was close though the guy behind him is also a beast.
3. Jose Bautista - CHC - Age 23 - Bautista might should be ahead of Werth since he kinda exploded this year and is 2 years younger, but the big difference was that Werth still has his reversal and Bautista doesn't. And their talent ratings are exactly the same. But Joey Bats had a great rookie season and if he had been playing the whole year might have won ROY. He hit .318 with 14 homeruns and 71 rbis in 101 games and really gave the Cubs the power source they needed. Bautista has to love hitting behind all of those high OBP and steals guys the Cubs have. I expect him to have continued success as he is the perfect fit in the cleanup spot for that team.
4. Joe Crede - DET - Age 26 - Crede is a very similar player to Werth. The big difference being Crede doesn't strike out as much and Werth hits way more doubles. Also Crede's PD reversal has been used and Joe can only play one position. Crede is an awesome player as well though. He is coming off his best season in the majors hitting .302 with 23 homers, 97 rbis and 83 runs. Roberts was third on the 2B list so its safe to say the Detroit infield is looking good for the next 7-8 years with those two there.
5. Benjamin Schwartz - OAK - Age 25 - Didn't expect Schwartz to be this high but he is nice and none of the guys behind him really stand out. It was tough putting him this high as a gm who loves homeruns but he deserves it. The few extra homeruns doesn't make up for the great lead-off hitter I think Schwartz is going to be. He had a solid rookie year, he looks like he could be Jeter with speed as long as he doesn't have any set backs. He could really have a breakout year next year if he gets his iri's this off-season.
6. Adrian Beltre - TOR - Age 25 - Some might not have Beltre this high but he still has his TIA and Reversal along with putting up as good of numbers as anyone and being the best defensive 3B on the list. His biggest weakness is he doesn't walk a lot but that's a plus to some GM's and since he doesn't strikeout and gets a lot of hits thats really not a big deal at all. Like I said he plays great defense and if you don't mind the no steals than Beltre is great. He can really hit the ball. His past 3 seasons have been awesome.
7. Derek Jeter - SEA - Age 30 - Jeter is a natural SS obviously, but nanz has him playing at 3B since he has Rodriguez at SS. Jeter falls a bit on this list because of age and doesn't have the power as some of the other guys or the speed to make up for that difference. What he does do way better than any of the others is get on base. Which is really valuable especially if you have guys behind him who can drive him in. Jeter may not be very high on this list but he is invaluable to nanz I'm sure since he is a really good fit at the top of his lineup. Though the fielding % at 3B is pretty meh.
8. Kevin Youkilis/Aramis Ramirez - MIL - Age 25/26 - After the Heath trade I think the plan for Steve will be move Floyd to the OF and Youkilis at first with Ramirez at 3B. Youkilis played 3rd all year so I'll just put them together. I'm sure steve thinks Youkilis should be #1 but Youkilis still has some getting better to do. He should grow into a nice lead off man for Milwaukee similar to Jeter in Seattle, but Youkilis still strikes out way to much. That combined with a lack of power and speed. And Aram is great you could make a case for him over Jeter if he keeps playing like he did this year or gets better. He had a great last half of the season with San Diego. If he can keep it up steve really won that trade. Lack of speed hurts him a bit as well here. Steve should be ready to start winning next year now.
9. Eric Chavez - FLA - Age 26 - Chavez would have been higher on this list a few seasons ago, but he is coming off one of his worst seasons in the majors. And guys seem to lose value after being on the block for awhile and not moving but maybe not see Heath Bell lulz. I would just keep him if I were the Marlins though. He isn't anything special but he is really, really good. His biggest asset at the moment is his speed and stealing ability. He's a threat to steal 80 every year. He can also really hit, but doesn't have much plate discipline as he still strikes out a lot.
10. Aubrey Huff - SF - Age 27 - Huff doesn't get as much talk as he should as one of the better young 3Bs because nothing pops out at you about him. But Good talent in hits, doubles, homeruns, walks, and strikeouts. You don't see too many guys like that. He won't give you steals and isn't great defensively at 3B but other than that he is really nice. Better suited at 1B or LF probably but not a big liability defensively. It is good he has the versatility to play 1B, 3B, LF and RF that adds to his value a bit. Huff has hit over .300 in both of his first two seasons in San Fran which isn't that easy.
Honorable Mentions: Troy Glaus (KC/28), Aaron Boone (NYM/31), Adam LaRoche (STL/24), Damion Easley (ANA/34), Scott Spiezo (CIN/32), Phil Nevin (BAL/33) , Jeff Kent (NYY/36)
Top 3 3B Prospects
1. Brandon Phillips - TAM - Age 23 - A lot of similar looking 3B prospects. Phillips gets the nod because he plays the better defense. He's going to be an awesome hitter and play great defense at 3B. Won't get you steals, but with the way he will hit he won't need to.
2. David Wright - COL - Age 21 - Wright looks like he could be ready for the Majors soon. His only real problem will be that he won't walk a lot but that's no big deal I'll take the brilliant doubles over average or good in walks. No speed and fielding % at third is awful. But good thing he can play a lot of other positions and has good %s there.
3. Casey McGehee - MIL - Age 22 - And the third guy on the list is just as good as the others. He has brilliant in homers as well but it looks like he needs more time in the minors than Wright and Phillips. But once he is ready he is going to be a stud for the Brewers.