RE: 2008 Fantasy Third Base Rankings: American League

Rays Have Two of the Top 15 Third-Baseman? Here is one of the latest articles circulating around the Blogosphere from Crooked Pitch. ... the ranking list of American League third basemen for 2008. Alex Rodriguez | New York Yankees Miguel Cabrera | Detroit Tigers Mike Lowell | Boston Red Sox Chone Figgins | Los Angeles Angels Adrian Beltre | Seattle Mariners Troy Glaus | Toronto Blue Jays Josh Fields | Chicago White Sox Alex Gordon | Kansas City Royals Hank Blalock | Texas Rangers Evan Longoria | Tampa Bay Rays Eric Chavez | Oakland Athletics Melvin Mora | Baltimore Orioles Casey Blake | Cleveland Indians Mike Lamb | Minnesota Twins Akinora Iwamura | Tampa Bay Rays Brandon Inge | Detroit Tigers Joe Crede | Chicago White Sox Brandon Wood | Los Angeles Angels -- I was quite surprised to find two of the Tampa Bay Rays' athletes on this list. As I carefully dissected these rankings, I found several notable errors which could easily be revised. I would like to make it clear, however, that I am not criticizing the incredible content of this fellow blog, or the respectable blogger, but rather analyzing the players selected relative to their ranking on this memorable list. For the most part, I approve of the upper part of these rankings, obviously notching Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Cabrera at the top of this third-base hierarchy. But, Hank Blalock sticks out like a sore thumb. He knocked in 33 runs and hit 10 homeruns in only 58 games last season - which is quite remarkable. There is a large possibility that this upcoming season could be a rebound-season for the Texas-slugger, but that would be a bold prediction since nothing is insured and he could be injured once again. However, the selection of Evan Longoria at #10 shocks me even more. Evan Longoria, a promising prospect in the Rays' farm system, has not yet seen a pitch in the Major Leagues. The 22-year old third-baseman has played two years in the minors, compiling a .304 career-batting average and 153 career-RBIs. Last year, he was chosen as the MVP of the Southern League (AA). Although he has a ton of potential, and may possibly turn out to be like #1, Alex Rodriguez, he does not deserve to be slotted at the #10 spot. Eric Chavez and Melvin Mora are both dominant third-baseman who have already reached "the show." However, their skills have diminished with age and they are no longer considered the invincible sluggers that they once were. Therefore, their slots in this ranking list are somewhat acceptable at this point in their career, but they should definitely be ranked under the youthful, Akinori Iwamura. While Chavez and Mora are known for their power, Iwamura is known for his contact (similar to other Japanese star, Ichiro Suzuki). It is difficult to compare these couple of common batting styles, because it is simply comparing apples to oranges. But, Iwamura is younger than both of these veterans and will become more of an asset to the Rays than they will be to their organizations in the future. Akinora Iwamura, contrary to his fellow teammate, Evan Longoria, has spent one season in the Major Leagues and has earned his spot in these generous rankings. Despite participating in only 123 games, Iwamura established himself as a well-rounded athlete with substantial skills at third-base and at the plate. Last season, he slammed only seven homeruns and 34 RBIs in his rookie season. However, he achieved a .285 batting-average and is clearly one of the better contact hitters in the game. Although there is a slight difference in their statistics, I also feel that Iwamura is better than Mike Lamb of the Twins. CBS Sportsline ranks Iwamura above Mike Lamb by over fourteen spots in their MLB third-baseman rankings! The 32-year old third-baseman played in about the same amount of games and achieved slightly-better statistics at the plate, but is known for being a "butterfingers," in the field. In 2007, he made 33 errors while Iwamura, ranked below him on this ranking list, made only seven. Thus, it is evident that some revisions should be made here. Iwamura has earned his own reputation in Major League Baseball, whereas Longoria has not. Evan Longoria may have all the potential in the world, but only once he reaches that potential will I begin to praise his wonderful talents. I suggest that the honorable contributor to Crooked Pitch revises their generous rankings without making any premature judgements concerning players who have not yet step up to the plate in Major League Baseball. Otherwise, this is an excellent list and I'm glad to see that two Tampa Bay Rays' athletes have made the cut!