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The top 10 MLB third basemen heading into spring training
Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant during a Spring Training workout at Sloan Park on Feb. 15, 2017. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The top 10 MLB third basemen heading into spring training

In today’s game, the hot corner may be the best collection of talent at one spot available. It has produced an MVP in each league over the past two seasons, as well as arguably the best infield defender in the game and a back-to-back homerun champion. And although the position loses an All-Star from a year ago in Matt Carpenter, who will move across the diamond to man first base this season, the position is far from watered down. In all likelihood, it will be the most hotly contested position at the Midsummer’s Classic for many years to come.

And now we look at the most dangerous position in the game today, a position that hosted eight 30 home run seasons and seven player produce a 5 WAR or greater a year ago. The hot corner is as heated as it has been in years, and makes for one of the toughest ranking groups of all headed into spring.

10. Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals


Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon before game one against the Los Angeles Dodgers of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park on Oct. 7, 2016. Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Rendon put his injured-plagued 2015 behind him and got back to the form that made him an All-Star two years ago. He swatted 20 home runs, 38 doubles and posted a career-high 85 RBI along the way. A solid presence in the field, he turned the fourth-most double plays among all third basemen, in addition to leading all NL third sackers in fielding percentage as well.

9. Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians 


Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on Sept. 18, 2016.  Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Ramirez was a vital, yet under reported, part of the Indians’ success last season. He stepped up in the void created by the season-ending injury to Michael Brantley, leading the team in batting average (.312) and position player WAR (4.0). In addition, he checked in second in the AL in doubles with 46 as well. Ramirez also played a huge part in the increased base running and speed prowess of the Tribe, stealing 22 bases at a non-tradition speed producing position.

8. Justin Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers 


Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner is greeted in the dugout after hitting a two run home run against the Washington Nationals in the third inning during game one of the 2016 NLDS. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

In his second season as a full-time starter, Turner continued to reaffirm his place as an irreplaceable part of the LA offense. Turner led the NL West champs in home runs and RBI, while setting personal highs in doubles and hits as well. He became especially effective when the table was set for him as well, hitting .325 with runners in scoring position and .300 with runners on as a whole. Corey Seager is the biggest talent in the lineup and Adrian Gonzalez is the proven product, but Turner is the straw the stirs the drink right now.

7. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays 


Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria reacts while at bat against the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field on July 31, 2016. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2016 saw a vintage Longoria make an appearance, as he swung one of the most dangerous bats in all of the American League once again. His 38 home runs, 98 RBI, 41 doubles, .521 slugging percentage and 173 hits were all five year personal highs. Overall, his 81 extra base hits were the third best in the AL. The now 31-year-old is setting himself up once again to be one of the most discussed potential trade chips in the game this summer.

6. Kyle Seager, Seattle Mariners 


Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager fields a ground ball in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins on Sept. 24, 2016. Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

It remains stunning how underrated Seager constantly remains year-to-year, despite the fact that he is nearing MVP-level overall production. 2016 marked the sixth year in a row the 28-year-old raised his home run total, which is now up to 30. He also posted career-bests in RBI (99) and across his full range of splits (.278/.359/.499/.859) as well. To top it all off, he finished just a hair behind Manny Machado and Nolan Arenado in dWAR at third base as well, while leading all AL third basemen in double plays turned and range factor.

5. Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers 


Sep 26, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) throws to first base during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports USA TODAY Sports

Baseball’s newest ageless wonder turns 38 shortly after opening day, however if his 2016 showing is any indication of what’s to come, don’t expect him to be slowing down anytime soon. Beltre is coming off a season where he won his fifth Gold Glove, while topping 30 doubles for the sixth straight year and reaching a three-year high in home runs with 32. He also hit .300 for the fourth time in the last five years and moved into the top five all-time in third base RBI, as he crossed the 1,500 mark. As for 2017? He’s just nine doubles short of 600 and 58 hits shy of 3,000. It’s a Cooperstown resume being finished up in real time.

4. Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles


Baltimore Orioles infielder Manny Machado throws during the spring training workout at Ed Smith Stadium on Feb. 17, 2017.  Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

He’s only 23 and it is not far from a stretch to say that he’s baseball’s absolute best under-25 talent today. For the second consecutive year he posted career best totals in across the board, which by his standards mean he ascended further up the ladder of the elites. Machado finished fifth in the AL MVP vote by finishing in the AL’s top 10 in runs scored (105), hits (188), doubles (40), home runs (35), extra base hits (78) and total bases (341). Add in his unparalleled defensive wizardry on the hot corner, and you have one of the game’s fastest rising stars that is already making a massive impact along the way.

3. Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays 


Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson reacts after making a play during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game 4 of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre.  Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 AL MVP followed up with an brilliant effort for his encore season, popping 37 home runs and improving his OPS to .953. All in all, he accounted for over 200 runs scored, driving in 99 runs and scoring another 122. He continued to be one of the most overall productive players in the game, posting a better than 7.0 WAR for the fourth straight year. Only Mike Trout has done that.

2. Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies 


Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado hits a solo home run in the first inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on Aug. 24, 2016. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Rockies’ 25-year-old wunderkind continued to push the limits of expectations for himself last year. He followed up his league-leading 42 home run, 130 RBI 2015 season by topping the National League in both categories yet again. Arenado connected for 41 homers and 133 RBI last year, while crossing the plate 116 times himself and posting career-best splits of .294/.362/.570. He even found time to win his fourth Gold Glove in as many years in the Show as well.

1. Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

The shooting star that is Kris Bryant continued its astronomical climb last year, as he followed up his Rookie of the Year showing by taking the National League MVP and leading the Cubs to the most elusive championship win in sports history. He became the fifth player ever to pull off the ROY to MVP encore season, joining Cal Ripken, Ryan Howard, Dustin Pedroia and Ichiro. In the process, the 25-year-old Bryant popped 39 home runs and topped 100 RBI, while leading the NL in runs scored at 121. What’s more is that he continued to become a more refined hitter in the process, cutting down on his strikeouts and improving his on-base percentage in four straight months. In just under 50 more at-bats in 2016 than ‘15, he had increases of 22 hits, 13 home runs, raised his on-base % by 16 points and cut his strikeouts by 45. He also spread his devastation around, homering at four different positions (3B, 1B, LF & RF) and hitting over .290 at three different spots as well.

Bryant is well on his way to becoming the face of Major League Baseball, as his onslaught at the plate as a pro continues.

Runners up: Jake Lamb, Maikel Franco, Todd Frazier

Up & Comer - Alex Bregman, Astros: Mercifully, the Astros decided to call off his abuse of minor league pitching early last year, after Bregman connected for 42 extra base hits and scoring 71 runs in 80 games. Yet, he did not let up after reaching the Majors, as Bregman hit for 13 doubles, 3 triples and eight homers after moving to third base upon reaching Houston. As a result, he’ll make a detour in route to his first full MLB campaign to help Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

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