Total Pageviews

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Top 5 Best Third Baseman Right Now.

Right Now I am counting my top 5 right now with the best third baseman heading into the 2011 season. See who made my top five.




1. New York Yankees - Alex Rodriguez

Now Alex Rodriguez might be the second best hitter in baseball right behind Albert Pujols but at third base he is one of the best hitter right now to play this spot. Rodriguez came to the Yankees from the Texas Rangers in 2004 playing shortstop his whole career and since the Yankees already had a shortstop in Captain Derek Jeter, Rodriguez deiced to move over to play at third base. Over the years Rodriguez has adjusted to the spot, has yet to win a gold glove at third base but he still has a really nice glove. As for his hitting that hasn't changed at all and after coming over to the Yankees he has hit 30 or more home runs, and drove in 100 or more RBI's in all 7 years with the Yankees. He is the man you want in a key moment to either tie a ball or win a ball game. As of right now Rodriguez has 613 career home runs and will most likely hit 700 home runs if he stays healthy and could past a fellow Yankee in Babe Ruth who hit 714 career home runs (3rd on the list). He could also even past Hank Aaron who is (second on the list) with 755 career home run and maybe even break Barry Bonds home run record (1st on the list) of 762 career home run set back in 2007 and become the new home run king. Rodriguez also has 2,672 career hits and could come close to hitting 3,000 hits but it's more likely that he would hit 700 home runs before he does that. He is one the game’s best power hitter at third base. In his career Rodriguez has won 10 AL Silver Sluggers award, won 3 AL MVP awards, and has won 2 AL Gold Glove awards at shortstop. In 2009 A-Rod helped the Yankees win their 27th World Series title and his first World Series title in his career over the Philadelphia Phillies. His postseason numbers are one of the best since he was drafted in 1996 batting .290, hit 13 home runs, and drove in 38 RBI's, In 2010 however he was off to a slow start but really picked it up in the second half in the 2010 season batting .270, hit 30 home runs, and drove in 125 RBI's. Coming into the 2011 season he still one of the highest paid players in baseball making $275 million dollars in his 8 year deal contract with the Yankees.



2. Tampa Bay Rays - Evan Longoria

Now that Carl Crawford is no longer a member of the Rays Evan Longoria is now the face of this team and as of right now he is by far the best hitter they have on this team. Playing in the AL East with the Yankees and Red Sox he has proved that he has what it takes to win after winning 2 AL East Division titles in 3 years. He might even be one of the most consisted hitters in the game and as far as fielding a ball is the best man for the job and it surprising that he hasn't won more gold glove awards. He is everything you look for in a player, a player with speed and power. If the Rays have any hope to making it to the postseason in 2011 they are going to need him for the whole season. In 2010 Longoria batted .294, hit 22 home runs, drove in 104 RBI's and in his career he has won the 2008 Rookie of the Year award, won the 2009 AL Silver Slugger and the AL Gold Glove award, and won the 2010 AL Silver Slugger award. As far as his postseason play it isn't all that great batting .195, hit 7 home runs and drove in 15 RBI's, I mean it's not bad but it could be better.



3. New York Mets - David Wright

David Wright was drafted as a Met and came up with the Mets and has been the face of this team since 2004 and is one the oldest players on this team at a pretty young age being 28 years old. Over the past 2 seasons before 2010 his play was down a bit after being hurt with a knee problem, but when this guy is healthy he is the most feared hitter in the NL. He has helped the Mets win a division title in 2006 but he has been part of the two biggest collapses in their team history in 2007 and 2008 where they would lose the division title by 1 game in 2007 and 3 games in 2008 to the Philadelphia Phillies. Other than that he has been money for the Mets when needed and is one the best fielders in the game beside Scott Rolen. In 2010 Wright came back strong and ready to show that is was 100% after batting .283, hit 29 home runs, and drove in 103 RBI's. Also in his only postseason appearances he batted .216, hit 1 home, and drove in 6 RBI's. In his career he has won the 2007 NL Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards and won the 2008 NL Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.



4. Washington Nationals - Ryan Zimmerman

Now many people might think Zimmerman should be higher on the list and the only reason he isn't higher on this list is because he is still very young at 26 years old. I know it sounds like a bad reason but when look at the three other players before him they are more deserving. Now I am not saying he isn't a bad player because I think someday day he will be the best third baseman in baseball and he is in the prime of his career. He has been the Nationals best players ever since he was brought up in 2005 and everyone knew he was going to be an impact player. Now the team he plays on isn't the best but be sure in the next 4 to 5 years they could wind up winning a division title if not sooner. Zimmerman is a star fielder and has great bat speed, not only can he hit home runs but he can hit doubles and triples and as a power hitter you will take that every time. Right now he might even be one the best third baseman in the National League right behind David Wright. In 2010 Zimmerman hit .307, hit 25 home runs, and drove in 85 RBI's and in the prime of his career he has won the 2009 NL Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards and won the 2010 NL Silver Slugger award.



5. Texas Rangers - Michael Young

Now Young in my option is one of the most underrated third baseman in the league, everyone forgets about this guy but he is the real deal. Now they’re has been some question if he will start at third base in 2011 after the Rangers signed free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre, Young asked to be traded, I would assume because he does not want to be a DH after being the key player at third base all those years and finally help this ball club win a AL West Division title since 1999 and making it to their first ever World Series. If the Rangers lose Young they will be losing a leader in the club house and guy who has been their best hitter. As a Ranger he has had the most hits on the teams franchise with 1,848 hits. Not only is he a good hitter but he is pretty good fielder and I think he should have more than one gold glove award and should have at least two Silver Slugger awards with having a career batting average of .300 with a last place team until 2010. In Young's career he has won the 2006 MVP All-Star award and has won the 2008 AL Gold Glove award. The 2010 season wasn't a bad season for Young after batting .284, hit 24 home runs, and drove in 91 RBI's, also in his first ever postseason he showed up and help the Rangers make it to the World Series batting .254, hit 1 home run and drove in 7 RBI's.




Players Who Just Missed The List

6. Boston Red Sox - Kevin Youkilis 2010 - BA .307, 19 home runs, and 62 RBI's
7. Cincinnati Reds - Scott Rolen 2010 - BA .285, 20 home runs, and 83 RBI's
8. Minnesota Twins - Danny Valencia 2010 - BA .311, 7 home runs and 40 RBI's (Rookie)
9. Milwaukee Brewers - Casey McGehee 2010 - BA .285, 23 home runs, and 104 RBI's
10. Philadelphia Phillies - Placido Polanco 2010 - BA .298, 6 home runs, and 52 RBI's.

No comments:

Post a Comment