Baseball Teams with Third Base Dual Threats
Betting MLB
Major League Baseball springs in to action in early April with all teams looking for a solution to a perceived weakness. It it pitching, bullpen, lack of power, player performance, fielding and other unforeseen problems like replacements due to injuries.
Some teams have the luxury of a star player locked in his position and ready to produce a winning attitude with his stellar hitting, fielding and leadership.
This group of third base stars have established their reputation in just a few short years.
Nolan Arenado, of the Colorado Rockies, continues to push the limits of power and defense. He is usually the league leader in home runs with 41 last year and 133 runs batted in. Incredible numbers and his fourth Gold Glove to propel his status as a top third base player.
Kris Bryant, of the Chicago Cubs, is a big part of the great third base players in MLB. He was rookie of the year and last season he was the National League MVP, leading the Cubs to a World Series ring to end the longest drought in Sports. He continues his depth of play with 39 homers, over 100 runs batted in and leading the league in runs scored at 121. More remarkable is his gift for playing multiple positions when needed and playing more than a dual threat role.
A player for the Cubs fans to marvel at and be thankful after too many losing seasons.
Josh Donaldson, of the Toronto Blue Jays, was named 2015 American League MVP and continues his strong play at third base. His amazing overall productivity gives him a WAR rating of 7.0, second best of all players behind Mike Trout. The WAR stat measures many aspects of a player`s value as Donaldson accounted for over 200 runs scored, driving in 99 runs and scoring 122 runs.
Many Machado, of the Baltimore Orioles, is a 23 year old third talent that has it all. A top 10 player in runs scored, hits, doubles, home runs and total bases makes him an all around star that produces in every facet of the game. Beyond his power at the plate is his defensive prowess at the hot corner. The Orioles have one of the top rising stars and a third base dual threat.
Adrian Beltre, of the Texas Rangers, is an ageless star of 38 years old but playing third base as well as the younger stars at that position. Last season he was awarded a Gold Glove for his fifth time. Hitting 30 doubles for the fifth straight year and belting 32 home runs with a 300 batting average for five years in a row makes him a dual threat. If you doubt his Hall of Fame credentials, his stats are remarkable with 9 doubles short of 600 and 58 hits shy of 3000 and top five in runs batted in passing 1500 last season. I think Cooperstown will be calling but his active role playing third base is going strong.
The third base “hot corner” is that unique position from which teams need defense and hitting. There are more right-handed hitters drilling the ball down the hot corner. Turning the double play and charging bunts down the line requires great agility and a strong accurate arm.
The short stop and second base positions are vital for fielding plays but they do not produce power and runs except for a few players. A team cannot depend on the outfield players to drive in the runs without power and extra base hits from third and first base.
Teams that have a dual threat at third base will be contenders and compete for post season.
