Anthony Rendon ranked the #1 Third Baseman by MLB Network heading into the 2021 season

[rafibomb 2,976]

 

 

[rafibomb 2,976]

Yes I know he can't pitch, but like our pitching, 3rd base has been a huge hole for years in our lineup and I'm glad we have someone as elite as him on our team.

 

[Billy_Ball 1,637]

[Second Base 8,760]

Literally anyone 1-8 is pretty interchangeable on this list. But Rendon is probably the best choice at #1.

Bregman probably not because it's looking like losing the advantage the trash can banging has cratered his offensive output from elite to merely solid. 

Jose Ramirez and Nolan Arenado both can make a solid claim too. Ramirez is pretty dynamic with the bat and on the bases, and not bad in the field, before last year Arenado was elite in both bat and glove. I'm sure it'll all return for him, particularly if he's still playing in Colorado. 

But Rendon is probably the surest bet for all of them. The bat is elite, particularly in the OBP department, and his defense is also extremely good, only trailing Chapman in the AL. 

Edited January 28 by Second Base

[Pancake Bear 2,219]

Thanks for the jinx.

Actually, 3B is a tough position to rank. There really isn't a clear cut #1. Any in the top 5 could be ranked 1, and 6-8 aren't far behind. 

[ten ocho recon scout 17,659]

41 minutes ago, rafibomb said:

Yes I know he can't pitch, but like our pitching, 3rd base has been a huge hole for years in our lineup and I'm glad we have someone as elite as him on our team.

 

Good way to put it.

I was so pissed off about losing out on Cole, that when we signed Rendon, I didnt really care. Kind of didnt all year.

But it kind of hit me the other day. He truly is the first good 3B since Figgins. (Glaus for some people). MVP candidate at a spot where good ones arent usually available.... usually locked up before they can hit the market.

Still would have preferred Cole. But looking back, Im glad we jumped on the opportunity when it was there.

[Angelsjunky 10,449]

I'd have to give the edge to Bregman. He struggled with injury in 2020, but it is hard to beat his 7.6 and 8.1 WARs in 2018-19, plus he's four years younger than Rendon. Ramirez seems to have bounced back and could be the best of the bunch. I'd call those the "big three," with a second triad of Chapman, Arenado, and Machado. 

2018-20 fWAR (3B):

1. Bregman 17.1
2. Rendon 15.9
3. Ramirez 15.0
4. Chapman 14.1
5. Arenado 12.7
6. Machado 11.9

No one else is above 10 WAR.

[tdawg87 32,838]

15 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

I'd have to give the edge to Bregman. He struggled with injury in 2020, but it is hard to beat his 7.6 and 8.1 WARs in 2018-19, plus he's four years younger than Rendon. Ramirez seems to have bounced back and could be the best of the bunch. I'd call those the "big three," with a second triad of Chapman, Arenado, and Machado. 

2018-20 fWAR (3B):

1. Bregman 17.1
2. Rendon 15.9
3. Ramirez 15.0
4. Chapman 14.1
5. Arenado 12.7
6. Machado 11.9

No one else is above 10 WAR.

[Make Angels Great Again 2,985]

21 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

I'd have to give the edge to Bregman. He struggled with injury in 2020, but it is hard to beat his 7.6 and 8.1 WARs in 2018-19, plus he's four years younger than Rendon. Ramirez seems to have bounced back and could be the best of the bunch. I'd call those the "big three," with a second triad of Chapman, Arenado, and Machado. 

2018-20 fWAR (3B):

1. Bregman 17.1
2. Rendon 15.9
3. Ramirez 15.0
4. Chapman 14.1
5. Arenado 12.7
6. Machado 11.9

No one else is above 10 WAR.

You can dock Bergman a bit for being a cheating fuck knuckle.

[Pancake Bear 2,219]

Wouldn't give Bregman #1 regardless due to the cheating. It's too close to call and he loses the benefit of the doubt, IMO. 

[True Grich 12,253]

Yay

[Second Base 8,760]

1 hour ago, Make Angels Great Again said:

You can dock Bergman a bit for being a cheating fuck knuckle.

Can I use this? 

[m0nkey 4,500]

Yes!

[rafibomb 2,976]

 

[Bronson 1,159]

Fun fact: All 9 of Rendon’s homers last year were hit at Angel Stadium. Think he likes playing there?