Future Cards of 2011 > Third Base

Strat-O-Matic released their defensive ratings last week.  You can find them on their website.  So, I will no longer post my guesses.

Third base has been a weak position for a number of years, but that is going to change.  Only Taylor Green doesn’t look to have a chance for a full-time job.

Lonnie Chisenhall 3B CLE Bats: L Throws: R Age: 23 Draft: 2008-1(29)
Stats  AB   H 2B 3B HR  BB HB IB  SO SH SF  AVE  SLG  OBP   OPS  G:F BABIP
vs LH  50  13  2  0  5   2  0  0  14  0  0 .260 .600 .288  .888  3.6  .258
vs RH 162  41 11  0  2   6  1  1  35  1  1 .253 .358 .282  .640  0.9  .309
Total 212  54 13  0  7   8  1  1  49  1  1 .255 .415 .284  .699  1.2  .299
Grade: P77-3B

The Indians called up Lonnie Chisenhall to take over at third base and he was acceptable.  He has a solid left-handed bat with 20 home run power.  He isn’t a stud defender, but no one questions that he is a third baseman.  He’ll probably sit against good left-handed pitching.  He is a solid, everyday third baseman, but not a star.

Matt Dominguez 3B FLA Bats: R Throws: R Age: 22 Draft: 2007-1(12) 
Stats  AB   H 2B 3B HR  BB HB IB  SO SH SF  AVE  SLG  OBP   OPS  G:F BABIP
vs LH  18   7  3  0  0   0  0  0   3  0  0 .389 .556 .389  .944  3.0  .466
vs RH  27   4  1  0  0   2  1  0   5  0  0 .148 .185 .233  .419  1.3  .181
Total  45  11  4  0  0   2  1  0   8  0  0 .244 .333 .292  .625  1.7  .297
Grade: P67-3B

If you are looking for a solid defensive third baseman, then you are looking for Matt Dominguez.  Unfortunately, hitting just isn’t his forte.  The Marlins believe he will hit, but many other scouts feel differently.  For you, he is a defensive backup like Jack Hannahan where you’d be happy with .250/10.

Taylor Green 3B MIL Bats: L Throws: R Age: 25 Draft: 2005-25(745)
Stats  AB   H 2B 3B HR  BB HB IB  SO SH SF  AVE  SLG  OBP   OPS  G:F BABIP
vs LH  No At-Bats
vs RH  37  10  3  0  0   0  0  0   6  0  0 .270 .351 .270  .622  1.8  .322
Total  37  10  3  0  0   0  0  0   6  0  0 .270 .351 .270  .622  1.8  .322
Grade: P66-3B

A broken wrist sapped the power and the prospect status from Taylor Green, but his excellent work ethic has given him a second chance.  He crushed Triple-A pitching, hitting .336 with 22 home runs.  With the signing of Aramis Ramirez he is no longer looked at as a potential starting third baseman, but with the trade of Casey McGehee means that a backup third baseman is needed.

Brett Lawrie 3B TOR Bats: R Throws: R Age: 20 Draft: 2008-1(16)
Stats  AB   H 2B 3B HR  BB HB IB  SO SH SF  AVE  SLG  OBP   OPS  G:F BABIP
vs LH  44  13  3  0  1   4  0  1  10  1  0 .295 .432 .354  .786  0.7  .363
vs RH 106  31  5  4  8  12  3  0  21  1  0 .292 .642 .380 1.022  1.3  .298
Total 150  44  8  4  9  16  3  1  31  2  0 .293 .580 .373  .953  0.8  .318
Grade: B88-3B

Prior to 2010, there were two negatives for Brett Lawrie.  His was without a position and didn’t have great power.  He answered both of those questions in 2011.  Lawrie has taken to third base and looks to be a solid defender.  Power?  He his .353 with 18 home runs in Triple-A and followed up with a .293 with nine home runs in 150 at-bats.  He looks to be a solid first-round pick.

Alex Liddi 3B SEA Bats: R Throws: R Age: 23 Draft: NDFA 2006
Stats  AB   H 2B 3B HR  BB HB IB  SO SH SF  AVE   SLG  OBP   OPS G:F BABIP
vs LH  14   6  2  0  2   3  0  0   4  0  0 .429 1.000 .529 1.529 1.0  .500
vs RH  26   3  1  0  1   0  1  0  13  0  0 .115  .269 .148  .417 2.0  .166
Total  40   9  3  0  3   3  1  0  17  0  0 .225  .525 .295  .820 1.8  .300
Grade: P67-3B

Liddi is the first Italian national to play in the Major Leagues.  He has the body and bat speed, but lacks the experience.  He hit 30 home runs in Triple-A as a 22 year-old, but also struck out 170 times.  He is a stash away player, because it will take him a couple of years.

Mike Moustakas 3B KC Bats: L Throws: R Age: 23 Draft: 2007-1(2)
Stats  AB   H 2B 3B HR  BB HB IB  SO SH SF  AVE  SLG  OBP   OPS  G:F BABIP
vs LH  89  17  4  0  0   7  1  0  15  1  0 .191 .236 .258  .494  2.5  .229
vs RH 249  72 14  1  5  15  0  0  36  1  2 .289 .414 .327  .741  0.8  .319
Total 338  89 18  1  5  22  1  0  51  2  2 .263 .367 .309  .675  1.2  .295
Grade: P77-3B

The second overall pick in 2007, Mike Moustakas has had an up-and-down trip through the minor leagues.  He crushed Double-A pitching as a 21 year-old in 2010, but 2011 was more in line with previous years.  He is a below average defender, so third may not be his home forever.  He has a power bat once he figures it out even if it is at first or DH.

Jimmy Paredes 3B HOU Bats: S Throws: R Age: 22 Draft: NDFA 2008
Stats  AB   H 2B 3B HR  BB HB IB  SO SH SF  AVE  SLG  OBP   OPS   G:F BABIP
vs LH  37   8  1  0  0   2  0  0   9  0  0 .216 .243 .256  .500   5.7  .285
vs RH 131  40  7  2  2   7  0  0  38  1  1 .305 .435 .338  .773   1.7  .413
Total 168  48  8  2  2   9  0  0  47  1  1 .286 .393 .320  .713   1.8  .383
Grade: P76-3B

The Astros have said that Paredes is the starting third baseman for 2012.  He is a young, athletic and fast for a third baseman.  That probably doesn’t make up for his lack of power.  He’s one of those players that has more value in fantasy baseball where the stolen bases really mean something.

Name              Tm  B T AG Draft        Grade
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Brett Lawrie      TOR R R 20 2008-1(16)   B88-3B
Mike Moustakas    KCR L R 23 2007-1(2)    P77-3B
Lonnie Chisenhall CLE L R 23 2008-1(29)   P77-3B
Matt Dominguez    FLA R R 22 2007-1(12)   P67-3B
Alex Liddi        SEA R R 23 NDFA 2006    P67-3B
Jimmy Paredes     HOU S R 22 NDFA 2008    P76-3B
Taylor Green      MIL L R 25 2005-25(745) P66-3B
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