Matt Linder
The electrical current grouping of start basemen is extremely deep amongst high-end talent; narrowing the listing downwardly to 10 names was non easy. Some players inward this ranking equally looking to alternative upwards correct where they left off inward 2017, land others are hoping for a rebound season. Enjoy!
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| Paul Bereswill - Getty Images |
1. Joey Votto
In a loaded crop of start basemen, Votto gets my exceed spot. He led the league inward on-base percent (.454) in addition to all start basemen inward both WAR (7.5) in addition to OPS (1.032). Additionally, Votto improved his defence terminal season, compiling eleven Defensive Runs Saved, compared to -14 DRS inward 2016. His total parcel of getting on base, hitting for both ability in addition to average in addition to playing rigid defence makes him the best start baseman for the 2018 season.
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| Rick Scuteri - AP |
2. Paul Goldschmidt
Goldschmidt earned a trip to his 5th direct All-Star game inward 2017 in addition to at that topographic point are no signs of a boring down. He finished minute inward both WAR (5.8) in addition to OBP (.404) in addition to 3rd inward OPS (.966) amidst all start basemen. Goldy is too a savvy base of operations stealer, swiping 71 bags over the past times 3 seasons. Finally, his rigid defence makes him a consummate player. Do non travel surprised if Goldschmidt adds an MVP to his resume inward 2018.
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| Brian Kersey - Getty Images |
3. Anthony Rizzo
Although Rizzo’s numbers mightiness accept slipped ever-so-slightly terminal season, he even then slashed .273/.392/.507 amongst 32 habitation runs inward 2017. His defence is consistently strong, equally is his base-running. The 28-year onetime has an fantabulous rail tape in addition to I await but about other star-level flavour inward 2018.
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| Curtis Compton - AJC |
4. Freddie Freeman
Freeman is the terminal fellow member of what is essentially a four-way necktie atop the start basemen rankings. Despite entirely playing inward 117 games terminal flavour due to a broken wrist, he even then finished 4th inward WAR (4.4) amidst his positional peers. The 28-year onetime slashed an impressive .307/.403/.586 amongst 28 habitation runs inward 2017. H5N1 full-season of a salubrious Freeman is a nightmare for NL pitchers.
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| Denis Poroy - Getty Images |
5. Cody Bellinger
Bellinger is the breakout star of the list. In 2017, he earned Rookie of the Year honors in addition to a top-10 MVP finish. The 22-year onetime led MLB start basemen amongst 39 habitation runs in addition to finished 6th inward WAR (4.0). Bellinger is a stellar defensive start basemen in addition to his athleticism allows him to play left champaign when needed.
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| Jon Durr - Getty Images |
6. Jose Abreu
Coming off a downwardly twelvemonth inward the ability division inward 2016, Abreu regained his shape terminal season. The White Sox’s slugger led the AL inward total bases (343) land hitting .304/.354/.552. Thanks to this elite production, Abreu ranked 3rd at his seat inward WAR (4.7) terminal year. He is the leader of a young, up-and-coming White Sox team, in addition to I anticipate but about other rigid flavour inward 2018.
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| Jason Miller - Getty Images |
7. Edwin Encarnacion
Since I am non putting together a exceed 10 ranking for DHs, Encarnacion slots inward at start base. He is 1 of the close consistent hitters inward the league. The 35-year onetime has averaged 38.5 habitation runs over the past times 6 seasons. He couples that elite ability amongst rattling adept plate discipline… a lethal combination for opposing pitchers. His bat to a greater extent than than makes upwards for the lack of value inward the champaign in addition to on the bases.
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| K.C. Alfred - San Diego Union-Tribune |
8. Eric Hosmer
As 1 of the biggest names inward the gratuitous agent shape this off-season, Hosmer signed an 8 year, $144M bargain amongst the Padres. He does non possess prototypical start baseman power, entirely hitting 25 habitation runs inward each of the past times 2 seasons. However, the lack of elite habitation run pop is balanced past times rigid on base of operations (.385 OBP terminal season) in addition to contact skills. Additionally, Hosmer plays superb defense. He ranked 7th amidst start basemen amongst a 7.0 WAR inward 2017. I await his start twelvemonth inward San Diego to alternative upwards correct where he left off amongst the Royals.
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| Jonathan Daniel - Getty Images |
9. Miguel Cabrera
Putting Cabrera inward the exceed 10 was the determination I struggled amongst most. He is an all-time great, but his production dropped off considerably terminal season. Miggy entirely played inward 130 games in addition to was probable banged upwards inward many of those games. Being 34 years old, terminal flavour may accept been a sign of to a greater extent than struggles, but I am betting on a rebound season. Cabrera is entirely 1 twelvemonth removed from hitting .316/.393/.563 amongst 38 habitation runs inward 158 games. I may plow out to travel wrong, but I am non going to bet against the futurity Hall-of-Famer.
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| H. Darr Beiser - USA TODAY Sports |
10. Brandon Belt
Belt squeaks into the exceed 10 listing afterwards a downwardly flavour inward 2017. I am betting that the Giants’ start baseman tin find his 2016 production, when he slashed .275/.394/.474 in addition to ranked 5th amidst his positional peers amongst a 4.0 WAR. Belt is a rigid defender, but if he cannot rebound offensively, putting him inward this ranking volition aspect quite stupid.
Also Considered:
Carlos Santana - Phillies
Ryan Zimmerman - Nationals
Justin Bour - Marlins
Yuli Gurriel - Astros
Justin Smoak – Blue Jays
Joe Mauer - Twins
**All WAR stats come upwards from Baseball Reference
Please cheque dorsum inward tomorrow for my exceed 10 minute basemen.
If yous accept whatever questions, comments or criticisms experience gratuitous to accomplish out to me at mattlinder2@gmail.com
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