I Hated Shop Class: Third Base Ranks

Much like last week, I’m going with a tiers ranking sheet in the article, then the ranks will be on the bottom.

I will once again be trying to predict what WILL happen, not simply regurgitate rankings from a player rater.  I also try to not be influenced by recent events, which is why I’m doing rankings much less often.  Any the hoo, here we go.

Valedictorians

Rafael Devers, Jose Ramirez, Manny Machado:  I think these three are the clear top choices for the rest of the season.  A slight adjustment to Ramirez as it seems his lineup is not supporting him well, and he’s also at an age where he should start slowing down.  Steals in particular are what made him special, and he’s lagging in that category.

All A Honor Roll:

Austin Riley, Yandy Diaz:  Riley gets a bump down but I still see him as a buy low.  Yandy gets a bump up here into the second tier.  I don’t know what’s going on with Riley this year.  Nothing stands out as terrible on his Savant page.  I think the results will be much closer to the last two seasons and we’re in for a big second half.  Then he can be a fourth valedictorian, which means it’s a really big school or hyper competitive.

A/B Honor Roll:

Josh Jung, Nolan Arenado, Matt Chapman, Gunnar Henderson:  All of these guys are going to be steady producers.  Gunnar particularly strikes my interest as he’s been on fire lately and hitting leadoff even at times.  Goes to my theory to always bet on prospect pedigree even if a guy is struggling.  If someone let him go, get Gunnar now.  All star level capabilities if you need a third baseman.

Elly De La Cruz has been mentioned everywhere coming up, so I’ll not bore you with my take.  He seems like a good fit for this tier.

B Gets You Out of Being Grounded:

Christopher Morel, Max Muncy, Spencer Steer, Alex Bregman, Ryan McMahon: Let’s talk some Morel.  If you told me a guy would come up, reduce his K rate below 30%, hit with an over .700 slug in 125 times to bat, and have a massive AAA month before it.  I’m gonna call it.  I have him as legit for the season, and every bit the prospect that Elly De La Cruz is.  Massive upside.

Bobby Witt Jr. is not a good baseball hitter right now.    He’s like the smart kid who found drugs and just doesn’t do things quite right.  Maybe it will click, using my prospect pedigree idea.  Come to think of it, I’m being horribly inconsistent not buying into this guy.  He is underperforming his metrics and makes solid contact.  If the walk rate goes up I would jump in quickly.  Until then I’m out and I’m glad I faded him this preseason.

I put Jordan Walker in here because I’m contractually obligated by Razzball to pump up his value every chance I can possibly get even if I’m kinda out on him.

Shop Class Superheroes

Everyone is talented in something.

Before I get into this tier, I love people who are good in the tech ed classes.  They’re our future mechanics, plumbers, electricians, HVAC, and all kinds of jobs that we need and don’t appreciate the specific technical knowledge to do.  I am the guy in middle school who sewed my sweatshirt sleeve inside out, soldered my security alarm so badly that the circuits melted, and started a fire while trying to bake cookies.  It’s been clear for a while that my skills are elsewhere.  I love people who are good at stuff I suck at.

But this tier, this is a group of players who are good at like one thing, but you have to carry them elsewhere in other categories.

Ke’Bryan Hayes:  SB

Eugenio Suarez:  dingers

Alec Bohm:  theoretical batting average but not so far

Justin Turner:  average

They can work as later starters, which of course aren’t nearly as important as the tech ed heroes who help us all out.

Nameless People in the Yearbook

Again, not that these guys aren’t important and great people, but there’s always people you just don’t even remember coming to your school.  There’s one girl that swears she graduated the same year as me, goes to reunions and everything, all the right social media groups.  I just don’t remember ever being around this person at all.  She apparently went to the same gatherings as me and everything.  No recollection.

That’s what this tier reminds me of.  You have them but there just filling spots for your roster. DJ LeMahieu, J.D. Davis (my favorite of this group in case he keeps overperforming), Brett Baty, Anthony Rendon

Thanks for reading, and again feel free to argue in the comments or on Tweeter.com @theEducator23.

Ranks Below: