Major League Baseball

Texas Rangers 2017 Positional Breakdown: Third Base

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:06 p.m. ET

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Fansided, Connelly Bock/FanSided via Nolan Writin'

Future Hall Of Famer and ageless wonder, Adrian Beltre leads the charge at third base. With promising power hitter, Joey Gallo waiting in the wings the Rangers are set at third now and for the future.

Is the MLB in a golden-age of third-basemen? 25 year-old Kris Bryant is coming off a World Series championship and an MVP winning season in 2016.

Nolan Arenado led the National League in home runs and RBI for a 2nd consecutive season. Josh Donaldson finished top-5 in MVP voting for the 3rd time in the past four years. Manny Machado continued to prove he’s on of the best young players the game has ever seen.

In total, there were 10 third basemen who produced over 4 WAR last season. With so many superstars and budding superstars at the position the Texas Rangers have a future Hall Of Famer and one of the most promising power hitters.

May 31, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) hits a home run during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Beltre

Father time is undefeated, right? Unless Adrian Beltre proves otherwise I’m convinced he can play until he’s 90. At the ripe young age of 37, Beltre had one of the best years in his Hall of Fame career.

His 6.1 WAR in 2016 was his highest since 2012 and the 4th highest of his 18-year career. After failing to hit 20 home runs in both 2014 and 2015, Beltre slugged 32 home runs in 2016. He’s only 55 home runs away from 500 and given his powerful 2016 season, he has a legitimate chance.

Beltre only struck out 66 times in 640 plate appearances, the 6th lowest in all of baseball and lowest among players with at least 620 plate appearances. Beltre has driven in more runs than he has struck out every year since becoming a Ranger in 2011.

Barring injury, Beltre should reach the 3,000 hit milestone this season. Only needing 58 more hits, milestone watch will be in full effect come May. Beltre also only need 6.2 WAR to move to 2nd-place in the all-time WAR leader board for third basemen.

Beltre will be regarded as one of the best defensive third basemen of all time when he finally decides to hang it up. Winning his fifth Gold Glove of his career and his second as a Ranger, Beltre continues to amaze at the hot corner.

It could be a historic 2017 season for Beltre. After agreeing to a two-year extension in April last year, Rangers fans will have the pleasure of watching Beltre until at least 2019.

Mar 11, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Joey Gallo (13) in the first inning during a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Joey Gallo

Will 2017 finally be the season that Joey Gallo puts it together? His 80-grade power has never been in question. His ability to make contact? Well, that’s another story. An improved approach at the plate would do wonders for the development of Joey Gallo.

With Adrian Beltre holding down the fort at third base, Gallo will have to find another way into the everyday lineup. Depending on what the Rangers decide to do with recently signed first baseman Mike Napoli, Gallo could spend 2017 at first or the DH.

Given Gallo’s potential to be a plus defender, his rocket arm, and Napoli’s completely abysmal defense, he would be better utilized at first. But if Beltre is struck by the injury bug (knock on wood) Gallo would fill in at third.

His brief stint in the Major Leagues last season was ugly. However, he did show some improvements in Triple-A. His 34.6 K% was an improvement over his 39.5 K% in 2015.

If Gallo can improve on his discipline and fix the hole in his swing, he could be a key piece in 2017 and beyond. Gallo will play elsewhere on the field this upcoming season but it won’t be long until we see him at third base full time.

Josh Morgan

Joey Gallo isn’t the only young and promising third baseman in the system. Josh Morgan is ranked as the Rangers number 12 prospect heading into 2017 according to MLB Pipelne.

Making his professional debut in 2014, Morgan was originally drafted as a shortstop. The Rangers always seem to be rich with middle infield talent. Due to their prosperity at short, Morgan was moved to third base full time last year.

More from Nolan Writin'

As a 21-year-old Morgan has an approach at the plate that is well beyond his years. Morgan only struck out 61 times in 533 plate appearances and drew 44 walks. He can hit for average, posting a .300 AVG last season. If he continues to show a great approach at the plate the power numbers will come.

Third base may be the permanent solution for Morgan. While he has the arm strength and athleticism to play short, his lack of range may be better suited at third.

Given Gallo’s inability to make contact and Morgan’s success in the minor leagues the Rangers may have a tough choice when Beltre retires. If Morgan continues to develop and keeps his advanced approach at the plate, he could have a chance to win a spot at third base in the future.

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