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Colorado Rockies: Ranking Nolan Arenado among MLB’s third basemen
No. 2 – Kris Bryant
We are essentially debating preference when ranking athletes that perform at this high of a level. Kris Bryant is a star third basemen, without any doubt. However, this last season, it was clear the Chicago Cubs had a bit of a hangover. It is also worth mentioning that Bryant was coming off a MVP season, and expectations were extremely high. So, let’s take a look and see how he did from an offensive standpoint from his MVP season in 2016 to this last season.
| Year | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 155 | 699 | 603 | 121 | 176 | 35 | 3 | 39 | 102 | 8 | 75 | 154 | .292 | .385 | .554 | .939 | 146 |
| 2017 | 151 | 665 | 549 | 111 | 162 | 38 | 4 | 29 | 73 | 7 | 95 | 128 | .295 | .409 | .537 | .946 | 143 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com
His overall numbers took a bit of dip from a production standpoint in 2017. Knowing this, I think it may be hard for a casual onlooker to see that Kris Bryant got even better as a hitter this last season. Bryant lowered his strikeouts and increased walks, batting average, on-base percentage and on-base plus slugging. He’s becoming more patient and disciplined. He will be a force this season … and we haven’t even seen him put this all together yet.
No. 1 – Nolan Arenado
I am not going to pretend that Nolan Arenado is light years ahead of Kris Bryant. He is not. Their offensive styles are just a little different.
Bryant is clearly more disciplined. Arenado swings a little harder. But Coors. I know, I know. When comparing players who play at Coors Field versus those who don’t, OPS+ is the only stat that matters, right? Well, Baseball-Reference has Bryant beating out Arenado slightly with a 143 OPS+, compared to a 132 OPS+, respectively. Arenado hit for a higher average, more power, and more runs driven in.
| Year | G | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 159 | 100 | 187 | 43 | 7 | 37 | 130 | 3 | 62 | 106 | .309 | .373 | .586 | .959 | 132 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com
I do think we are splitting hairs when comparing the elite, offensive talent of Bryant and Arenado. However, Arenado and Bryant are not even in the same barbershop when compared defensively. That’s where I give the edge to Arenado over Bryant.
Next: Seven bold predictions for the NL West in 2018
In fact, there aren’t many defenders of any position in the MLB that can compare to Nolan Arenado. Last season alone, Arenado had 20 DRS to Bryant’s 1 DRS, according to FanGraphs. He’s won five Gold Gloves and a Platinum Glove during his short career. We may be witnessing a once in a lifetime defensive talent.