Kyle Seager: Top 5 Third Baseman for 2016
By Bill Pivetz
The Seattle Mariners had one of the best power-hitting offenses in 2015. The team made a trade on Nov. 6, receiving a starting pitcher and a outfield prospect. While they gave up two solid pieces in the infield, the Mariners have an anchor at third base. With another successful season, Kyle Seager is among my top-five third basemen.
Seager entered the league in 2011, and played half of a season. In his last three seasons, he averages 158 games played. He hit 67 home runs and 251 RBI with a .262 average.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle
This season, Kyle Seager reached career highs in runs, hits, doubles and home runs. He had 166 hits, 26 home runs and 74 RBI with a .266 average. He also scored 85 runs and hit 37 doubles. Seager made improvements at the plate, keeping the same walk rate while dropping his strikeout percentage by 3.7 percent.
Hitting behind Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz in the first-half of the season and then ahead of them in the second half provided Seager with a lot of opportunities to get hits, score and drive in runs.
Kyle Seager finished eighth among third basemen and 99th overall on the Player Rater. Of the seven third basemen that finished ahead of him, one of them (Chris Davis) is primarily a first baseman but also eligible at third and another (Manny Machado) will most likely be playing shortstop next season. This would put Seager at sixth on the Player Rater. Of the others, I can see him being drafted ahead of Machado for consistency reasons, but he should also go ahead of veteran Adrian Beltre.
Kyle Seager was the 63rd player drafted in ESPN leagues this season, taken in the seventh round (65.5 ADP). With a little movement of some players, I see Seager moving up to Round 6. He has the potential for a 30-100 season, but 25-90 is more likely.
Projections: 163 hits, 26 home runs, 81 RBI, .265 average
Draft: Round 6