Toronto Blue Jays Josh Donaldson: Top Third Baseman in 2016
By Bill Pivetz
The Toronto Blue Jays had arguably the best power-hitting offense in all of baseball in 2015. They led the league in runs, home runs, RBI, and slugging percentage. While part of the offense was carried by two long-time Jays, the extra boost came from newly acquired third baseman Josh Donaldson. While it may seem obvious, he is my No. 1 third baseman heading into 2016.
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Donaldson made a brief appearance in the majors for the Oakland Athletics in 2010, playing in 14 games. He didn’t appear again until 2012 when he transitioned from catcher to third base. That year, he played in just 75 games. It wasn’t until the following season that we got to see what Josh Donaldson was all about.
He hit 24 home runs, 93 RBI and a .301 batting average in 2013 and hit 29/98/.255 last season. However, a move to the East Coast unleashed a dimension of Josh Donaldson.
In his first year with the Blue Jays, scored 122 runs (first), hit 41 home runs (T-fifth) and 123 RBI (second) with a .297/.371/.568 line. Those amazing numbers landed him eighth overall and first among third basemen on the Player Rater.
As a team, the Jays scored 891 runs, hit 232 home runs and 852 RBI with a .269 average (second), .340 OBP (first) and .457 slugging. It helps when three of your best hitters (Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion) combine for 120 home runs and 348 RBI.
Josh Donaldson’s and the team’s numbers led to Josh winning the American League Most Valuable Player award. All of this success came in his first year in Toronto. I’m afraid of what he’s going to do for years to come, especially if he keeps hitting in front of Bautista and Encarnacion.
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The third base position is, I think, the deepest of them all. Five of them finished in the top 50 on the Player Rater, and another two were in the top 100. There is some great competition for the top spot. Manny Machado finally gave fantasy owners the season they were looking for. Nolan Arenado had his breakout season. And there is the NL Rookie of the Year, Kris Bryant.
If you’re going to draft a third baseman early, why not make it MVP Josh Donaldson?
Projections: 120 runs, 186 hits, 40 home runs, 121 RBI, .295 batting average
Draft: Round 1