MLB power rankings: Top 10 third basemen of 2017

Jun 6, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado (13) dives for a ground ball in the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Baltimore Orioles won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) connects for a single in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs in game five of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Justin Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers

From unwanted and non-tendered by the New York Mets to earning MVP votes and a $64-million contract, Justin Turner has had one of the most unlikely rises to stardom in the league. The Mets cut Turner loose after the 2013 season. At that time, he had played in only 318 games in five seasons in the big leagues, with very underwhelming results. The Dodgers took a flier on him with a minor-league deal and an invite to Spring Training, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Prior to joining the Dodgers, Turner had a tiny .361 slugging percentage for his career, barely higher than his on-base percentage. In three years in Los Angeles, Turner has blossomed into a middle-of-the-order hitter with a .296/.364/.492 line in 386 games. He hit a career-high 27 home runs in 2016, giving the Dodgers some desperately-needed power from the right side.

Entering his age-32 season, the four-year deal Turner signed may be a bit of a stretch. His OPS has actually dropped by roughly 30 points in each of the past three years. The drops have come as Turner’s batting average and OBP take a hit. The third baseman has generally been able to maintain his high contact rate with increased power, but has not done much to boost his walk numbers. Turner does exhibit reverse splits as a hitter, but that may be due in part to the rest of his team’s monumental struggles against left-handed pitching. Those deficiencies have not exactly been addressed this winter, so Turner may continue to lack protection in the lineup against southpaws.

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