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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Sep 15, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (3) rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays

It just goes to show how much depth there is at third base in the league right now that a fringe Hall of Famer like Evan Longoria is ranked just seventh in the league. Through nine professional seasons, the three-time All-Star’s career is on a trajectory pointed towards Cooperstown. Continuing to stay healthy for the second half of his career will determine where Longoria will stack up against the greats.

In 2016, Longoria had one of the best seasons of his career, reversing a downward trend. Getting fully healthy, along with an uptick in power production from the rest of the Rays roster was a big boost for Longoria. He hit a career-high 36 home runs with 41 doubles, very near his career-high of 46 from 2010. As he enters his age-31 season, Longoria should have several more years of peak production.

If there is one area where Longoria has shown real decline, it is on the defensive side. His range has taken a hit from his Gold Glove days. He has finished with a negative dWAR in three of the past five years. Even with diminshed range, Longoria continues to make all the expected plays — the highlight-reel defense of years past, however, is gone. The Rays cannot commit to moving Longoria to DH on a permanent basis this season, but he should see more time there in the coming years.

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