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MLB power rankings: Best player on each team

By Brad Berreman

Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) watches the game between the Rangers and the Cleveland Indians at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Beltre starts season on DL. The Indians defeat the Rangers 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) watches the game between the Rangers and the Cleveland Indians at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Beltre starts season on DL. The Indians defeat the Rangers 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers: 3B Adrian Beltre

Beltre has yet to make his 2017 debut due to a right calf injury, but once he’s back in the Rangers’ lineup he will resume his pursuit of 3,000 career hits (2,942 right now). Barring any lingering effects of his injury, Beltre should reach that magic number pretty easily before the season ends. At 38 years old, but with two years left on his contract (including this year), he also has some chance to reach 500 career home runs (445 right now).

Beltre was still fairly productive in 2014 and 2015, with 19 and 18 home runs, but 2016 brought a resurgence with 32 home runs and 104 RBI. If that’s not enough, he also won the fifth Gold Glove of his career and the third such award he has earned since 2011 (his age-32 season).

Beltre’s Hall of Fame case is a tough debate, since there are some milestones ahead of him to reach to further bolster his resume for Cooperstown. Despite a long track record of good production, after underachieving at the start of his career with the Dodgers, Beltre is just a four-time All-Star (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014).

As expected, advanced numbers tend to like Beltre a lot. Baseball Reference’s version of WAR (Wins Above Replacement) ranks him fifth among position players since Opening Day 2013, and his advanced defensive metrics have defied the great decline that can come in that area with age.

The Rangers have a few younger guys, like Rougned Odor, Elvis Andrus and Nomar Mazara, that have a chance to become their best player. But Beltre is that man right now.

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