This is another extremely close competition between two very good young players both offensively and defensively. Bryant may lose some votes because of how little he has played third base this season compared to last, but that’s still his main position. If we disregard defensive ability, which is very hard to compare with numbers, and assume that Bryant and Arenado are about even defensively it makes the comparison much easier. They are both very impressive hitters, and their hitting is what makes them shine to fans.
Kris Bryant doesn’t understand what a sophomore slump is. He’s hitting .265/.357/.520 with 18 home runs and a wRC+ of 133. His average is a little lower than one would like from a star player, but he makes up for it with his power. His strikeout rate is also down from last season, which has led to the second year player blossoming in 2016.
Nolan Arenado has a year on Bryant in the league, but it surely doesn’t seem like it. Arenado is hitting .296/.376/.585 with 21 home runs and a wRC+ of 136. Those numbers are slightly better than Bryant’s numbers but the two are very close.
If hitting is the only facet considered, Arenado should probably get the vote. You cannot go wrong voting for either of the two, but just as with Zobrist the defensive flexibility that Bryant provides is a valuable asset for an MLB All-Star team. If you’re looking to vote for the best third basemen, Arenado should get the vote. If you’re looking for the best fit on an All-Star team, Bryant should get the vote. It’s safe to say, however, that both of these young stars will be on the National League All-Star team.
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