MLB Top Ten Third Base Prospects For 2017
4. Hunter Dozier, Kansas City Royals
Seemingly continuing a theme after Arroyo, Dozier was also a surprising pick in the first round at #8 overall. While Dozier was considered a possible first round talent, he was not figured as a top-10 talent in the 2013 draft, however the Royals intended to use his selection to help them sign a later pick, which became pitcher Sean Manaea.
As a college pick, Dozier was expected to move quickly through the system, and he did move quickly to AA, spending half of the season there in 2014, his first full season.
However, Dozier stalled at AA, struggling in his first exposure in 2014 and also in a full season there in 2015.
In 2016, Dozier returned to AA to start the season, and he absolutely raked, slugging .642 to earn a promotion to AAA Omaha. All he did after his promotion was play well enough to be given the Omaha player of the year award.
After that excellent minor league season, Dozier made hiw way to the major leagues for a September call-up, and while he didn’t exactly set the world on fire in that time, he showed that he was ready to be in a major league clubhouse, getting good marks from Royals people about how he handled a pennant race with the Royals fighting for a wild card.
Dozier has been played some in the outfield simply due to the presence of Mike Moustakas at third for the Royals currently, though Moustakas is a free agent after the 2017 season, so there could be an opening at the position if the Royals are unable to resign Moustakas.
3. Nick Senzel, Cincinnati Reds
Senzel was the #2 draft pick in the 2016 draft after an impressive season at Tennessee.
He was considered either the top or 2nd-best available college bat in the 2016 draft, and his previous ability at second base in college led to trust that any concerns about his third base defense would be smoothed quickly due to his athleticism.
Senzel’s swing is such that he really looks to be more of a heavy doubles, 15-25 home run sort of guy, and the Reds aggressively moved his bat in 2016 to low-A Dayton, though he showed no issue with handling the quick jump.
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Senzel put up a .305/.398/.514 line on the 2016 minor league season with 24 doubles, 3 triples, and 7 home runs. He also stole 18 bases and posted a 13.01% walk rate and 18.49% strikeout rate.
His bat is certainly advanced, and there is every reason to think he could advance quickly to the minor leagues. His offensive skill set reminds me of another former college 3B, Anthony Rendon, who has become a solid hitter at the major league level, with a career slash line of .274/.345/.433 with a per-162 game average of 39 doubles and 18 home runs.
However, one name that was floated to me this fall when I was calling around about Reds prospects and talking about Senzel was Alex Gordon. Gordon was a guy who had all sorts of hype out of college, put together an incredible season in AA his first year out of college, and he was in the majors his second year after college, but he struggled to establish himself until moving to the outfield, and he’s never quite been the superstar that many thought he would become.
Senzel should end up in the high minors in 2017, though he may open the season in high-A with a quick look toward AA once he shows well in high-A.
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