2010s MLB All-Underrated Team
Third Base: Kyle Seager
Stats for the decade: .256/.324/.443, 198 HRs, 666 RBIs, 30.7 WAR
The hot corner was a hotbed for superstar talent throughout the 2010s. From seasoned vets like Adrian Beltre, Josh Donaldson, and Evan Longoria, to bright young stars like Alex Bregman, Nolan Arenado, and Matt Chapman, third base was arguably the best position of the decade. Thus, if you are on a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2001, it is easy to get lost in the weeds.
That would be the case for Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager. Seager began his career in 2011 and has quietly been one of the most consistently productive third basemen in the entire league. Since his first full season in 2012, he has never hit below 20 home runs in a season and averages a wRC+ of 112.
He is also a stellar defender. He posted a total UZR of 31.1 thus far in his career, which is well above average. He won a gold glove in 2014, and probably would have won more if he didn’t share a league with Beltre and Longoria.
Much like the other names on this list, he has been incredibly durable as well. Besides this past year, he has played in at least 154 games in each of his full seasons in the league. His 1261 total games trails only Longoria and Mark Reynolds since 2010.
Despite his durability and offensive productivity, Seager remains relatively unknown to the casual baseball fan. He only made one All-Star appearance in 2014, but probably deserves more recognition. It is tough when his younger brother Corey garners all the attention as the shortstop of the Los Angeles Dodgers, even though Kyle has been in the league much longer.
Kyle Seager remains one of the most underrated players of the decade, and he seems to embrace this role (his player’s weekend nickname was “Corey’s Brother”). Hopefully, he can continue his excellence in the 2020s, and hopefully, the Mariners can finally break their 18-year playoff drought and give Seager the recognition he deserves.