Top 3 Rookie Third Basemen

Get excited: No need for a warning this week, all three of these players could make significant impacts in 2007. With the possiblity of Evan Longoria making it up to the big leagues too, third base will be one of the strongest rookie positions.

Note: A player must have rookie status entering the 2007 season in order to qualify for our lists. We rank players based on their potential and the likelihood they will reach that potential.

1. Alex Gordon, KC: As Denny Foster suggested in his Project Prospect feature on Alex Gordon comparisons, the Royals have a third base prospect who could end up hitting like Mark Teixeira in the big leagues. Gordon ranked fourth in the minors in slugging (.588) and fifth in extra-base hits (69), while putting up a .325 batting average and .427 on-base percentage (1.015 OPS) in Double-A Wichita.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound second overall pick from the 2005 draft could enter the season as the starting third baseman in Kansas City and will be in the big leagues by midseason at the latest – barring injury. If you thought it was a treat to watch Ryan Zimmerman break into the big leagues last season, wait until you see what Gordon can do in 2007.

2. Andy LaRoche, LAD: Based on our interview with LaRoche, it sounds like he will enter 2007 healthy and ready to compete for a major league job. Brandon Wood’s extra-base hit partner in crime for the first half of 2005 – LaRoche finished the year with 57 (30 home runs) – LaRoche dealt with labrum tears in both shoulders during the 2006 season, sapping some of his power. Still, the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder put up a .315/.410/.514 combined line between Double-A Jacksonville and Triple-A Las Vegas.

Like the other players on this list, LaRoche has all-star potential. Look for him to hit around .300 with 25-30 home runs in his prime. Somehow Adam's little brother still doesn't seem to quite get the kind of respect that he deserves in the fantasy realm, so he's a bit of a "sleeper prospect".

3. Ryan Braun, MIL: Taken three picks after Gordon in the 2005 draft, Braun was considered to be a big drop off in talent from the Nebraska slugger. But the University of Miami product has exceeded expectations, as he batted .289/.357/.514 last season between High-A Brevard County and Double-A Huntsville with 22 home runs and 26 stolen bases (caught stealing four times, 100% success rate in Double-A).

Some critics believe that Braun does not have the all-around defensive package that major league teams want out of a third baseman. Others say that with his arm and athleticism, he’ll learn to become a stable defender. If Braun picks up where he left off in Double-A last season, he could be a major leaguer by next season. He’ll instantly become an above-average major league hitter.

Check back next week for our Top 5 Rookie Outfielders.