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Washington Nationals: Ranking The Third Basemen In 2017 NL East

By Frank Ellis

Oct 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) hits a two run home run during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) hits a two run home run during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Maikel Franco (PHI)

2016 Stats: .255/.306/.427, 25 home runs, 88 RBI’s, and one stolen base in 152 games

This is where the youth and the power really comes into play on this list. Everyone expected 2016 to be a true breakout year for Franco and if his average was a little higher it would have been. Franco is still only 24 years old and truthfully the sky is the limit for him. 25 home runs in his first full season with the Phillies is just a sign of the future.

According to Fangraphs, Franco had a strikeout rate of 16.8% in 2016, which is just a little too high. If he really wants to capitalize on his talent he will need to get that down and bring his walk rate up. Once he becomes a more refined hitter, his power numbers could go even higher. I expect that 2017 will be that breakout year we all thought 2016 would be.

As for his youth, Franco could be the star of another Phillies championship team in the years to come. They have so much around him already in this lineup. Top prospect J.P. Crawford is expected to join the fold at some point this year and he could provide another person on the bases for Franco to drive in. The combination of Franco, Herrera, Nola, Joseph and Crawford could be something that the NL East will be fearing for years to come.

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