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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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Washington Nationals
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Anthony Rendon (WSH)

2016 Stats: .270/.348/.450, 20 home runs, 85 RBI’s, 12 stolen bases in 156 games

“Tony Two Bags” tops our NL East this year for third basemen and if he can prove to stay healthy for another full year he will be at or near the top annually for years to come.

Rendon finished the year with 38 doubles and that is by far the most of any third basemen in the NL East and he had the most stolen bases as well. He also finished with the second most RBI and home runs. He will only be 26 heading into the 2017 season and his stock is clearly on the rise. He was the only third basemen in the NL East to make it on to the MLB Top Ten Right Now.

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While his stock is rising, so is the stock of the bats around him in this year’s Washington Nationals lineup. He will have a bounce back Harper and hopefully a repeat of last year from Turner, Murphy and the newly acquired Adam Eaton in the lineup. This is the best lineup he has ever been in and it will allow him to stack up the RBI’s in 2017.

Rendon will also likely see the best pitches in that whole lineup. Opposing pitchers will not be likely to pitch around him if the players in front of him do their job and get on base.

His performance in 2017 could determine whether the Nationals repeat as NL East champions. If he continues to improve his bat he will likely be at the top of this list again come this season.

Next: Nats Upgrade Bench With Lind Addition

Who knows he may even have a Silver Slugger Award to go right next to his NL Comeback Player of the Year Award.

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