37-5 Checking the Locks: Third Base

[crobillard]

This is a series where I will evaluate the options in each position leading into Spring Training. This is the fourth of twelve parts, including a prediction and end of Spring Training analysis. I will be taking a looking into third base in this post.

Near locks: Felix Arrojo
Trying to get in the door: Steven Collins III, Les Fawcett

Collins is the big story going into Spring Training. He still has plenty of development points and flew through the minors last season but played most of the season in AAA. There's no doubt that at this point right now he's the best option at third for the Jackrabbits. The question is whether to keep him in the minors for better development opportunities. At 8/8/5/5/6, he'll probably hit okay enough to keep on developing, but his potentials are 12/9/7/6/7, so he has plenty of room for development still and is probably best in AAA. Are the Jackrabbits' struggles enough to call Collins up now? He will turn 21 after this season so he still has time.

Arrojo was a Rule V draft pickup and is clearly in Edmonton to be either a defensive specialist or the starter at third base if Collins isn't chosen to stay in the majors at the end of spring. He's not a great hitter, but the hope is that he will be serviceable enough to be able to keep putting out there for each game. Fawcett is rated at third base with a 1 rating and I will talk about him since he has been the backup at third in Edmonton for four seasons for God knows what reason. He even started as a DH in 2033 with 6/6/7/7/7 ratings. He has terrible defense and his offense is meh. I don't love him, but he had 25 homeruns in 2033 so maybe he's worth consideration. I guess he can be considered at third, but I will have to be pretty desperate to play him there.