A Look at the D-Backs Third Base Depth and Prospects

The Arizona Diamondbacks are overloaded with third base options on the MLB team right now, but none truly classify as a long-term player who the franchise can start nearly every day with no concerns. Evan Longoria is 37 and on a one-year deal. Jace Peterson is strictly a platoon infielder in his 30s who has been in a slump lately. His glove is good and he's signed through next year, but he isn't an ideal starting third baseman. Geraldo Perdomo is a shortstop who can play third base, but his bat doesn't have the high power or RBI totals that one would want with the guy who plays third. Last is Buddy Kennedy. He's getting a chance right now but he's another player that is being platooned and is not hitting much at present. While he is a better hitter than the results he has gotten so far, he probably doesn't quite have the upside to be a long term solution.

The team probably can't afford the likes of Matt Chapman and Jeimar Candelario who will be free agents this off-season. Before considering potential trade targets lets look into the team's organizational depth chart to see if there is a D-backs third baseman of the future? This is a similar overview of the organization's depth and prospects similar to the catcher article I wrote a couple of weeks back.

Over with the Reno Aces lies a few different players capable of playing third base, one of whom has done it in the big leagues, and another who has the glove but has never played there. The main name is Emmanuel Rivera. I'm sure you remember him from his time with Arizona earlier this year. He got off to a fast start but an extended slump saw his numbers crater. Now, he's with the Reno Aces. Rivera is hitting .326/.374/.526 and has 13 extra-base hits with 19 RBI in just 23 games down there. In the MLB, he hit just .267/.311/.376 and struck out 51 times in just 221 at-bats. Rivera is 27 so it remains to be seen if he can reach that higher level in his play. He's a streaky hitter that relies on line-drive contact.

Phillip Evans is 30 years old and a long-term minor leaguer with some MLB experience. He's having an outstanding season with a batting line of .328/.445/.444 and 79 walks to 52 strikeouts. However, his lack of proven ability in the MLB likely lends some skepticism as to how he'd fare back up in the MLB. Plus, he's not on the 40-man roster and his age isn't a great indicator that he's a long-term answer.

Blaze Alexander has the glove and and a 70 scout grade arm. While he's mainly a shortstop, the D-backs top 30-ranked prospect could theoretically fit at third from a fielding perspective. However, he isn't a power-oriented guy and likely profiles as a utility player when he reaches MLB, perhaps as soon as next week.

Last but not least is Jordan Lawlar who has the bat to stick at third base. He's never played third base yet in his minor league career. He's strictly been at shortstop and the team might not want to challenge the number one prospect with a new position when he's still developing at shortstop and is just 20 years old.

In Double-A with the Amarillo Sod Poodles lies two top-ten prospects for the D-backs that both play third base to varying degrees of success. They are Deyvison De Los Santos and Ivan Melendez. Both players are high-power/RBI bats with the glove that could potentially play third base despite the fact both profile as first basemen. De Los Santos just recently won Player of the Month for the Diamondbacks Minor League system in July. He's played third base most of the season with 64 games there this year. He does have 11 errors and a .928 fielding percentage, but the bat certainly sticks. De Los Santos full season battling line hitting .246/.296/.402, but that's mainly due to an extended slump he had to start the season.

On the year, he has 15 home runs, 51 RBI, and 24 walks to 103 strikeouts. Now, you see the problem that lies with the 20-year-old. He has light tower power but must learn to control the strike zone and cut down on his strikeout rate if he has hopes to make the big leagues. De Los Santos is at least two years away from MLB. He's also been playing a lot more first base now that Melendez is there.

Since Melendez was promoted to Double-A Amarillo, he has seen the lion's share of time at third base. Over his 31 games, he's made an appearance at third base in 20 of them. This could be a signal that the D-backs view Melendez as the likelier option at third base. After all, De Los Santos' 11 errors are not good and he has just two errors at first base in 237.1 innings. Melendez has four errors at third base in 175.1 innings which is far better. Though, neither profile as a player that will ever compete for a Gold Glove at third base. Melendez does have the bat and an equally high strikeout rate as De Los Santos.

Over his 31 games in Amarillo, he's batting.288/.345/.624 with four doubles, a triple, and an eye-popping 12 home runs and 33 RBI. Yet, while that's great, his 50 strikeouts in just 139 plate appearances are horrific. He must get that under control as that's over a 30% rate. If he doesn't, his bat could be the right-handed version of Joey Gallo, without the speed or strong glove.

In High-A Hillsboro, the D-backs have a potential candidate to be their starting third baseman in a few years in top-ten prospect Gino Groover. The recent second-round draft pick is already up in High-A thanks to a strong hit tool. His glove is still in progress as evidenced by his three errors in just eight games at third base. The bat certainly plays with a .316/.386/.421 batting line with a double, home run, seven RBI, and a three-to-six walk/strikeout ratio. The Hops have two other young players who can play third base, Joshua Day and Jesus Valdez. However, both of them are having tough years at the plate with neither having an OPS near .700.

In Single-A Visalia, the D-backs have a prospect by the name of Gavin Conticello. He's been their mainstay at third base where he has shown to have a very poor glove. His bat is in a slump as well with just a .212 batting average over 98 games. The 20-year-old has potential, but this has been a very tough year for him. In Rookie Ball, the D-backs have quite a few players that are playing third base, but none profile as a true standout player with above-average potential.

Perhaps, the team will be forced to go outside the organization for a third baseman who can play one-to-two years for them. They could swing a trade similar to the deal that netted them, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno. Acquire a good starting third baseman who has just one year or so left on his contract or arbitration. Or, they could go sign a free agent this winter like Brian Anderson or Joey Wendle. Players that have roughly one year left on their deal would be Kyle Farmer, J.D. Davis, Eugenio Suarez (who plays for a common trade partner in the Mariners), or Yoan Moncada. The Diamondbacks must find a third baseman who they can rely on next year. Perhaps Kennedy, Rivera, or Lawlar is the answer. Or, an external option that they can likely trade for due to their limited finances.