Third base just might be the strongest position for future stars in the game. Obviously, one name looms over the whole position as Kris Bryant burst on the scene with the Cubs. Part of the appeal is that he also is eligible at multiple positions. Still, you shouldn’t sweep the other guys under the rug. Some of them look like really good future third sackers if they get the opportunity.

Kris Bryant— Chicago Cubs

Key Numbers: .275, 26 HR, 87 Runs, 99 RBI, 13 SB

Overview

The collective bargaining agreement is coming up and Bryant just might be the poster child for a rule change as it pertains to service time. The Cubs delayed his debut just long enough to extend his free agency by one season. The decision making behind it was more than transparent. He came up on the first day he could under the rule and was immediately inserted into the cleanup spot. If he had started the season with the big club, he would have driven in more than 100 runs and may have hit 30 home runs. Instead, he proceeded to be the driving force behind the Cubs run for the pennant. They ultimately came up short again, but you have to think they will be back.

Barriers to Launch

Are you kidding me? He’s already launched, so there are no barriers to launch. One can only hope that the Cubs will leave him in one spot so he can establish himself as the superstar he is destined to become. If it weren’t for Josh Donaldson, Bryant might be the first third baseman taken next year, and he still might be in some leagues. Don’t sleep on the steals, it is just one element that makes him one of the best young players in the game.

Matt Duffy— San Francisco Giants

Key Numbers: .295, 12 HR, 77 Runs, 77 RBI, 12 SB

Overview

Unfortunately, Duffy gets compared to Kris Bryant not only in this comparison, but also for the Rookie of the Year award. Duffy doesn’t have the high end numbers that Bryant (or some of the other stars) has, but he does a little bit of everything. He hit around .300 for most of the season and added a little power and a little speed on top of that. As a fantasy player, he is a borderline regular going into next season. It all depends on how much growth people project.

Barriers to Launch

Duffy had 4.9 WAR according to Fangraphs. It isn’t likely that anyone is going to be taking his slot next season. One could argue that his and Brandon Crawford’s development were the most positive things to come out of San Francisco in 2015. He will be manning third base in 2016. The question is whether we will see him move forward as a player or whether he will take a step back offensively. Duffy was rated as the best defensive third baseman among the rookies. No matter what happens, he will play.

Jung-ho Kang— Pittsburgh Pirates

Key Numbers: .287, 15 HR, 60 Runs, 58 RBI, 5 SB

Overview

Kang was a life saver for the Pirates this season. When Josh Harrison went down, Kang was able to man third ably. When they had injury trouble and ineffectiveness at shortstop, Kang was able to move there as well. Unfortunately, a major knee injury ended his season in September. Had he been there instead of Jordy Mercer they may have advanced to the NLDS. Of course, Jake Arrieta may have shut him down like he shut down everyone else. The Pirates hope he returns healthy next spring.

Barriers to Launch

The Pirates have a lot of depth. Usually this is a good thing, but for a player like Kang it really isn’t. In their heart of hearts I’m sure they hope Josh Harrison returns to his form from 2014 and Kang comes back and plays short like he did last season. Still, he already had some range issues at the position and his knee injury likely will not help in that department. It might limit him to third base. There is a possibility that they could try him at second if Neil Walker is not tendered a contract.

Maikel Franco— Philadelphia Phillies

Key Numbers: .280, 14 HR, 45 Runs, 50 RBI, 1 SB

Overview

Franco is definitely one of the few bright spots from the past season for the Phillies. They will have the first pick in the draft and they earned it with some uninspired play for most of the first 100 games. The Phillies finished strong and he was one of the reasons why. They still have quite a few holes, but some shrewd trades and hopefully a few strong drafts will bring this proud franchise back. If he had played a full season, he would have approached Kris Bryant’s numbers. He could be a bargain next year.

Barriers to Launch

There is nothing standing in Franco’s way in terms of playing. The only thing standing in Franco’s way is Franco. He has been highly touted for the past several years now and he didn’t disappoint last season. Yet, rookies have a way of disappointing in their second season as we all know. When the league gets to see him for the second and third time, they will get a book on him. The question is whether he will make the counter adjustment.