Kansas City Royals Top Five Third Basemen

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

After a one week hiatus, we return with the countdown of the five best players at each position in Kansas City Royals history. This time, we take a look at third base, where it is fairly obvious as to who will win the title of the All-Time Best third baseman in Royals history. Besides, if the crown went to someone else, he may come at me like I was Tim McClelland and his bat had excessive pine tar. Personally, I am not willing to take that risk.

While the top spot is obvious, and likely to be held by George Brett for the foreseeable future, and probably beyond that, the rest of the list is somewhat interesting. There are players on this list that may have been underappreciated during their time with the Royals, or had their perception tainted due to the teams they were a part of. Fortunately, with the gift of hindsight, we can go through and see the value that these players had.

The same parameters as on the previous countdowns apply. The Wins Above Replacement category for Fangraphs was used as a guide, which has led to the interesting realization that Mike Moustakas is actually rated higher than Mark Teahan. Neither will be appearing on this list beyond this category, but I found that to be rather interesting.

As always, let us know if there is someone that you feel should have rated higher on the list, or if there is anyone that you feel was forgotten about.

Next: Oh, you dirty rat

credit: totalprosports.com

5. Gary Gaetti (1993-1995, 7.8 WAR)

We all know that Steve Balboni holds the Kansas City Royals single season home run record with 36, but how many people knew that Gary ‘The Rat’ Gaetti is second on that list with 35 home runs? Well, you do now.

Signed midway through the 1993 season after being released by the Angels, Gaetti put together two solid seasons for the Royals before truly exploding in 1995. That season, Gaetti produced a .261/.329/.518 batting line, hitting the aforementioned 35 home runs to go along with 96 RBI and 27 doubles. Those efforts earned Gaetti tenth place on the MVP ballot that year and his only Silver Slugger award.

Overall, for his career with the Kansas City Royals, Gary Gaetti produced a .267/.323/.491 batting line, hitting 61 home runs and 60 doubles. Defensively, although he was never a Gold Glove winning third baseman, Gaetti saved the Royals 32 runs in his time in Kansas City, leading the league with twelve defensive runs saved in 1994.

Gaetti may be best remembered for his time with the Minnesota Twins, bu he actually had his best overall run with any team as a member of the Kansas City Royals. While that stellar 1995 season skewed his overall numbers, Gaetti was still an excellent third baseman.

Next: The original number 10

credit: ljworld.com

3. Joe Randa (1995-1996, 1999-2004, 13.1 WAR)

For some reason, it has always seemed to me as though Joe Randa was underappreciated during his time with the Royals. Perhaps this is due to his appearing during the “Trust Years,” where anything of value was sent away. This even included Randa at one point, as he was traded for Jay Bell and Jeff King before being reacquired prior to the 1999 season. Yet, The Joker, as he was known, was another solid third baseman for the Royals.

While Randa was never an All-Star, he did have several solid seasons for the Kansas City Royals. His 1999 season was particularly solid, as Randa posted a .314/.363/.473 batting line with 16 home runs and 36 doubles, while leading the American League in putouts, assists and double plays as a third baseman.

Overall for the Royals, Joe Randa produced a .288/.340/.428 batting line with 86 home runs and 223 doubles. While that batting line was only good enough for an OPS+ of 95, Randa was a solid defensive player, saving 12 runs at third while being able to play second on occasion if needed.

He may not have been a star, but Randa was a solid third baseman, and was actually the third best in Kansas City Royals history.

Next: The expected heir to the crown

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2. Kevin Seitzer (1986-1991, 16.1 WAR)

Kevin Seitzer burst onto the scene during his rookie year in 1987. That year, he led the American League with 207 hits, en route to a .323/.399/.470 batting line with 15 home runs and 33 doubles. Seitzer earned an All-Star nod and finished second on the Rookie of the Year ballot that season to Mark McGwire. It appeared as though the Kansas City Royals had found their heir apparent for George Brett at third.

Unfortunately, Seitzer would never reach those marks again. However, he remained a solid offensive third baseman, displaying a knack for getting on base. During his career, Seitzer walked 669 times against 617 strikeouts, as he showed an impressive batting eye and an ability to put the bat on the ball.

Those traits were evident throughout Kevin Seitzer’s tenure with the Royals as well. During his time in Kansas City, Seitzer produced a .294/.380/.394 batting line. As someone with far more gap power than home run hitting ability, Seitzer hit only 33 home runs during his six seasons with the Royals, but had 128 doubles. While Seitzer was not spectacular by any means, aside from that rookie season, he was a solid player for the Royals.

Those six years were enough to make Seitzer the second best third baseman in Royals history, behind the legend.

Next: Seriously, did you expect anyone different?

Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

1. George Brett (1973-1993, 84.6 WAR)

Over twenty years after he retired, there is still a reason as to why George Brett remains the Face of the Kansas City Royals. Let us just look at some of his accomplishments. Brett is the only player to win a batting title in three different decades, doing so in 1976, 1980 and 1990. He just missed hitting .400 during that 1980 campaign, as he posted a .390/.454/.644 batting line, as his batting average remained over .400 through September 4th.

In addition to winning the MVP award that season, Brett was a thirteen time All-Star, a three time Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove winner. He finished in the top three on the MVP ballot four times. Brett, quite simply, was an all time great at third.

His career numbers back that up. His 3154 hits rank 16th in baseball history. A .305/.369/.487 batting line with 317 home runs and 201 stolen bases. Brett’s 665 doubles are sixth all time. He ranks 15th in extra base hits, and is seventh all time in intentional walks. A lifetime member of the Royals, George Brett has stuck around, filling various capacities in the front office and even donning the ol’ number 5 for a couple of months to serve as the Royals interim hitting coach.

Not only is George Brett the greatest Royal ever, but he remains the face of the franchise. It is easy to see why.

Next: Kansas City Royals Countdown: Top Five Second Basemen