There was a comment that the Cubs have gotten good production out of their third base platoon this season (Valbuena, Ransom, Murphy).
As of today, this is how the platoon fared:
Valbuena: 301 AB, 69 H, 11 HR, 1 SB, .229 BA, 1.7 WAR
Ransom: 158 AB, 32 H, 9 HR, 20 RBI, 0 SB, .203 BA, 0.9 WAR
Murphy: 110 AB, 31 H, 10 HR, 20 RBI, 1 SB, .282 BA, 1.4 WAR
Total: 569 AB, 132 H, 30 HR, 75 RBI, 2 SB, .232 BA, 4.0 WAR
Individually, none of the Cub third sackers are in the Top 20 MLB Third Basemen.
Collectively, the platoon would rank amongst in those Top 20 players:
#1 in AB
#11 in Hits
#3 in HR
#5 in RBI
#18 in BA
#10 in SB
#8 in WAR
22.7 percent of the hits were home runs. It is an all or nothing approach.
By comparison to the last full time starter at third, Aramis Ramirez, who had an injury shortened season, played in 78 games, 265 AB, 73 H, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 2.85 BA, 0 SB, 0.2 WAR. Most executives would still say A-Ram is a better third baseman than the Cubs platoon.
Ramirez HR percentage of hits is 13.6 percent.
If one gives Ramirez stat line a 144 game projection as a current full season, Ramirez would have 15 HR, 58 RBI, .285 BA. That would put him around #11 or #12 best MLB third baseman this year.
