We have ranked the top 10 rotations and the the top 10 bullpens, and now it's time for Part 3 of our series ranking team units: the top 10 infields -- for overall play, not just defense or offense -- based on the input from MLB evaluators.
Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo finished 10th in National League MVP voting in 2014 and fourth last year. Third baseman Kris Bryant was the NL Rookie of the Year, after reaching base 230 times in his first 151 big league games. Addison Russell and the Cubs thrived after he took over at shortstop and established a more consistent defensive presence at the most important infield position.
And during the winter the Cubs added the cherry on top of what appears to be the best and most well-rounded infield in the majors, signing Ben Zobrist to play second base. His defensive metrics dipped last season, but keep in mind that he had midseason knee surgery, and Zobrist continues to be a very strong offensive player among middle infielders; he had a .359 on-base percentage and .809 OPS. He also has proved adept against lefties -- he hit .329 against them in '15 -- which could be a skill more valued in the Cubs lineup as opposing managers attack Kyle Schwarber and Rizzo with lefties.
Here's another thing about this group: The players are all similar in personality and professionalism, and even if they weren't the best group of infielders -- which they are -- they would have a great experience playing together. 2. San Francisco Giants
Here we have just an all-around good, solid group that must have been attractive to free-agent pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Johnny Cueto (along with the millions the Giants will pay them). Brandon Crawford won a Gold Glove for his shortstop play last season and compiled a career-high 58 extra-base hits. Third baseman Matt Duffy finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting after batting .295 and faring very well in some defensive metrics at his position; he finished behind only Adrian Beltre, Nolan Arenado and Manny Machado in defensive runs saved. Second baseman Joe Panik made the All-Star team after his strong first half last season, though he was taken down by back problems in the second half.
Brandon Belt will again share time at first base with Buster Posey, who is expected to catch something in the range of 100 games. Belt had 56 extra-base hits in 137 games, but the next step in his development will be gaining more consistency; last season he tended to waffle between being scorching hot, including a May in which he had a 1.075 OPS, and cratering, as in April and June when his OPS was less than .700.
It's not yet clear how the Royals will handle playing time at second base, but the days of Omar Infante being an everyday guy at that spot are almost certainly over. In recent days, Kansas City GM Dayton Moore has spoken of the possibility that Christian Colon -- who will forever be remembered in K.C. thanks to his key pinch-hit in Game 5 of the World Series -- could get a lot of at-bats at second.
At the other infield spots, the Royals are rock-solid now that third baseman Mike Moustakas has developed the habit of hitting the ball to all fields and first baseman Eric Hosmer has become one of the pre-eminent players at his position, and Alcides Escobar's unconventional approach at the plate complements his defense. This is a group of players that has played in the World Series in back-to-back seasons, and the confidence of Moustakas and Escobar, particularly, seems to have grown significantly.
The upcoming campaign could be the first full season that Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki play together on the left side of the Jays' infield, with enormous potential for damage. Ryan Goins was an important player for the Jays after establishing himself at second base; he had a .361 on-base percentage after the All-Star break and is a good defender.
Chris Colabello and Justin Smoak could again share time at first base, though Colabello might have wedged himself into more playing time by hitting .321 last season, with a .367 on-base percentage. Toronto's first basemen combined for 110 RBIs last season, third most in the majors.