AL Third Base Prospect Smackdown
I was looking through a variety of prospect ranking sites and I noticed that the position of these three guys tends to constantly bounce around. What are your thoughts on them? Who will make the biggest impact once they reach the majors? Who will have the best overall career? Are there position switches in any of their future? DIscuss.
Mike Moustakas - The Number two overall pick in the 2007 minor league draft by the Royals, Moustakas has shown enormous power potential, but has failed to capitalize on it in two seasons in the minors. 2008's lackluster showing was more excusable because of a huge 2nd half and a tough hitting environment, but didn't break through as expected in 2009 in High-A. His position is also in question, as he could become an outfielder depending on what the organization does with Gordon. John rated him a B+, and he is still young (21) and has potential to be a middle-of-the-order slugger.
Josh Bell - The most talented Orioles offensive prospect not named Matt Wieters, Bell rose the prospect ranks after a strong 2009 season in which he hit .295 with 20 HR between high-A and Double-A, coupled with a solid walk rate. Is already 23 but has a relatively open door to the majors for 2011 after Tejada leaves. John rated him a B saying he saw him as a solid regular but not a star, although other publications (namely Project Prospect) view him as the strongest of the 3B crop.
Lonnie Chisenhall - Formerly a shortstop, Chisenhall rose up the prospect ranks after a strong showing in High-A Kinston, hitting .276 with 18 HR in 388 ABs, but struggled in a smallish sample size in Double-A Akron, hitting .183 in 93 ABs, has a pedestrian K/BB, but is also only only 21 and should get an opportunity in 2011 at the latest, especially if Peralta falters. John gave him a B+ rating, and some other sites have rated him the best of the 3B crop, but there are certainly questions even though he's likely better than that other Indians 3b prospect from a couple years ago who mashed in Kinston and then deflated after his promotion (anyone remember his name? I can't and it's driving me crazy)
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Moustakas was not the #1 overall pick
He was #2.
Shawn Spencer: "I’m receiving a transmission from your husband. Really more of a voicemail, if I'm being honest. A status update. Perhaps a twitter."
Burton Guster: "I believe it’s called a tweet."
Shawn Spencer: "There’s no way I’m saying that."
by PaulThomas on Feb 3, 2026 1:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
It's really a toss up between Bell and Chisenhall
I prefer Bell, but a valid argument can be made for both. Moustakas is a pretty distant third, in my mind.
by BrosbeforeShaincoes on Feb 3, 2026 1:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Small correction
Bell played the entire 2009 season in AA, just between to different clubs.
Like the poster above it’s really just a toss up between Bell/Chisenhall right now IMO. I personally like Bell’s potential with his bat, but LHP and defense is still likely a concern. Chisenhall seems a bit more well rounded and safer right now, not to mention he is a year younger on their current paths so that helps a bit.
by hybrid on Feb 3, 2026 2:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mike Mauling Mongooses Moustakas
This is not even a debate.
Best alliteration nickname ever BTW.
by FanBall on Feb 3, 2026 2:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'll take Chiz by a smidgen over Bell.
As far as I’m concerned, Moose is not even in the discussion.
He should audition to be a garden gnome in one of those Travelocity commercials, though.
He could be reunited with his fellow creatures.
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by Frederick0220 on Feb 3, 2026 2:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
That latest travel gnome commercial is creepy.
Cracks me up.
by alskor on Feb 3, 2026 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Great commercial.
Haven’t seen it on TV, yet.
Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.
by Frederick0220 on Feb 3, 2026 10:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, not very close at all in my book
RIP Nick Adenhart
by gatling on Feb 3, 2026 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I just feel biased against Bell after watching some video on him yesterday. Given his size, can we really expect him to stay long-term at 3B?
by WrenFGun on Feb 3, 2026 11:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't say that
I think expecting Bell to be a 3B long term is a bit optimistic. Sure, it could happen, but I wouldn’t want to be counting on that. Just a year ago he looked like a sure 1B/DH. The reports on his defense were positive in 2009, but let’s see how he looks this year before we start talking about a long career at 3B for Bell.
RIP Nick Adenhart
by gatling on Feb 3, 2026 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
When was the video from?
Apparently, he lost a fair bit of weight in the past year.
Even atheists believe in Matt Wieters
by wickedwitch on Feb 3, 2026 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was going off what I saw from Arizona this year
http://www.prospecttube.com/video/josh-bell-afl-2009-bp
http://www.prospecttube.com/video/josh-bell-arizona-fall-league
He’s chunky.
by alskor on Feb 3, 2026 2:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He's big.... but the vast majority of evaluators seem confident in his ability to stick at third
This is from Jason Grey, who saw him in the AFL this year:
Defensively, he projects to be no better than average at third but is a good enough athlete to stick there, and he has a 60 arm on the 20-80 scouting scale with average accuracy. I don’t think he’ll have to move.
Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook:
Bell has worked hard to become an average defender at third base, with smooth actions, improved footwork and an above-average arm.
Baseball America’s AFL Top 10 list, where Bell ranked 5th:
Considered a defensive liability coming into the season, Bell got himself into better condition and answered questions about his ability to remain at third base. He’s still a below-average runner, but Bell has become a solid defender at third base with smoother actions, cleaner footwork, improved range, good hands and an above-average arm.
KG:
As much as Bell improved at the plate in 2009, he made even larger strides defensively. Once seen as a future first baseman, Bell has made significant improvement in his instincts and footwork at the hot corner, while his arm has always been a plus.
We can safely assume he’s not going to win any gold gloves, but I don’t think we have to be too concerned about his ability to play third.
by BrosbeforeShaincoes on Feb 3, 2026 7:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I still have concerns
None of those said “long term” which was a condition of this conversation.
KG also mentions how conditioning and weight are big concerns for him, with the implication being if he puts on weight he’ll have to move, too. KG also never says he thinks he can stay there - he just said it was a serious question before and that he has improved… Most of these quotes arent exactly ringing endorsements…“I dont think he’ll have to move” and “has worked hard to become an average defender” are kind of backhanded complements…
I care less about him staying there and more about more about the quality of his defense there - which I dont think there is much chance he ends up a plus defender there. Chisenhall projects as a plus defender at 3B, and that’s who we’re comparing him to…
by alskor on Feb 3, 2026 8:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bell
I think the comments “I don’t think he’ll have to move” and “[Bell] answered questions about his ability to remain at third base” are pretty clearly an indication that both those authors believe he will be able to play third long-term.
KG is the least optimistic, to be sure. However, when he says there were serious questions before, he is implying that there are no longer those questions, or at the very least they have been subdued. In regards to Bell’s conditioning: KG says he has done an excellent job of maintaining his conditioning in the past two seasons, and goes on to laud his makeup. So there is no reason for me to believe he will let his conditioning go in the future.
Obviously, being put at the position is only half the battle. The better Bell plays at third, the more value he will have. But I think you are underrating his defensive ability. He has a plus arm, and in those quotes you heard things like good actions, soft hands, and improved range. I think there is a very realistic possibility Bell becomes an average defender at third. Couple that with his on-base abilities and power, and you have a 6 on your hands.
by BrosbeforeShaincoes on Feb 3, 2026 9:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Clarification
My final point boils down to this: I don’t think Bell will be an average defender, but I think he will be close enough that, when you factor in his bat, he is a more valuable player than Chisenhall.
by BrosbeforeShaincoes on Feb 3, 2026 10:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think he was thinking of Wes Hodges...
by alskor on Feb 3, 2026 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure if this is addressed to me, but I’m definitely thinking about Bell. His lower body is, well, large.
by WrenFGun on Feb 3, 2026 1:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In the post above Congo Hammer was trying to think of an Indians 3B prospect…
I agree on Bell. Real thick lower half. Doesnt look very athletic. If he puts on any weight he’s gonna be in trouble at 3B.
by alskor on Feb 3, 2026 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lol
“doesn’t look athletic”.
Weight/Size concerns should not be ignored, but it should be noted that he lost a significant amount of weight over the past year due to improved conditioning. Can’t assume he keeps it up, but I assume he noticed the correlation between the improved conditioning and improved performance and status. I for one assume he plans on continuing his new found work ethic.
by cowboy4eva on Feb 3, 2026 9:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Athletic look?
If athletic looks were the criterion for playing, Kirby Puckett would never have set foot on a major league field.
by JRTwins on Feb 4, 2026 12:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Citing Kirby Puckett for body type is the same as citing Maddux for velocity.
Obviously there are exceptions to every rule.
by alskor on Feb 4, 2026 12:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The original poster
asked about an Indians 3B from a couple of years ago who mashed at Kinston but didn’t much afterwards. That was Wes Hodges.
RIP Nick Adenhart
by gatling on Feb 3, 2026 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
no i don't think it was hodges or Mills
it was another even less-known guy, who hit a lot of homers in the early season and struggled after a midseason promotion. I think I got a little mixed up, it was Jared Goedert, but looking back with BaseballReference, he mashed more at Low-A. But still, it seems people are souring early on Moustakas (SNTS?) though he’s the same age as Chisenhall and his offensive production wasn’t all that much worse (defense still is though i guess…)
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by The Congo Hammer on Feb 4, 2026 12:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Just figured out who Chisenhall's stance and swing remind me of
A lefthanded Nomar.
Anyone else see it?
by alskor on Feb 4, 2026 12:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I can see it.
The placement of the hands + the short and sexxxy swing.
Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.
by Frederick0220 on Feb 4, 2026 1:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
by The Congo Hammer on 





