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MLB All-Star Game: Picking the American League Starters

By Matt Snyder

Apr 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Travis Jankowski (16) in the field during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Travis Jankowski (16) in the field during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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MLB All-Star Game
Jun 17, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Third Base: Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays

The reigning American League MVP has not taken a step back in his attempt to defend his title. Donaldson has actually increased his on-base percentage by 20 points over his 2015 MVP season while holding his slugging percentage constant.

The only reason Donaldson can’t be considered the best third baseman in the game by a mile is that there’s doubt about wheter Manny Machado is considered a third baseman or a shortstop.

But Machado’s positional status doesn’t cast a shadow over what Donaldson has — and is — accomplishing. He ranks fifth in the league in overall hitting (by wRC+) with a .279/.391/.565 batting line.

Next: Left Field

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