Cubs position-by-position analysis: Third base

The Tribune will be doing position-by-position analysis for the 2015 Cubs. Today, we look at third base.

2015 statistics

Kris Bryant: .275 batting average, 26 home runs, 99 RBIs, .369 on-base percentage

Tommy La Stella: .269 batting average, one home run, 11 RBIs, .324 on-base percentage

Javier Baez: .289 batting average, one home run, four RBIs, .325 on-base percentage. At Triple-A Iowa: .324 batting average, 13 home runs, 61 RBIs, .385 on-base percentage

Jonathan Herrera: .230 batting average, two home runs, 14 RBIs, .242 on-base percentage

Contract status for 2016

Bryant: under team control

La Stella: under team control

Baez: under team control

Herrera: arbitration eligible

Breakdown

After quelling doubts about his ability to play third base, the 6-foot-5 Bryant possibly could see more time in the outfield because of his range.

Bryant’s time in the outfield could depend on whether the Cubs make significant changes. But Bryant, who is likely is to be named the National League Rookie of the Year next week, brings the Cubs the most value at third base.

While his offense picked up in the final two months of the regular season, Bryant became gradually better as a defender from the time he was promoted from Triple-A Iowa on April 17.

For starters, Bryant eliminated the pause, or glove-tapping, before throwing to first base. Bryant also moved better to his left and took away several extra base hits down the third base line in the second half.

There are no questions about his arm, and Bryant charged grounders with greater ease as the season progressed.

Of Bryant’s 17 errors at third base, only was committed in his final 25 games.

At the plate, Bryant is expected to cut down on his 199 strikeouts. Like many of the Cubs’ young hitters, Bryant will learn from the lessons that the New York Mets’ starters taught them in a four-game sweep in the NLCS.

Despite his reputation as a power hitter, Bryant also displayed a knack of hitting in the clutch. He batted .350 (21-for-60) with two out and runners in scoring position and .292 with runners in scoring position.

If Bryant moves to the outfield with more regularity, Baez can play third base adequately. But Baez would bring move value to the Cubs as a second baseman – where there are no questions about his defense.

Despite playing virtually his entire career at second, left-handed hitter Tommy La Stella can play third sufficiently over a brief period. La Stella batted .333 after Sept. 1 but could be viewed more as a super utility player.

Team officials have raved about Jeimer Candelario’s defense, but Candelario appears at least one season away from reaching the majors. Christian Villanueva batted .257 with 20 home runs and 95 RBIs at Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa but could benefit from a change of scenery.