Third base exists in baseball’s perfect middle ground – demanding both the reflexes of a cat on espresso and the cannon arm of a medieval siege weapon. The position has evolved into a showcase for the game’s most complete athletes – two-way stars who impact games on both sides of the chalk.
1. Jose Ramirez (Cleveland Guardians)
Jose Ramirez may not look like a star, but his play on the field proves he is one.
In 2024, he hit .279 with 39 home runs and stole 41 bases. As a switch-hitter, he doesn’t strike out much. Moreover, he breaks the mold of today’s typical power hitter. When the game is close in the late innings, consequently, Cleveland fans want Ramirez at the plate.
2. Austin Riley (Atlanta Braves)
Early in his career, scouts worried about Riley striking out too much. However, he’s now one of the best hitters in baseball. Last season, in particular, he hit .281 with 37 home runs and 97 RBIs.
Additionally, Riley has become very good on defense. Once seen as just a power hitter, he has since become a complete player who makes great plays at third base. At 28 years old, furthermore, Riley is still getting better, which should worry pitchers who face him.
3. Rafael Devers (Boston Red Sox)
Rafael Devers swings with power and purpose. At just 28, the Red Sox star has already hit over 200 career homers. During the 2024 season, specifically, he hit 28 homers with 83 RBIs.
On defense, meanwhile, Devers has some issues. His range is limited, but Boston pays him for his bat, not his glove. When Devers connects with a fastball, it’s like watching a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral. Despite his defensive limitations, Red Sox fans love watching him crush baseballs deep into the stands.
4. Manny Machado (San Diego Padres)
Manny Machado is a complete player. In 2024, notably, he hit .275 with 29 home runs and 105 RBIs. He combines power, a good eye at the plate, and great defense.
The Padres star works hard on all parts of his game. For instance, he studies film, takes extra ground balls, and fine-tunes his swing daily. As a result, Machado makes tough plays look easy. Given his all-around excellence, he’s the type of player worth every penny of his big contract.
5. Nolan Arenado (St. Louis Cardinals)
Nolan Arenado is a defensive master at third base. Indeed, his 10 Gold Gloves show just how good he is with the glove.
At 34, nonetheless, he’s slowing down a bit. His 2024 batting average was .272, yet he still has 341 career home runs. Fortunately, Arenado’s baseball smarts help make up for any lost speed. In addition, his bare-handed plays are still some of the best in the game.
6. Matt Chapman (San Francisco Giants)
Ground balls hit to Matt Chapman rarely get through. Besides his great range, he has quick reactions. Furthermore, his strong arm helps him make tough throws look easy.
Chapman’s hitting, on the other hand, is less steady. His career .241 average shows he has hot and cold streaks. At the plate, Chapman is like a weather system passing through – sometimes bringing thunder and lightning, other times just a light drizzle. Nevertheless, teams value him most for his defense. Even when he’s not hitting well, consequently, Chapman’s glove keeps him in the lineup.
7. Alex Bregman (Houston Astros)
Alex Bregman is a smart, precise player. During the 2024 season, specifically, he hit .257 with a .417 on-base percentage and 22 home runs. While these numbers may not jump out, they still show his value.
Above all, Bregman has a great eye at the plate. He rarely swings at bad pitches. On defense, similarly, he always seems to be in the right spot. Although questions about his free agency future exist, his baseball IQ will nonetheless keep him valuable for years.
8. Max Muncy (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Max Muncy has major power in his swing. While he hit just .232 in 2024, his .358 on-base percentage and .494 slugging nonetheless show his true value. In addition, he hit 15 homers in limited playing time.
Pitchers hate facing Muncy because he walks a lot (15% of the time in his career). Meanwhile, staying healthy has been a challenge for him. When healthy, however, Muncy is a key player for the Dodgers and can also play multiple positions.
9. Isaac Paredes (Houston Astros)
Isaac Paredes plays third base with great skill. In particular, he has quick hands and makes accurate throws that turn tough plays into easy outs.
Last season, moreover, showed his growth as a player. He hit 19 home runs with 80 RBIs. Subsequently, his trade to Houston could help him get even better. Paredes is young, good on defense, and shows power at the plate. Furthermore, he can also play second base, thus making him more valuable.
10. Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays)
Junior Caminero isn’t yet among the elite third basemen, but he could be soon. To clarify, his minor league numbers show he has rare power and good contact skills.
His defense needs work, yet he has a very strong arm. Therefore, his weaknesses are balanced by clear strengths. Caminero rose quickly through Tampa Bay’s system. Finally, some players are worth changing your schedule to watch, and Caminero is certainly one of those players.
