MLB 2025 Position Rankings: Third Base
Selections by Around the Globe Baseball Staff: Article by Taylor Bretl
Feburary 27, 2025
Selections by Around the Globe Baseball Staff: Article by Taylor Bretl
Feburary 27, 2025
10. Mark Vientos
2024 Stats: .266/.322/.516, 27 HR, 71 RBI
2024 Accolades: N/A
Finding his place on the Mets roster, Vientos posted a .266/.322/.516 line, with 27 home runs and 71 RBI. Despite playing over 40 fewer games than the top three home run hitting National League third basemen, Vientos still tied for third in home runs, showcasing his power at the plate. In the playoffs, he elevated his performance even further, batting .327 with five home runs and 14 RBI in just 13 games.
9. Eugenio Suárez
2024 Stats: .256/.319/.469, 30 HR, 101 RBI
2024 Accolades: N/A
Suárez showcased his ability to contribute both power and consistency at the plate, leading all NL third basemen with 30 home runs and ranked second in RBI (101) and slugging percentage (.469). On a Diamondbacks team expected to compete for the playoffs again, his production level is needed to stay strong.
8. Ausin Riley
2024 Stats: .256/.322/.461, 19 HR, 56 RBI (110 G)
2024 Accolades: N/A
7. Nolan Arenado
2024 Stats: .272/.325/.394, 16 HR, 71 RBI (152 G)
2024 Accolades: Gold Glove Finalist
Arenado's 2024 campaign marked the first season in his career without any accolades, and the end of an eight-year streak of All-Star selections dating back to 2015. Despite this, the future Hall of Famer's season still remained notable among third basemen, concluded the season as a Gold Glove finalist.
6. Alex Bregman
2024 Stats: .260/.315/.453, 26 HR, 75 RBI (145 G)
2024 Accolades: Gold Glove Winner, Silver Slugger Finalist
Joining the Red Sox alongside Rafael Devers, the competition for the third base position in Boston will be something to monitor. Both players are currently listed as third basemen, but Alex Bregman seems poised to secure the role with his strong defensive — highlighted by his Gold Glove win last season. On offense among AL third basemen, he ranked third in batting average (.260), slugging percentage (.453), OPS (.768), and extra-base hits (58).
5. Alec Bohm
2024 Stats: .280/.332/.448, 15 HR, 97 RBI (143 G)
2024 Accolades: All-Star Starter, Silver Slugger Finalist
In his fourth full season in the majors, Alec Bohm earned both his first All-Star selection and All-Star start. He led all third basemen with a .280 batting average and 44 doubles. Among NL third basemen, he ranked first with a .332 on-base percentage. Bohm nearly improved every offensive category from his 2023 season, as well as collecting 97 RBI for the second straight year.
4. Matt Chapman
2024 Stats: .247/.328/.463, 27 HR, 78 RBI (154 G)
2024 Accolades: Gold Glove Winner, Silver Slugger Finalist
Most known for one of the best gloves in the majors, Matt Chapman won his fifth career Gold Glove in his eighth year in the majors. Offensively, his 27 home runs matched his career high and tied Mark Vientos for the third most among National League third basemen. Additionally, his 39 doubles tied José Ramírez for the second most among all third basemen, and his .791 OPS was the second highest among NL third basemen, trailing only Manny Machado’s .797. Chapman's 7.1 WAR was the highest among all third basemen in 2024.
3. Manny Machado
2024 Stats: .275/.325/.472, 29 HR, 105 RBI (152 G)
2024 Accolades: Silver Slugger Winner
Manny Machado sits ranked the best third baseman in the NL. He led all NL third basemen in slugging percentage (.537), OPS (.797) and RBI (105), while ranking second in both batting average (.275) and home runs (29). His strong offensive season earned him his second career Silver Slugger Award.
2. Rafael Devers
2024 Stats: .272/.354/.516, 28 HR, 83 RBI (138 G)
2024 Accolades: All-Star Reserve
Achieving at least a .270/.350/.500 slash line with 25 or more home runs and 30 or more doubles for the fourth consecutive season, Rafael Devers has maintained one of the most consistent players at the hot corner. Among all third basemen in 2024, he led with a .354 on-base percentage, while his .870 OPS and .516 slugging percentage ranked second, trailing just José Ramírez in both.
1. José Ramírez
2024 Stats: .279/.335/.537, 39 HR, 118 RBI (158 G)
2024 Accolades: All-Star Starter, Silver Slugger Winner, Gold Glove Finalist
José Ramírez finished his fourth consecutive season as an All-Star and earned the Silver Slugger Award for the fifth time in the past eight seasons. The switch hitter finished the season with 39 home runs and 41 stolen bases, narrowly missing a 40/40 milestone — something that no third baseman has done. Among third basemen, Ramírez ranked first in hits (173), home runs (39), extra-base hits (81), RBI (118) — the third most in the majors — stolen bases (41), slugging percentage (.537) and OPS at (.872). His batting average of .279 was the second highest among third basemen, trailing Alec Bohm by only .001.