As we race towards the 2022 MLB season, here is Audacy Sports' countdown of the 10 best third basemen in the sport for this upcoming season...
10. Kris Bryant, Free Agent
Kris Bryant is one of the best third basemen in baseball.
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Age During 2022 Season: 30
2021 Statistics: .265/.353/.481 with 25 home runs, 73 RBIs, 62 walks, .835 OPS, 124 OPS+, -2 defensive runs saved (at third base), -4 outs above average (at third base) and a 3.6 fWAR
Bryant rebounded nicely from a dismal display during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, returning to All-Star caliber production in a season that he split between the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants. Wherever Bryant signs, he'll likely see the largest chunk of his action at third base, but the most valuable aspect of his game at this point might be his defensive flexibility.
9. Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels
Anthony Rendon is one of the best third basemen in baseball history.
(Robert Hanashiro/USA Today)
Age During 2022 Season: 32
2021 Statistics: .240/.329/.382 with six home runs, 34 RBIs, 29 walks, .712 OPS, 94 OPS+, -6 defensive runs saved, -6 outs above average and a 0.7 fWAR
Mike Trout wasn't the only Angels star who 2021 essentially turned into a lost season for. After finishing sixth among all players in fWAR during the 2020 season, a slew of lower-body injuries limited Rendon to just 58 games in his second season with the Angels. When healthy, Rendon is one of the better hitters in the game. As he enters the third season of a seven-year/$245 million deal, the Angels better hope last season wasn't a sign of things to come for their star third baseman.
8. Matt Chapman, Toronto Blue Jays
Matt Chapman is one of the best third basemen in baseball.
(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Age During 2022 Season: 29
2021 Statistics: .210/.314/.403 with 27 home runs, 72 RBIs, 80 walks, .716 OPS, 100 OPS+, 10 defensive runs saved, 17 outs above average and a 3.4 fWAR
Already a two-time Platinum Glove Award winner, Chapman has 78 defensive runs saved since he entered the league in 2017, the third most among all players during that period. The new Blue Jay is an all-time defender. If he can hit for a higher average in 2022, Chapman will be among the very best at his position.
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7. Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves
Austin Riley is one of the best third basemen in baseball.
(Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Age During 2022 Season: 25
2021 Statistics: .303/.367/.531 with 33 home runs, 107 RBIs, 52 walks, .898 OPS, 132 OPS+, 13 defensive runs saved, -6 outs above average and a 4.2 fWAR
Riley is coming off a breakout season for the defending World Series Champion Braves. By homering 33 times, driving in 107 runs and posting an OPS just shy of .900, Riley earned himself a Silver Slugger Award, and finished seventh in National League MVP voting. Perhaps even more impressive is that Riley went from a defensive liability at third base in 2020 (-10 defensive runs saved) to leading all third basemen with 13 defensive runs saved in 2021.
6. Alex Bregman, Houston Astros
Alex Bregman is one of the best third basemen in baseball.
(Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Age During 2022 Season: 28
2021 Statistics: .270/.355/.422 with 12 home runs, 55 RBIs, 44 walks, .777 OPS, 113 OPS+, two defensive runs saved, zero outs above average and a 2.0 fWAR
What exactly is one to make of Bregman? Between 2018 and 2019, he finished third among all position players in fWAR, trailing only future Hall of Famers Mike Trout and Mookie Betts. But he turned in disappointing production during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and then was limited to just 91 games in 2021 because of a left quad strain. Still only 27, Bregman should be at the height of his powers. But he needs to re-assert himself as one of the best players at his position in 2022.
5. Yoán Moncada, Chicago White Sox
Yoan Moncada is one of the best third basemen in baseball.
(David Berding/Getty Images)
Age During 2022 Season: 27
2021 Statistics: .263/.375/.412 with 14 home runs, 61 RBIs, 84 walks, .787 OPS, 117 OPS+, three defensive runs saved, -1 outs above average and a 4.5 fWAR
Once at the forefront of a trade package that the Boston Red Sox sent in return for Chris Sale, Moncada has developed into an excellent player. He's coming off of a 2021 campaign where he set new career highs in terms of walks (84) and on-base percentage (.375). If Moncada can drive in runs the way that he did in 2019, he'll be an American League MVP candidate in 2022.
4. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres
Manny Machado is one of the best third basemen in baseball.
(Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
Age During 2022 Season: 29
2021 Statistics: .278/.347/.489 with 28 home runs, 106 RBIs, 63 walks, .836 OPS, 131 OPS+, six defensive runs saved, three outs above average and a 4.4 fWAR
Machado is no longer the all-time great defender that he was in his early-20s with the Baltimore Orioles, but the five-time All-Star remains one of the most complete third basemen and all-around players in baseball. Of note is that Machado can opt out of his contract and return to the free-agent market after the 2023 season, so he has extra motivation to continue adding onto his Hall of Fame resume the next two years.
3. Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox
Rafael Devers is one of the best third basemen in baseball.
(Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Age During 2022 Season: 25
2021 Statistics: .279/.352/.538 with 38 home runs, 113 RBIs, 62 walks, .890 OPS, 132 OPS+, -13 defensive saved, -13 outs above average and a 4.7 fWAR
Devers isn't going to compete for the Gold Glove Award, but after a relatively disappointing 2020 season, he re-asserted himself as one of the most feared offensive players in baseball. With 38 home runs and an .890 OPS, Devers was an All-Star for the first time in 2021, while also earning his first Silver Slugger Award. Whether it's from the Red Sox or someone else, Devers is going to make a boatload of money after the 2023 season, when he's sent to become a free agent.
2. Nolan Arenado, St. Louis Cardinals
Nolan Arenado is one of the best third basemen in baseball.
(Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Age During 2022 Season: 31
2021 Statistics: .255/.312/.494 with 34 home runs, 105 RBIs, 50 walks, .807 OPS, 121 OPS+, six defensive runs saved, 10 outs above average and a 4.0 fWAR
Arenado didn't quite crack our list of the nine greatest third basemen of all-time this offseason, but he drew consideration. As a nine-time Gold Glover and five-time Platinum Glove Award winner, Arenado is in the conversation with Mike Schmidt, Brooks Robinson and Scott Rolen as one of the greatest defenders to ever man the hot corner. And while he did see a bit of a dip in his offensive numbers no longer playing his home games at Coors Field, it's hard not to be enamored with a player who is an elite fielder and pretty consistently hits over 30 home runs.
1. José Ramírez, Cleveland Guardians
Jose Ramirez is one of the best third basemen in baseball.
(Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Age During 2022 Season: 29
2021 Statistics: .266/.355/.538 with 36 home runs, 103 RBIs, 72 walks, .893 OPS, 141 OPS+, 10 defensive runs saved, seven outs above average and a 6.3 fWAR
Quietly, Ramírez continues to build a hell of a Hall of Fame resume. Twice a runner-up for the American League MVP, Ramírez finished third behind only Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Marcus Semien in terms of fWAR in the junior circuit a season ago. He'll make "just" $12 million in 2022 -- with the Guardians also holding a $14 million club option on Ramírez in 2023 -- in what's turned out to be one of the most team-friendly contracts ever.
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