30 Days of MLB Rankings: Top Ten Third Basemen

Check out my previous rankings from this series:

Catchers 30-21 | Catchers 20-11  | Catchers 10-1  | First Base 30-21 | First Basemen 20-11 | First Basemen 10-1 | Second Basemen 30-21 | Second Basemen 20-11 | Second Basemen 10-1 | Third Basemen 30-21 | Third Basemen 20-11

I’ll say this from the start; this top ten third base ranking is arguably the strongest list in the entire 30-day series. On other position lists, many of these players in the 10-5 range would easily crack the top five. Players in the 11-15 range from yesterday would easily crack the top ten.  

10. Jeff McNeil, New York Mets 

2019: 133 games, .318/.384/.531 splits, .916 OPS, 23 Home Runs, 75 RBIs

I bet you didn’t expect to see Jeff McNeil crack the top ten third base heading into last season. After hitting just three homers in his rookie year, McNeil broke out and earned an all-star nod in his second MLB season in 2019. While his contact numbers were expected, McNeil’s display of power was not. If he can build on his success from last year, McNeil should continue to fly up this list going forward. 

9. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres

2019: 156 games, .256/.334/.462 splits, .796 OPS, 32 Home Runs, 85 RBIs

Manny Machado falling to ninth represents just how deep the third base position is. In his first season with the Padres, Machado struggled at times to adjust. Most notably, his OPS dropped well over 100 points, and his average was down. Petco Park is a tough hitter’s ballpark, so that may have contributed to his struggles. Defensively, he remains one of the best at third base in MLB. 

8. Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

2019: 147 games, .282/.382/.521 splits, .903 OPS, 31 Home Runs, 77 RBIs

The 2016 NL MVP, Kris Bryant, had a bounce-back year in 2019, following an injury-riddled 2018 campaign. Heading into a contract for Bryant, trade rumors have swirled around his name. Regardless, Bryant remains a top offensive power threat at his position. However, he struggles at times with his glove. With DH coming to the NL, it’s possible that the Cubs could consider moving Bryant to that position.  

7. Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox 

2019: 156 games, .311/.361/.555 splits, .916 OPS, 32 Home Runs, 115 RBIs

On a disappointing Red Sox squad, Rafael Devers had a breakout year, finishing twelfth in the AL MVP voting. Devers led the AL with 54 doubles, and can hit the ball to all parts of the field. His defense needs work, but at age 23, Devers deserves to be mentioned among the other bright young stars in MLB. He should only continue to rise up this ranking. 

T-5. Eugenio Suarez, Cincinnati Reds

2019: 159 games, .271/.358/.572 splits, .930 OPS, 49 Home Runs, 103 RBIs

Eugenio Suarez vs. Josh Donaldson was the toughest decision I had to make, and ultimately I’m ruling it a tie between the two at the fifth spot. Suarez had a breakout year in 2019, finishing second in MLB with 49 home runs, only behind Pete Alonso. At the plate, Suarez has the advantage over Donaldson. However, in the field, Suarez was below league-average and Donalson has an advantage in that category.  

T-5. Josh Donaldson, Minnesota Twins

2019: 155 games, .259/.379/.521 splits, .900 OPS, 37 Home Runs, 94 RBIs

After a horrendous year in 2018, Josh Donaldson revived his career and then some with Atlanta last season. The 2015 AL MVP posted 37 home runs in the heart of the Braves’ lineup, following a season where he had only eight. In the field, Donaldson is one of the best in the MLB as he logged a 15 Rdrs at third last year. It will be interesting to see how he performs with a new team in 2020.

4. Matt Chapman, Oakland Athletics

2019: 156 games, .249/.342/.506 splits, .848 OPS, 36 Home Runs, 91 RBIs

If it weren’t for Nolan Arenado, Matt Chapman would be universally looked at as the best defensive third basemen in MLB. Chapman rarely makes mistakes and earned his second consecutive gold glove in 2019. Not to mention, he also hit 36 home runs at the plate. If he can improve his ability to get on base and raise his OPS, Chapman could be headed towards the top spot in the future.  

3. Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels

2019: 146 games, .319/.412/.599 splits, 1.010 OPS, 34 Home Runs, 126 RBIs

An above-average player for the first six years of his career, Anthony Rendon took his game to the next level in 2019. Rendon’s OPS of 1.010 was absolutely ridiculous and he led the NL in RBIs. Defensively, Rendon was right above league-average and only committed 11 errors in 146 games in 2019. Rendon was able to parlay his breakout year into a 7 yr 245M deal with the Angels, and it will be interesting to see how he performs this season.  

2. Alex Bregman, Houston Astros

2019: 156 games, .296/.423/.592 splits, 1.015 OPS, 41 Home Runs, 112 RBIs

At age 25, Alex Bregman had an incredible year at the plate in 2019, finishing second in the AL MVP race behind Mike Trout. He’s incredible at getting on base, leading the AL with 119 walks. With the glove, Bregman is well above-average as he finished with an 8 Rdrs at third in 2019. On most of the other ranking lists, Bregman likely would have finished first. Incredibly, he’s still only 26.  

1. Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies

2019: 155 games, .315/.379/.583 splits, .962 OPS, 41 Home Runs, 118 RBIs

After another incredible year in 2019, Nolan Arenado remains arguably the best two-way player in MLB. At the plate, he hit well above .300 while also hitting 41 home runs. Defensively, Arenado earned a gold glove for the seventh season in a row. Arenado has earned a gold glove every year of his career as he rarely makes mistakes in the field. At age 29, Arenado remains in the heart of his prime and should continue to be one of the best players in MLB for years to come.  

Come back tomorrow for part one of my MLB shortstop ranking!

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