A rating of the highest third basemen in 2024 would possibly look somewhat totally different than it did a yr in the past. Effectively, possibly not too totally different. There are at the least a few names who’re already completed sufficient to be talked about among the many greatest third basemen in MLB history.
However what if we simply restrict our record to the perfect third basemen in 2024?
Finest MLB Third Basemen in 2024
If we solely take into consideration the highest third basemen for 2024, who can be on that record? These aren’t simply the gamers with a powerful monitor report.
These are the gamers who’re set to shine through the upcoming season. After cautious consideration, we put collectively a rating of the ten greatest third basemen in 2024.
10. Josh Jung
The Rangers are little doubt thrilled with how Josh Jung contributed to their World Collection title final yr. The rookie hit .266 with an OPS of .782 through the common season after which proceeded to hit .308 with eight extra-base hits in 17 postseason video games.
There are definitely some tough components to his sport, most notably his strikeout charge. Nevertheless, Jung confirmed sufficient promise as a rookie in 2023 to make us assume he’ll be a high quality third baseman for a few years to return.
9. Matt Chapman
Don’t let Matt Chapman’s lengthy free company saga idiot you as a result of he’s nonetheless among the many prime gamers at his place. Defensively, there may be nonetheless no person higher. He gained the Gold Glove final yr, giving him 4 within the final six seasons, to not point out two Platinum Gloves from earlier in his profession.
Offensively, Chapman put collectively a stable if unspectacular marketing campaign for the Blue Jays in 2023. He managed 17 house runs and an OPS of .754. These numbers are down somewhat from his profession averages, however he can nonetheless hit and play wonderful protection, and there’s a lot of worth in that.
8. Isaac Paredes
Depart it as much as a member of the Rays to sneak up on everybody and grow to be top-of-the-line third basemen in baseball out of nowhere. That’s precisely what Isaac Paredes did final season, smashing 31 homers and posting an OPS of .840.
And not using a confirmed monitor report earlier than final season, the 25-year-old could also be a one-season surprise. However he appears to be like like he’ll have endurance and can put collectively one other spectacular marketing campaign this season.
7. Nolan Arenado
There’s maybe no extra constant third baseman in baseball than Nolan Arenado. He’s been an all-star yearly since 2015 and gained each Gold Glove Award from 2013 to 2022. The one caveat is that he didn’t win a Gold Glove or a Silver Slugger final season.
His offensive numbers dropped significantly from his 2022 manufacturing. This provides us some motive to fret about him, particularly since he benefited a lot from enjoying at Coors Area early in his profession. Arenado isn’t completed but, however he’s maybe not among the many better of the perfect third basemen in baseball.
6. Alex Bregman
Since he first arrived within the huge leagues in 2016, Alex Bregman has been one of the productive third basemen.
He definitely peaked in 2019 and hasn’t acquired all-star honors or gained a Silver Slugger Award since then. However he’s hit 48 complete homers over the previous two seasons and remains to be going sturdy heading into 2024.
5. Gunnar Henderson
Following his rookie season, the sky is the restrict for Gunnar Henderson. Baltimore’s third baseman solely turned 22 halfway by final season, but he gained Rookie of the Yr and Silver Slugger honors. The baseball world is ready to see what Henderson does as a follow-up after racking up 28 homers, 82 RBI, and 10 stolen bases to go together with his .814 OPS.
Full disclosure, there’s a probability that Henderson performs a good quantity of shortstop this season. However his future is probably going on the sizzling nook, and he’s already among the many greatest third basemen in baseball.
4. Rafael Devers
On the heels of signing a 10-year extension price $313.5 million, Rafael Devers put collectively one other sturdy season in 2023 and gained Silver Slugger honors. Even with six seasons within the huge leagues underneath his belt, Devers is barely 27 and within the prime of his profession proper now.
So long as he stays wholesome, Devers is a digital lock for 30 homers and 100 RBI. However he additionally has a a lot increased ceiling, which is why he belongs among the many elite third basemen within the sport.
3. Manny Machado
Clearly, Manny Machado’s 2023 season wasn’t what he wished it to be, particularly on the heels of signing an 11-year contract extension. However even in a down yr, he hit 30 house runs.
Machado can also be only one yr faraway from being an All-MLB First-Group member. Machado remains to be too younger at age 31 to put in writing off final season as something however a blip on the radar. He ought to get again to being an all-star-caliber third basemen in 2024.
2. Jose Ramirez
There’s maybe no third baseman in baseball proper now who’s been an elite participant over such an prolonged time frame as Jose Ramirez. The 31-year-old has 5 all-star choices and 4 Silver Sluggers on his resume.
He additionally had a 30-30 season in 2018 and was an All-MLB Second-Group choice final yr. Ramirez has posted an OPS over .800 in eight straight seasons and has carried the Cleveland lineup for lengthy stretches throughout that interval. Equally necessary, we see no proof that Ramirez will decelerate anytime quickly.
1. Austin Riley
Even with a robust record of candidates on the place, there ought to be little doubt that Austin Riley is the perfect third baseman in MLB proper now. He’s been a Silver Slugger winner and an All-MLB First-Group choice in two of the final three seasons.
Riley has amassed at the least 90 RBI in three straight seasons. He’s additionally averaged 36 house runs per season throughout these three years. The kicker is that Riley will flip 27 in April, so he’s solely now coming into his prime. In different phrases, the 2024 season might be his greatest season but.
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