Ranking top 10 MLB third basemen heading into the 2025 season ft. Jose Ramirez and Manny Machado
Third base is a strong position in MLB. There are a lot of potential Hall of Famers, defensive wizards and true superstars manning the hot corner. Heading into the 2025 season, these 10 players are the best of the best at the position.
Best MLB 3B right now
10) Nolan Arenado
Nolan Arenado's offense may have waned in 2024 to a 102 wRC+, which is barely above average, but his defense was still solid. He had 3.1 fWAR, which is the 10th-most of all third basemen.
9) Joey Ortiz
Joey Ortiz had a breakout season with the Milwaukee Brewers last year. He had a 104 wRC+ and 3.1 fWAR, which was tied for the 10th-most at the position. His defensive rating was 11.3 — higher than Arenado's.
8) Alec Bohm
Alec Bohm struggled in the second half of last season, but his overall body of work is still good. The Philadelphia Phillies star had 3.5 fWAR and a 115 wRC+. If those are his full-season numbers, he will still be one of the best third basemen.
7) Manny Machado
Manny Machado may be getting older, but the San Diego Padres star still hasn't stopped being a top-tier third baseman. 3.6 fWAR and a 122 wRC+ are still among the best marks at the position.
6) Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. moved to third base with the New York Yankees and recorded eight outs above average in half a season. He was brilliant there and his power and baserunning make him one of the most dynamic third basemen.
5) Eugenio Suarez
Eugenio Suarez might get overlooked in third base conversations, but he is quietly putting together a nice career. The Arizona Diamondbacks star had 3.8 fWAR and a 115 wRC+ in 2024. His 5.1 defensive rating was also solid.
4) Alex Bregman
Alex Bregman remains unsigned, but it's not because he's not a good third baseman anymore. Even after a dismal start, he rebounded to record the third-most fWAR at the spot and had a 118 wRC+.
3) Rafael Devers
Rafael Devers had the second-best wRC+ of any third baseman last year, proving that he is a unique offensive talent. His defense holds him back; however, 4.1 fWAR is still a good total and makes him one of the best players at the position.
2) Matt Chapman
Matt Chapman was brilliant in 2024. His defense was exceptional as always (11.6 defensive rating), but he also had a 121 wRC+. It amounted to an excellent 5.5 fWAR and cemented the San Francisco Giants' decision to extend him.
1) Jose Ramirez
Jose Ramirez remains the best third baseman in baseball and it doesn't look like he's going to be removed from the pedestal any time soon. He nearly had a 40-40 season and had the most fWAR at the spot by a full win.