2024 MLB Power Rankings: Who are the best third basemen?

There’s talent aplenty at the third position presently in Major League Baseball, as several excel with the twig and at the hot corner defensively. However, there are a few that stand out and have stood out for years. So, who are the best third basemen in MLB heading into 2024? We have our picks, so let’s go over our top five.

5. Alex Bregman

There are strong arguments to be made for Isaac Paredes and Rafael Devers, both of whom had strong seasons at the plate last year. However, we’ll go with Alex Bregman at #5, the Astros infielder who’s excelled at the plate and held his own defensively in recent years.

The 2023 campaign was a strong one for Bregman, who struggled early on but got going as the year went on. Bregman finished the year with 25 home runs, a solid .804 OPS, and the fourth-most total bases (274) among third basemen last season. No third baseman over the last three seasons (min. 1,250 PA) has a higher on-base percentage (.362) than the soon-to-be free agent.

4. Austin Riley

2023 was yet another strong season offensively for Austin Riley, who has more home runs (108) and a higher cumulative OPS (.878) than any other third baseman over the last three years (min. 1,250 PA). Riley finished last season with 37 home runs, one ahead of Max Muncy for most among third basemen. The 26-year-old was also the leader in total bases (328) and OPS (.861) among players at the position.

Defensively, Riley is not a standout at the hot corner. However, the Braves infielder has held his own there. Riley’s 0 Outs Above Average last season wasn’t great but it was an improvement from his 2021-22 (-11) cumulative OAA.

3. Manny Machado

It’s hard to have a conversation about the best MLB third basemen in 2024 without Manny Machado, who’s been dominant both in the field and at the plate for the past decade. Now, Machado didn’t have as good a year offensively in 2023 as compared to 2022. Still, Machado — who finished fourth in OPS (.840) among third basemen from 2021-23 — finished with 30 home runs, 91 RBI, and a .782 OPS. It was Machado’s seventh 30+ home run campaign.

Machado’s season in 2023 was somewhat limited thanks to “tennis elbow.” Machado was limited to being a DH over the last few weeks of the year but he did have surgery to repair a right extensor tendon in October.

2. Nolan Arenado

For the first time in his MLB career, Nolan Arenado failed to win the NL Gold Glove at third as Ke’Bryan Hayes won it for the first time. It was that kind of year for Arenado, who posted his lowest bWAR (2.4) of his career in a full 162-game season and his worst OPS (.774) since his rookie campaign in 2013. Although, Arenado’s offensive numbers (.266 AVG. 26 HR, 257 TB) weren’t terrible by any means

The Cardinals will look for a rebound season from Arenado as St. Louis attempts to make it back to the postseason after missing out last year.

1. Jose Ramirez

The top third baseman on our list is Jose Ramirez, a threat both at the plate and in the field. Offensively, Ramirez had another fine season in 2023, as he finished fourth among third basemen in OPS (.831), second in total bases (290), and was the only player at the hot corner to have a 20-20 campaign last year.

Ramirez’s power, speed, and ability to get on base is impressive. The same can be said for his glove, as the Guardians third baseman owned a +16 OAA from 2021-23.