MLB Network's "The Shredder" Ranks The Top Third Baseman In Baseball, Lets Break This List Down
MLB Network does this every offseason, they have their computer, "The Shredder", pick it's top 10 at each position, and then the hosts give theirs. The shredder uses stats and analytics and spits out it's list, totally normal for todays game. Its not just all offense either, it's the entire package of the player. The hosts like Brian Kelly, Mike Lowell, Harold Reynolds and others obviously have the human element and compile their lists with things other than stats, hence why theirs are normally better. No change here as The Shredder ranked the top 10 Third Baseman in baseball RIGHT NOW and man are there some good players at the hot corner. Let's take a deeper look at the list.
1. José Ramírez - Cleveland
One of the best players, not just third baseman in all of baseball over the past few seasons, Ramirez has earned his spot at the top of this list. A few years back he wouldn't have been able to sniff top 3 with the names like Machado, Arenado, Donaldson, and Bryant in the league, but he's surpassed them now. Last season he was a straight up stud, .270 average (10th among 3B), 39 homers (1st among 3B), 105 RBIs (2nd among 3B), 156 hits (5th among 3B) in 157 games, 106 walks (1st among 3B), only 80 Ks, and a OBP of .387 (2nd among 3B). He rode those stats to an All Star game, a Silver Slugger, and a third place finish in MVP. Defensively he's pretty damn good too, only 11 errors in his 137 games at third, he's no slouch at the hot corner. Ramirez has quietly turned into a top player in baseball, I can live with an argument of him at the top of the list, but there may be another guy that I'd take over him.
2. Justin Turner - Los Angeles
Umm, what? Turner was hurt for a decent amount of last season so obviously his numbers were down, but listing him as the #2 third baseman in baseball? Not a chance. Turner was at the hot corner for 96 games in 2018 and over the season hit .312, with 14 homers, 52 RBIs, 47 walks, 55 strikeouts, and a .406 OBP. He only made 10 errors and posted a fielding % of .962 when healthy. He's a good player on a very good team, but I'm not sure what vaults him up to #2 on this list. Don't get me wrong, I'd love him on the Orioles, but there are several guys I'd take over Turner. Weird move by The Shredder.
#3 Nolan Arenado - Colorado
Beast. Just an absolute BEAST. Arenado is arguably one of the best players in baseball and if he played anywhere that wasn't Colorado, could be up there with Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and some of the others as the face of baseball. He literally can do it all, he's a freak with the bat, probably the best fielder in the game at any spot, and is just a fiery awesome player. We know he plays in Colorado so people take his offensive stats with a grain of salt. No matter how you look at it, the numbers are impressive. 38 bombs, 110 RBIs, 175 hits in 156 games, 38 doubles, .297 average, and an OBP of .374. He's absolutely one of the most talented athletes in this sport, and has been for a while. His numbers over the last four seasons are insane, just insane. I love me some Nolan Arenado.
#4 Anthony Rendon - Washington
For my money, Tony 2Bags is one of the most underrated players in baseball. Maybe it's because I've seen him come into the league and develop in the DMV area, but man do I love watching him. He posts a consistent 20 HR/80 RBI season almost every year and is often overlooked in that once powerful Nats lineup. He can play all over the diamond, but has primarily played at third the last few years and hasn't missed a beat. He doesn't strike out a ton, hits for power, average, gets on base, he really can do it all. In his 136 games at third last year, he only made 6 errors, good for a fielding % of .981. He's not one of the big name guys, but he's as consistent as all of them, I love Rendon and how he plays.
#5 Alex Bregman - Houston
Talk about a guy who you want to buy stock in, Alex Bregman is going to be one of the biggest star in baseball. Whether it's him trying to get with Kaycee, trying to troll Nathan Eovaldi, or just dropping dick on homers in Houston, Bregman is a stud and a half and is trending upwards. He had a good first year and a half, but last year he really burst onto the scene with 31 homers, 103 driven in, 96 walks, 85 Ks, a .286 average, and an OBP of .396. Sky is the limit for this kid, and I mean kid because he's only 24 which is insane. He's going to be an absolute star in this league, it's only a matter of time before he's mentioned with the top guys in the sport, not just at third.
#6 Matt Carpenter - St. Louis
Carpenter had himself a season last year, even though he only played in 76 games at third, he was put at #6 by The Shredder. He also spent time at first for 96 games, and 11 at second, so he can play all over. His offensive game is what exploded last season. Before 2018 he was more of a 20 homers guy with around 65 RBIs. Last year he shattered those numbers, hitting 36 bombs, drove in 81, struck out 152 times, walked 108 times, hit .257, and posted an OBP of .374. He had a few very hot months and parlayed that into a top 10 MVP season. Carpenter is a damn good player, but at 33, I'm not sure he is going to be posting those numbers. Moving forward I don't think he'll be this high.
#7 Matt Chapman - Oakland
This is a name we are going to hear a lot in the next few years. Matt Chapman BURST onto the scene this season posting a bWAR of 8.2 for the surprise Athletics while playing insane defense as he took home the Platinum Glove for the AL. You'll look at his 20 errors and ask how he won the Gold Glove and Platinum Glove, it's because despite those errors, he's unreal, just fantastic with the glove. The bat isn't half bad either, 152 hits, 42 doubles, 24 homers, 68 RBIs, a .278 average with an OBP of .356. He's still a very young guy and only just completed his second season, first full season, this is a name we are going to keep noticing for a long time.
#8 Kris Bryant - Chicago
Seems like just yesterday Bryant was the talk of baseball and how he would change the game. Fast forward a few years and he's being ranked as the eighth best ranked guy at the hot corner. Bryant struggled with injuries in 2018 and that attributed to his drop in the rankings. He's still an unreal player, just didn't stay healthy and only played in 102 games. The numbers are subpar, as expected because he missed 60 games, but he was still productive offensively. He's still being moved around the field a decent amount, but played a majority of the season at third. If healthy he's arguably a top 4 or 5 third baseman, look for Bryant to rebound in 2019 if healthy.
# 9 Josh Donaldson - Atlanta
Last season was a wash year for JD, one of my favorite players in the league. Despite the injuries, only playing in 52 games, and being traded from Toronto to Cleveland, he still made The Shredder's list at 9 overall. In the 52 games total he hit 8 homers, drove in 23, hit .246, and still had an OBP of .352. 38 of the 52 games came at third base, but it was obvious he needed to be a DH, he looks older than 33, and played like it. We will see if he can bounce back in Atlanta this season.
# 10 Eugenio Suarez - Cincinnati
Casual baseball fans most likely have 0 clue who Eugenio Suarez is, and that is a damn shame. Over the past few seasons he has been a damn good player, you just don't know about him because he plays for the Reds. 34 homers and 104 RBIs last season is impressive, regardless of who you are, Suarez did that. He also had 149 hits in 143 games, hit .283, and had an OBP of .366. Suarez is up there for most underrated guys out there, and again, it's because he plays for Cinci. They are a non-factor every season so he gets ignored, I'd love for him to get more shine in a big market. His defense needs some work, but he's not the worst fielder out there, if he was better with the glove he would more likely garner more attention as well.
So there is The Shredder's top 10 list, it's okay. Some questionable placements, so let me make MY list, take notes, Shredder.
RDT's Top 10 MLB Third Baseman
1. Nolan Arenado
2. José Ramírez
3. Alex Bregman
4. Anthony Rendon
5. Matt Chapman
6. Kris Bryant
7. Matt Carpenter
8. Miguel Andujar
9. Justin Turner
10. Eugenio Suarez
There is your list, folks. Lots of talent at this position, and it shows.