Who is the Best Third Baseman in Baseball?
Third base is one of the most important positions in baseball. The third baseman is the last line of defense for a team and the anchor of the infield. The best third basemen not only have to have a strong arm and good defensive skills, but they must also be able to hit for power and average. So who is the best third baseman in baseball?
Third Basemen on the Offensive
When it comes to offense, Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies is the best third baseman in baseball. He is the only third baseman to hit over .300 and exceed 40 home runs in the past three seasons. He is also a two-time National League MVP and five-time Gold Glove winner.
Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs is also a great offensive third baseman. He hit .282 with 31 home runs and a .882 OPS in 2019. He also has a career .278 batting average and .858 OPS. He won the National League MVP in 2016 and is a three-time All-Star.
Defensively Solid Third Basemen
When it comes to defense, Anthony Rendon of the Los Angeles Angels is one of the best. He won the National League Gold Glove Award in 2019, and is a four-time All-Star. He had a .972 fielding percentage in 2019 and committed only eight errors.
Matt Chapman of the Oakland A’s is also a great defensive third baseman. He has won two consecutive Gold Glove Awards and had a .977 fielding percentage in 2019. He also had a career-high 14 defensive runs saved in 2019.
Other Notable Third Basemen
Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros is one of the most complete third basemen in the game. He is a two-time All-Star and was the American League MVP in 2019. He is also a great fielder, with a .972 fielding percentage in 2019.
Josh Donaldson of the Minnesota Twins is a great all-around player. He is a four-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger. He also had a .964 fielding percentage in 2019 and had a career-high nine defensive runs saved.
Justin Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers is another great third baseman. He is a three-time All-Star and has a .973 fielding percentage. He also had a .312 batting average and .850 OPS in 2019.
Comparison of the Best Third Basemen
- Nolan Arenado – .314 batting average, 41 home runs, .935 OPS, 5 Gold Glove Awards, 2 NL MVP Awards
- Kris Bryant – .282 batting average, 31 home runs, .882 OPS, 1 NL MVP Award, 3 All-Star appearances
- Anthony Rendon – .319 batting average, 34 home runs, .945 OPS, 1 Gold Glove Award, 4 All-Star appearances
- Matt Chapman – .249 batting average, 24 home runs, .785 OPS, 2 Gold Glove Awards, 2 All-Star appearances
- Alex Bregman – .296 batting average, 41 home runs, .926 OPS, 2 All-Star appearances, 1 AL MVP Award
- Josh Donaldson – .259 batting average, 37 home runs, .900 OPS, 2 Silver Slugger Awards, 4 All-Star appearances
- Justin Turner – .312 batting average, 26 home runs, .850 OPS, 3 All-Star appearances
Conclusion
When it comes to the best third baseman in baseball, the choice is clear – Nolan Arenado. He is the only third baseman to hit over .300 and exceed 40 home runs in the past three seasons, and is a five-time Gold Glove winner and two-time National League MVP. He is also a great fielder, with a .985 fielding percentage in 2019.
However, there are many other great third basemen in the game. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rendon, Matt Chapman, Alex Bregman, Josh Donaldson, and Justin Turner are all great players and deserve recognition for their contributions to the game.
Future of Third Base
With the emergence of young stars such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Yoan Moncada, and Rafael Devers, the future of third base looks bright. These players have the potential to be the next generation of great third basemen and could lead their teams to success for years to come.
Third Base Hall of Fame
There have been many great third basemen throughout the history of baseball. Some of the greatest to ever play the position include Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Wade Boggs, Chipper Jones, and Eddie Mathews. All of these players have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Best of the Best
When it comes to the best third baseman in baseball, Nolan Arenado is the clear choice. His combination of power and defensive skills make him one of the most complete players in the game. He is the only third baseman to hit over .300 and exceed 40 home runs in the past three seasons, and is a five-time Gold Glove winner and two-time National League MVP.
Takeaways
The best third baseman in baseball is Nolan Arenado. He is the only third baseman to hit over .300 and exceed 40 home runs in the past three seasons, and is a five-time Gold Glove winner and two-time National League MVP. However, there are many other great third basemen in the game, including Kris Bryant, Anthony Rendon, Matt Chapman, Alex Bregman, Josh Donaldson, and Justin Turner. The future of third base is bright, with young stars such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Yoan Moncada, and Rafael Devers emerging as the next generation of great third basemen. Finally, there have been many great third basemen throughout the history of baseball, including Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Wade Boggs, Chipper Jones, and Eddie Mathews, all of whom have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.