Top 10 Third Basemen in Major League Baseball in 2025
Some of MLB's best players call third base home, and we rank the top 10 third basemen from the 2025 season.
Our annual series where we look back on the best of the best at each position marches on. So far we have checked off all of the other positions on the infield but still have one to go. Today, we look at third base.
The final top ten third basemen list of the season is an interesting mix of characters. You have your mainstays and your rising talents. There are offensive juggernauts and defensive wizards.
And there was definitely movement on the list from the beginning of the season to the end. Only one player finished in the same spot on the list as they began. Regardless, the final group of ten, plus one honorable mention, is a crew worthy of everyone’s attention.
So without further adieu, let’s dive right in. As a reminder, this isn’t a list of the top ten third basemen based on projected talent or track record, it is merely a list of the best ten primary third basemen from the 2025 season.
Who Fell Off the Top 10 From Our Pre-Season Rankings?
If you look back at our pre-season ranking of the top 10 third basemen in baseball, four players failed to maintain their spot on the list, though one wasn’t necessarily by virtue of poor performance.
Here are the players we thought would be a top 10 third baseman in baseball in 2025, who failed to meet expectations this year.
- No. 2: Rafael Devers, San Francisco Giants*
- No. 3: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves
- No. 9: Mark Vientos, New York Mets
- No. 10: Jordan Westburg, Baltimore Orioles
*Player is listed at a different position in Just Baseball’s current rankings
With a .252/.372/.479 slash line, 33 doubles, 35 homers, and 109 RBIs, Rafael Devers had another very productive season at the plate, it just wasn’t at third base. He was moved to DH after the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman in the offseason and then continued to play either there or at first base after he was traded to the Giants in June.
Instead of bouncing back from a down year in 2024, Austin Riley actually saw his production decline even further. Though he batted a respectable .260, his .737 OPS and 103 wRC+ were his lowest such marks since 2020. An abdomen strain that placed him on the IL twice may have played a big factor.
After a breakout 2024 season, Mark Vientos came crashing back to earth for the Mets in 2025 with a .233/.289/.413 slash line, 21 doubles, and 17 homers in 121 games. It might not have helped that his bat speed has gone from 73.7 mph two years ago (73rd percentile) to 71.2 mph last year (36th percentile).
For the Orioles’ Jordan Westburg, the hope was that he would further build on a decent sophomore campaign. Instead, he largely plateaued, though two IL stints (a hamstring strain in April and an ankle sprain in August) made it hard for him to build any consistency.
Honorable Mention: Carlos Correa, Houston Astros
This honorable mention was unexpected for so many reasons. For one, Carlos Correa had a slow start to the season. Second, it took a change of scenery from Minnesota to Houston to kick his season into gear. But the main reason? Correa hadn’t played a single game at third base before 2025.
In fact, it wasn’t until Correa returned to the Astros at the trade deadline that he manned the hot corner for the first time in his career. He would hold his own at the position, however, while also finding his stroke at the plate upon his homecoming.
In 51 games with the Astros, Correa slashed a very solid .290/.355/.430 with 10 doubles, six homers, 21 RBIs, and a 122 wRC+. Unfortunately, even his return couldn’t help Houston avoid not only losing their division lead but also ultimately missing the playoffs altogether.
**NOTE: These positional rankings are created by ordering the average score from each of our four voters. 15 different players received votes, so some will have ranks higher than 10, depending on the voter.**
The Top 10 Third Basemen in MLB in 2025
10. Zach McKinstry, Detroit Tigers (Preseason: Unranked)
2025 Stats: 144 G, 12 HR, 49 RBI, 19 SB, .259/.333/.438, 114 wRC+, 3.2 fWAR
| Finkelstein | Morgenstern | Treuden | Peterson |
| RANK: 10 | RANK: 10 | RANK: 12 | RANK: 10 |
Two previously unranked players ended up working their way into the top ten third basemen list, the first of which being Zach McKinstry of the Tigers. At age 30, he ended up having the best offensive season of his career.
Not only was McKinstry’s slash line of .259/.333/.438 all career highs across the board, he also did so in nearly every cumulative stat as well, including doubles (23), homers (12), RBIs (49), runs (68), and steals (19).
McKinstry’s 3.2 fWAR tied for seventh-best among qualified primary third basemen, though it could’ve been higher with a better defensive performance. Playing his most innings at third in a season by far, he finished the year with -8 DRS, third worst of any third baseman with at least 550 innings played at the position in 2025, and -1 OAA.
9. Isaac Paredes, Houston Astros (Preseason: 7)
2025 Stats: 102 G, 20 HR, 53 RBI, 0 SB, .254/.352/.458, 128 wRC+, 2.5 fWAR
| Finkelstein | Morgenstern | Treuden | Peterson |
| RANK: 9 | RANK: 9 | RANK: 9 | RANK: 9 |
A right hamstring strain limited Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes to just 102 games in 2025. In the games he did play, he showed why Houston brought him in last offseason to bolster their offense.
Paredes bounced back from a down 2024 season to post a solid .254/.352/.458 slash line. And despite the missed time he still was able to hit 20 homers while driving in 53 runs and scoring another 53 himself.
The 26-year-old has been one of the more patient players at the plate and showed that ability again in 2025 with chase rate, whiff rate, and walk rate all in the 83rd percentile or higher and strikeout rate in a very respectable 74th percentile. Continuing that trend will allow him to be a steady offensive producer for years to come.
8. Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers (Preseason: Honorable Mention)
2025 Stats: 100 G, 19 HR, 67 RBI, 4 SB, .243/.376/.470, 137 wRC+, 2.9 fWAR
| Finkelstein | Morgenstern | Treuden | Peterson |
| RANK: 8 | RANK: 8 | RANK: 8 | RANK: 8 |
So much of the talk regarding the Dodgers offense goes toward the big three of Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman, and rightfully so. But in the background, Max Muncy puts up solid numbers for L.A. year after year, and at age 35 he did so yet again in 2025.
Like Paredes, Muncy missed a big chunk of time due to injury, his an oblique strain. But he put up one of his better overall slash lines in years at .243/.376/.470 and his .846 OPS was fourth-best among the main Dodger starters behind just Ohtani, Freeman, and Will Smith.
Even as Muncy enters his late 30s, his eye for the strike zone continues to be elite in comparison to his peers. Muncy’s 20% chase rate was in the 94th percentile in MLB while his 16.5% walk rate was in the 99th. Those qualities will keep you on an MLB roster for a long time.
7. Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants (Preseason: 5)
2025 Stats: 128 G, 21 HR, 61 RBI, 9 SB, .231/.340/.430, 118 wRC+, 3.7 fWAR
| Finkelstein | Morgenstern | Treuden | Peterson |
| RANK: 7 | RANK: 6 | RANK: 7 | RANK: 7 |
From one former highly-drafted Oakland infielder to another, Matt Chapman spent his second season manning the hot corner over in San Francisco. And though the Giants finished shy of the playoffs yet again, Chapman did everything he could to help get them there.
The 32-year-old’s .231/.340/.430 slash line was right around his career average while his 23 doubles, 21 homers, and 61 RBIs were a little down for a normal year, though he was limited to 128 games due to a hand injury.
Chapman finished sixth among third basemen in fWAR at 3.7 and his patented strong defense was once again a factor. His five DRS were fifth among qualified third basemen while his four OAA placed sixth.
6. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (Preseason: 4)
2025 Stats: 159 G, 27 HR, 95 RBI, 14 SB, .275/.335/.460, 123 wRC+, 3.8 fWAR
| Finkelstein | Morgenstern | Treuden | Peterson |
| RANK: 6 | RANK: 7 | RANK: 6 | RANK: 6 |
If it feels like Manny Machado has been around forever, it’s because he has, as the San Diego third baseman took part in his 14th MLB season in 2025. And yet, the 33-year-old who made his seventh All-Star Game this year continues to be a top ten player at his position.
Machado tied for fourth at his position in fWAR this year at 3.8 and was an effective run producer once again as he slashed .275/.335/.460 and led the Padres with 33 doubles, 27 homers, and 95 RBIs.
Machado doesn’t just continue to hit the ball, he continues to hit the ball hard. His average bat speed (74.5 mph), barrel rate (12.5%), hard hit rate (51.5%), and average exit velocity (92.9 mph) were all 80th percentile or higher in 2025.
5. Alex Bregman, Boston Red Sox (Preseason: 6)
2025 Stats: 114 G, 18 HR, 62 RBI, 1 SB, .273/.360/.462, 125 wRC+, 3.5 fWAR
| Finkelstein | Morgenstern | Treuden | Peterson |
| RANK: 5 | RANK: 4 | RANK: 5 | RANK: 5 |
One of the biggest offseason signings of this past winter was that of long-time Astros third baseman Alex Bregman. The Red Sox won the sweepstakes for his services and the move paid off in a big way.
Bregman almost matched his career averages with a .273/.360/.462 slash line last season and slugged 28 doubles and 18 homers. He was limited to 114 games with a quad strain and wasn’t a cumulative stat qualifier, but his 3.5 fWAR would’ve placed seventh among third basemen.
Reports are that Bregman plans to opt out of his contract with Boston and test the free agent market once again this offseason. You know plenty of teams will be hoping to land a top five MLB third baseman and top three available free agent in all of baseball.
4. Eugenio Suarez, Seattle Mariners (Preseason: 8)
2025 Stats: 159 G, 49 HR, 118 RBI, 4 SB, .228/.298/.526, 125 wRC+, 3.8 fWAR
| Finkelstein | Morgenstern | Treuden | Peterson |
| RANK: 3 | RANK: 4 | RANK: 3 | RANK: 4 |
In recent seasons, Eugenio Suarez has been a low average, high slugging hitter at the plate. In 2025, he took that high slugging part to an entirely new level.
Starting the season with the Diamondbacks before being traded to the AL West champion Mariners, Suarez was a destroyer of baseballs this year, finishing fifth in the league with 49 homers and fourth with 118 RBIs, both career highs. His 125 wRC+ was third among qualified third basemen.
Though he cooled down once he was traded to Seattle, he has been a force once again in the ALCS. Through five games, he is 7-for-22 with a double and two homers and has the Mariners on the precipice of their first World Series appearance ever.
3. Maikel Garcia, Kansas City Royals (Preseason: Unranked)
2025 Stats: 160 G, 16 HR, 74 RBI, 23 SB, .286/.351/.449, 121 wRC+, 5.6 fWAR
| Finkelstein | Morgenstern | Treuden | Peterson |
| RANK: 4 | RANK: 2 | RANK: 4 | RANK: 2 |
It should be with little argument that the biggest surprise on this top ten list is Royals infielder Maikel Garcia. After compiling a combined 3.5 fWAR across his first three MLB seasons, he broke out in 2025 to become one of the top players at his position.
Garcia easily set career highs across the board with his .286/.351/.449 slash line while also leading all qualified third basement with 170 hits and 39 doubles. His 5.6 fWAR was second among that group as well.
As good as he was at the plate, Garcia was even better in the field. His eye-popping 13 DRS and 18 OAA at the hot corner are a huge reason why he is a Gold Glove finalist and leading candidate to win the award.
2. Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays (Preseason: Honorable Mention)
2025 Stats: 154 G, 45 HR, 110 RBI, 7 SB, .264/.311/.535, 129 wRC+, 4.6 fWAR
| Finkelstein | Morgenstern | Treuden | Peterson |
| RANK: 2 | RANK: 3 | RANK: 2 | RANK: 3 |
Speaking of breakout third basemen, the biggest one in the league called Tampa home in 2025. Junior Caminero, all of 22 years old, was given the keys to the hot corner full-time for the Rays last year and he absolutely ran with it.
Caminero was a monster at the plate, slashing .264/.311/.535 with 28 doubles, 45 homers, and 110 RBIs in 154 games, fully justifying his former top prospect status for the team. His 129 wRC+ was second among MLB third baseman behind only our No. 1 player on this list.
That production shouldn’t be a surprise when you consider that Caminero had the second fastest bat speed in all of MLB (78.6 mph) behind only the Pirates’ Oneil Cruz. That, plus his increased comfortability at the plate, allowed him to improve his average EV (92.4 mph) and hard hit rate (51.4%) up above the 90th percentiles.
1. Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians (Preseason: 1)
2025 Stats: 158 G, 30 HR, 85 RBI, 44 SB, .283/.360/.503, 133 wRC+, 6.3 fWAR
| Finkelstein | Morgenstern | Treuden | Peterson |
| RANK: 1 | RANK: 1 | RANK: 1 | RANK: 1 |
I mean, was there ever any doubt? Jose Ramirez has been the class of his position for several of his MLB seasons and the same rang true once again in 2025.
Ramirez slashed an outstanding .283/.360/.503 in 158 games with 34 doubles, 30 homers, and 85 RBIs. Had he not been his normal amazing self, the Guardians might not have been able to go on their incredible late-season run that resulted in a come-from-behind NL Central title.
The 33-year-old posted his fourth season of 30 or more home runs and, barring injury, should cross both the 300 home run and 1,000 RBI milestones for his career in 2026. That should help cement his status as one of the best third basemen of this generation.
Written by
Matt Carroll is a writer for Just Baseball and former site expert at Reviewing the Brew. He studied journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and currently…