TOP 10 Third Basemen 2026

9. Jordan Westburg, Baltimore Orioles

Westburg is the one exception from this list that is not a seasoned veteran or on a new team. His 2025 season was likely one to forget, as he missed signifcant time due to injury, and when he was on the field, it was not the same production he had in his impressive rookie season in 2024. This is counting on him bouncing back to that form, something that is certainly not an 100% guarantee. That 2024 season could have been a one and done, but I'm sensing there is going to be some sort of middle ground between the past two seasons that he will find a home in. What Westburg offers is great slugging and barrel rates, and a well above average sprint speed. I think he will be an above average third basemen, but he does feel like he has a ceiling for at least this season.

8. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres

This is one that I am going out on a limb here. This does feel low for a guy like Machado, but my formula wasn't a huge fan of Machado's 2025 season. His xWOBA over the past season has been league average. What has been carrying Machado's bat is his power numbers, like barrel rate, and exit velo. Now naturally, as ball players age, those numbers go on a steady decrease, which Machado's have, although be it slowly. I also see this 2026 Padres team not being very great, and the lineup around Machado isn't going to give him many oppurtunities for runs created. I think on the surface Machado seems like he would be top 5, but I think there is going to be some regression in 2026.

7. Bo Bichette, New York Mets

I think Bo Bichette is both overrated and underrated. I think some people see him as a premier player in the sport. And while I can see why with the batting averages he puts up and his last name, but he just simply isnt a premier player in the sport. Now, I see some people act like he is going to be a non-factor because of his injuries recently and somewhat lackluster production the last couple of seasons. However, the truth is that he doesn't whiff or strikeout very often, and when he does hit the ball, he squares it up and hits it hard. He is a excellent bat. Now his defense and baserunning has dipped, but that is also partially due to injuries. I would expect him to return to a league average at best there, but he is learning a new position relatively at third base. I would guess how you outlook Bo's season is similar to how you would outlook the Mets season. If you are high on the Mets, you are likely high on Bo. If you don't trust the Mets, then you don't trust Bo, whether it be production or injury reasons. I am cautiously optimistic here, as I expect some growing pains but overall a solid season from Bo.

6. Eugenio Suarez, Cincinnati Reds

I am dumbfounded at the fact no one offered Suarez a contract until he took a team friendly deal with the Reds. He hit 49 homeruns last season. You don't just stumble into that kind of production, nor is it likely a fluke whatsoever. Now many people would point at his poor defense, high strikeout rate, and inability to hit for average. Sure, he does strikeout a lot, doesn't play a great third base, and his xBA is very poor. But he was immensely productive in 2025, that isn't going to fall off the map. He still pulls flyballs at a clip that rivals Paredes, and he still barrels and hits the ball very hard. He is going to provide value with his bat, and I would expect him to get traded to a contender at the deadline and his production increase with a greater lineup around him. I just personally can't see him having a 49 home run season, and then falling off production-wise.

5. Alex Bregman, Chicago Cubs

I think by now you know what you are getting with Alex Bregman. He has one of the best plate approaches in the sport. Walks a lot, doesn't strikeout a lot, and has immense quality of contact. The good news is that that kind of stuff doesn't go away with age, if anything it gets better. Bregman is just really solid. I wouldn't expect him in any MVP conversations, but I would expect him to have essentially an all-star floor. I think he has an average glove, and slightly below average baserunning, but I mean you just know what you are getting with Bregman. That being said, I think there are 4 players who are going to be worth more in 2026.

4. Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants

Matt Chapman is really good at baseball. Many know him as the elite defender at the hot corner, but his bat is actually really consistent and impressive. He walks at an impressive 13% rate, and he hits the ball very very hard with a 90th percentile exit velo and 88th percentile bat speed. For a 32 year old, having raw under the hood power numbers like that is really good, especially when you pair that with gold glove defense. Quite frankly, there isn't a glaring hole in his game. He is good at just about everything. I think people are going to have to start respecting Chapman and the Giants.

3. Maikel Garcia, Kansas City Royals

Garcia is the 25 year old version of Bregman, plus he can field. 17 OAA at the hot corner, while posting a .800 OPS. Oh and he stole 23 bases. If you aren't familiar with his game, then I encourage you to look into the hot corner in Kansas City. To put it simply, he is 90th percentile or better in the following: squared-up % (98), chase % (91), whiff % (92), K % (93), and OAA (98). Combo that with being 25 years old on a budding Royals team, I think Garcia builds on his elite 2025 campaign.

2. Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays

Caminero is one of the most special talents the MLB has to offer. At 22 years old, he has an 100th percentile bat speed. Meaning: No one swings the bat faster and harder than him. That matters for a multitude of reasons, but primarily for the fact that when he hits the ball, he hits is harder than everyone else. Now, his plate discipline isn't great, but it is improving as time goes on in his young career. These are the kind of profiles we saw with Ronald Acuna and Fernando Tatis Jr before they became the superstars that we know today. The only difference is that Caminero is already producing with 45 home runs. I think that tells you how high I am on him, and how high his ceiling can be, is if he can hit 45 home runs, and I still don't think he has fully arrived/broke out yet. It wouldn't be ridiculous if he goes into 2027 as the top third baseman.

1. Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

But J-Ram is your best third baseman in the sport. He has been for years and years, and I think he will at least be the best at the hot corner in 2026. If Aaron Judge didn't exist, this man could have multiple MVP awards. He is the 5-tool player in the MLB. Want someone who hits for average? He has a 98th percentile xBA, and he walks as often as he strikes out. Hit for power? has a top end max exit velocity, pulls flyballs, and just hit 30 homers. Baserunning/speed? He has a 78th percentile sprint speed with FOURTY FOUR stolen bases at age 33. Glove? 7 OAA which is good for 93rd percentile. Arm? Okay, that is a bit average, but it is certainly by no means bad. The point is: This is arguably the most well rounded player the sport has had to offer for years (Outside Shohei). If we still aren't respecting his Hall of Fame career in 2026, then what is the point for all of this discourse anyways? Luckily though, I think people have started to recognize J-Ram for the elite player that he is.

2/17/26