MLB Network Top 10 3rd Baseman

[KevinC]

Top 3 Things I learned from MLB Network experts:

There are 4 better 3B in MLB than Arenado.
Matt Chapman is not in the top 1/3 of all 3B in baseball.
DJ Lemahieu is a 3B.



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fms1izqWYA8CeLM?format=jpg&name=small

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

I would move Devers to #3, Arenado to #4, and Riley to #5… but the separation between them is very thin in my book.

[NCWolf]

I love Austin Riley. But his defense is so inferior to Arenado's. Even though I like the bat better you cannot put him that high until Arenado regresses more than he has.

Machado
Ramirez
Arenado
Devers
Riley
Bregman

[awz50]

Austin Riley in no universe is better than Nolan

Riley will be better eventually but not yet

[BigSlim16]

I don’t think it’s that egregious. I’d probably have it:

Machado
J-Ram
Riley
Arenado
Devers
Bregman
Diaz
Chapman
Turner
Muncy

[Robles Fan]

Not exactly sure what criteria they are looking at. But I thought Arenado pretty much put together the best overall season last year than any other third basemen. So why would they rank him so low?

[DioBrando]

Really don't know how Arenado isn't 1st or at worst 2nd...list is a joke

[Stech36]

Really don't know how Arenado isn't 1st or at worst 2nd...list is a joke

Yeah… it’s really Machado and Arenado.. then the rest. Well Ramirez might be right there with them.

[eye4talent]

Not exactly sure what criteria they are looking at. But I thought Arenado pretty much put together the best overall season last year than any other third basemen. So why would they rank him so low?


They rely upon the Shredder, which is some computer program that continues to underwhelm with its rankings.


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[eye4talent]

The position is top-heavy but overall shallow. But it’s not so shallow that LeMahieu, Muncy, and Diaz should all be in the Top 10. And it’s a complete failure that Chapman isn’t on the list. That’s nonsense.

I’d rather see Eugenio Suarez and Alec Bohm in there than LeMahieu/Muncy/Diaz. And heck, let’s see a nod to the future and give Jose Miranda a spot before any of them make it.

Machado
Arenado
Ramirez
Devers
Riley
Bregman
Chapman
Turner
Suarez
Bohm


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[theshowandme]

Arenado is not 5th on any list when it comes to 3B, currently or all time.

[fabiani12333]

Machado was 7th and Arenado was 8th on last year's list:
https://dodgerblue.com/mlb-top-10-third-basemen-right-now-justin-turner-ranked-by-the-shredder-for-2022/2022/03/22/

Both were roughly tied for the highest fWAR at 3B last season -- that just goes to show you how pointless these lists are.

[fabiani12333]

I love Austin Riley. But his defense is so inferior to Arenado's. Even though I like the bat better you cannot put him that high until Arenado regresses more than he has.

Machado
Ramirez
Arenado
Devers
Riley
Bregman

Arenado has regressed?

[fabiani12333]

Not exactly sure what criteria they are looking at. But I thought Arenado pretty much put together the best overall season last year than any other third basemen. So why would they rank him so low?

To generate controversy -- why else?

He's going to be pissed going into next season -- watch out.

[BabaORiley]

I question Max Muncy's appearance on this list at all.

[KevinC]

I question Max Muncy's appearance on this list at all.

Why?

He had a .196/.329/.384 slash line last year and committed 10 errors in 80 games at 3rd last year.

The Shredder is never wrong.

[fabiani12333]

I question Max Muncy's appearance on this list at all.

1,480 career innings at 3B -- 713 last season. He had to slide over to 3B to accommodate Freddie Freeman.

[Silent George]

I love Austin Riley. But his defense is so inferior to Arenado's. Even though I like the bat better you cannot put him that high until Arenado regresses more than he has.

Machado
Ramirez
Arenado
Devers
Riley
Bregman

and by "regresses more than he has" you mean he has to be a lot worse than his career year, since he surged last year.

If the question is 3B RIGHT NOW, I think I'm going to pick the player who's the best RIGHT NOW. That's just me.

[fabiani12333]

and by "regresses more than he has" you mean he has to be a lot worse than his career year, since he surged last year.

If the question is 3B RIGHT NOW, I think I'm going to pick the player who's the best RIGHT NOW. That's just me.

Honestly, I think he peaked in Colorado but got unfairly dinged with the ballpark adjustments.

[Centauri3]

I am as big a Jose Ramirez fan as you’ll find anywhere, but I expected him to be third after Machado and Arrenado. I expect all three to be in the Hall.

[Triple B]

Got Matt Chapman?

[awz50]

Got Matt Chapman?

Max Muncy obviously is better

[Rage]

RIP Anthony Rendon

Hopefully he's back on this list next year

[pewe]

Interestingly the major projection systems nearly universally ("on average") seem to expect: #1 - Jo Ram

After that it gets a bit variant, with the most consistent being Bregman at #3.

Arenado and Machado mostly vary between #2 and #4 depending on the system.

After that Devers and Riley seem to swap back and forth for #5 and 6

[SupermanBrandon]

It's a list w/ an agenda to cause clicks, responses, etc. It's working.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

It's a list w/ an agenda to cause clicks, responses, etc. It's working.

Sure, but it’s still a fun thing to debate. Would you rather talk about taxes?

[Merkle14]

RIP Anthony Rendon

Hopefully he's back on this list next year

He just doesn't care anymore after winning his ring. Sad but true. He just wanted to get paid in LA and leave the game. He only signed for 5 years which is absurdly short in todays game. All that being said he's one of my favorite players in the league and will always be.

[eye4talent]

It's a list w/ an agenda to cause clicks, responses, etc. It's working.


It’s not entirely unlike baseball games: Events staged to get people to buy hot dogs, beer, crappy ice cream, and three hours of parking, and/or to watch commercials between game action while sitting on couches or bar stools. It’s working!


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[LVDan]

My only real noticeable takeaway is that Chapman is ranked lower than the amazing Yandy Diaz?
I spent a couple years waiting for him and his 2 RCs to start slugging bombs with that ridiculous buff physique but he remains a slappy.
With Chapman's defense and power I dont get it.

[fabiani12333]

Interestingly the major projection systems nearly universally ("on average") seem to expect: #1 - Jo Ram

After that it gets a bit variant, with the most consistent being Bregman at #3.

Arenado and Machado mostly vary between #2 and #4 depending on the system.

After that Devers and Riley seem to swap back and forth for #5 and 6

Over the last three seasons, Bregman is 7th in fWAR among 3B -- the top three from highest to lowest are Ramirez, Machado and Arenado.

Bregman hasn't been a candidate for best 3B since 2019.

[thenightman]

Austin Riley in no universe is better than Nolan

Riley will be better eventually but not yet

He's a future NL MVP. Book it!

[SupermanBrandon]

He's a future NL MVP. Book it!

Finished 7th in NL MVP voting in 2021 and 6th in 2022. He will absolutely win at least one, imo.

[dream34]

Yandy Diaz is on the list. It's clearly a list that prefers offensive production much much more than defensive production. So Arenado & Chapman's places should make more sense.

[PLAYED4NOTHING]

RIP Anthony Rendon

Hopefully he's back on this list next year

Boy, I think this all the time. That guy went & did a 180 since the big contract move to Anaheim. He could really play !

[PLAYED4NOTHING]

Finished 7th in NL MVP voting in 2021 and 6th in 2022. He will absolutely win at least one, imo.

Yeah very possible considering the talent of the team for the long haul. Not a Braves fan so much but damn if they aren’t absolutely built to win for years.

[awz50]

Boy, I think this all the time. That guy went & did a 180 since the big contract move to Anaheim. He could really play !

Classic Angels free agent signing

[awz50]

He's a future NL MVP. Book it!

But we are talking about right now

So yes he might be a FUTURE MVP

[majestik101]

Matt Chapman not being on this list is a shame. He's not top 5, but certainly belongs on this list more than DJ LeMahieu

[fabiani12333]

Yandy Diaz is on the list. It's clearly a list that prefers offensive production much much more than defensive production. So Arenado & Chapman's places should make more sense.

Actually, I think you nailed it. It appears to have used wOBA, or something similar:

wOBA leaders at 3B last three seasons:
1. Ramirez
2. Machado
3. Riley
4. Devers
5. Turner
6. Arenado
7. Bregman
8. Diaz
9. Muncy
10. LeMahieu

16. Chapman

Shredder's Top 10 3B list for 2023:
1. Machado
2. Ramirez
3. Riley
4. Devers
5. Arenado
6. Bregman
7. Turner
8. Muncy
9. Diaz
10. LeMahieu

[base set]

If you have 2 top 10 third basemen on the same team shouldn’t you, like, trade one of them?

[rwperu34]

But we are talking about right now

So yes he might be a FUTURE MVP

Arenado does not have an MVP. in his past or his future. Austin Riley is a big time, prime aged superstar right now.

[fabiani12333]

Arenado does not have an MVP. in his past or his future. Austin Riley is a big time, prime aged superstar right now.

Wait -- after the season Arenado had last year, you don't think he has a chance to win an MVP going forward?

[thenightman]

Wait -- after the season Arenado had last year, you don't think he has a chance to win an MVP going forward?

He's not getting any younger.

[hche]

Yandy Diaz is on the list. It's clearly a list that prefers offensive production much much more than defensive production. So Arenado & Chapman's places should make more sense.

But based on last year alone, Arenado is arguably better than Riley offensively. Despite Riley leads the league in TB, Arenado has a higher OPS and OPS+ and is the silver slugger. So Arenado is not just D.

[fabiani12333]

He's not getting any younger.

So isn't Goldschmidt -- yet he won MVP last season at three years older than Arenado.

[pewe]

Arenado does not have an MVP. in his past or his future. Austin Riley is a big time, prime aged superstar right now.


Wow - I definitely didn’t appreciate how good he is! Looks like a peer of Devers top to bottom. Maybe he’s the NL Devers :)


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[eye4talent]

He's not getting any younger.


He’s nearly four years younger than Goldschmidt.


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[pewe]

Over the last three seasons, Bregman is 7th in fWAR among 3B -- the top three from highest to lowest are Ramirez, Machado and Arenado.

Bregman hasn't been a candidate for best 3B since 2019.


You are welcome to go shake your fist at Streamer (#3), Depth Charts (#3), ATC (#4), THE BAT (#3), and THE BAT X (#2)


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[thenightman]

So isn't Goldschmidt -- yet he won MVP last season at three years older than Arenado.

He’s nearly four years younger than Goldschmidt.


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I was only offering a reason, not an argument.

[eye4talent]

I was only offering a reason, not an argument.


And I was only piggybacking with a counter to the reason…not as Dayman, fighter of the Nightman.


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[MoreToppsPlease]

Machado was 7th and Arenado was 8th on last year's list:
https://dodgerblue.com/mlb-top-10-third-basemen-right-now-justin-turner-ranked-by-the-shredder-for-2022/2022/03/22/

Both were roughly tied for the highest fWAR at 3B last season -- that just goes to show you how pointless these lists are.

The point of these lists is always to bring attention to whomever created them.

And here we are :coffee:

[rwperu34]

Wait -- after the season Arenado had last year, you don't think he has a chance to win an MVP going forward?

I mean he'd have to be better than last year. His best year yet. A career outlier. A year he still didn't win.

Obviously the odds are above zero because stuff happens, but heading into his age 32 season I'm comfortable predicting no MVP, even for a player of his caliber.

[rwperu34]

Wow - I definitely didn’t appreciate how good he is! Looks like a peer of Devers top to bottom. Maybe he’s the NL Devers :)


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Yep. BCA price wise, Riley is 40-50% higher than Devers. I still picked up a BCA, some color, and a bunch of base/chrome/refractors because I think Riley is a tad underrated...just not quite as underrated as Devers.

[thenightman]

And I was only piggybacking with a counter to the reason…not as Dayman, fighter of the Nightman.

You better not be the Dayman. He's the only one I argue with, after paying the troll toll, of course. :)!

[thenightman]

Yep. BCA price wise, Riley is 40-50% higher than Devers. I still picked up a BCA, some color, and a bunch of base/chrome/refractors because I think Riley is a tad underrated...just not quite as underrated as Devers.

I'm still sitting on a bunch of his stuff (some 2015 BC and 2019 TC serial numbered autos, along with some refractors) waiting for the inevitable.

[pewe]

I'm still sitting on a bunch of his stuff (some 2015 BC and 2019 TC serial numbered autos, along with some refractors) waiting for the inevitable.


The inevitable fall???

I joke I joke :D

(although, who am I kidding… that’s my strategy with Devers ;) )


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[pewe]

Yep. BCA price wise, Riley is 40-50% higher than Devers. I still picked up a BCA, some color, and a bunch of base/chrome/refractors because I think Riley is a tad underrated...just not quite as underrated as Devers.


Holy cow! And I consider Devers’ current prices too high for my liking


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[thenightman]

The inevitable fall???

I joke I joke :D

(although, who am I kidding… that’s my strategy with Devers ;) )


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You wish! You're just jealous cause we chose Riley and you're stuck with Devers. :p

[rwperu34]

Holy cow! And I consider Devers’ current prices too high for my liking


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Devers is making headway, but he's still got a ways to go given his talent level, age, and team. What he needs is that one spike year. If he can get it his prices will skyrocket and hold (IMO) given the strength of his career to date.

[eye4talent]

You better not be the Dayman. He's the only one I argue with, after paying the troll toll, of course. :)!


Do not worry, I am not the Dayman.

And for the record, I did not write that song.


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[Skipscards]

Austin Riley in no universe is better than Nolan

Riley will be better eventually but not yet

This.

[PeteD]

Funny as that list is...one of the actual 2022 GG winners isn't listed or mentioned. heh

[fabiani12333]

I mean he'd have to be better than last year. His best year yet. A career outlier. A year he still didn't win.

Obviously the odds are above zero because stuff happens, but heading into his age 32 season I'm comfortable predicting no MVP, even for a player of his caliber.

I'm comfortable predicting no MVP, also. But I think he has at least some chance after finishing 3rd the season before.

The only reason last season was an outlier for him was because his hitting numbers were adjusted downward while playing for the Rockies. I believe he was unfairly hurt by park adjustment playing in Coors Field. It's impossible to know how a hitter's numbers are affected by Coors.

Goldschmidt peaked in his 20s, but was still able to win MVP last season in his age-34 season. Granted, he's a 1B, who seem to age better than other position players. But Arenado was basically tied with him in both BR and Fangraphs WAR at more than three years younger.