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MLB: Ranking the Top 30 Third Basemen for the 2017 Season

By Greg Goldstein

Sep 12, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) reacts after being defeated by the Boston Red Sox 12-2 at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) reacts after being defeated by the Boston Red Sox 12-2 at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 25, 2017; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) hits a 3-run home run during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) hits a 3-run home run during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

30. Adonis Garcia (Atlanta Braves)

0.2 WAR 134 G 563 PA .273 BA .311 OBP 29 2B 14 HR .406 SLG .717 OPS 93 SO 24 BB 29.8% Hard Contact

29. Brock Holt (Boston Red Sox)

1.2 WAR 94 G 324 PA .255 BA .322 OBP 16 2B 7 HR .383 SLG .705 OPS 58 SO 27 BB 23.3% Hard Contact

28. Wilmer Flores (New York Mets)

0.3 WAR 103 G 335 PA .267 BA .319 OBP 14 2B 16 HR .469 SLG .788 OPS 48 SO 23 BB 27.1% Hard Contact

27. Hernan Perez (Milwaukee Brewers)

2.0 WAR 123 G 430 PA .272 BA .303 OBP 18 2B 13 HR .428 SLG .730 OPS 94 SO 18 BB 31.9% Hard Contact

26. Pablo Sandoval (Boston Red Sox) *2015 Stats

-0.9 WAR 126 G 505 PA .245 BA .292 OBP 25 2B 10 HR .366 SLG .658 OPS 73 SO 25 BB 24.5% Hard Contact

Garcia was a pleasant surprise for the Atlanta Braves in 2016. He posted a solid batting average and flashed a little bit of power at the hot corner. He’s a bit older at 32 years old with a lack of MLB experience he’s accumulated to this point. He should be a stable veteran at the position until Atlanta finds a long-term answer.

Then we have three sort of utility players that I’ve decided to rank as third baseman based on where their team’s rosters are. Hernan Perez may be the most intriguing player of this trio considering his youth and the solid numbers he posted last season. Finishing with a WAR of 2.0, the 26 year-old flashed power and a solid hitting ability. Perez will also play left field, but he’s a third baseman by trade.

Wilmer Flores, best known for the trade fiasco from two years ago, has silently become a pretty good piece for the Mets since then. He’s filled in admirably at third base and shortstop, but it seems like Flores will be mostly playing at third base because of the presence of Asdrubal Cabrera on the roster.

Brock Holt can literally play almost anywhere on the baseball diamond, and that’s where he’s most valuable. He’s probably not an everyday player, but he brings definite value because of his defensive versatility. He is certainly by no means a subpar hitter. He did finish with a .255 average. He won’t hit the ball hard a lot of the time, but his speed and average hitting ability puts him in the top 30.

The Kung Fu Panda is the greatest unknown on this entire list. He has an MLB all-star resume, but has come into many a  year completely out of shape. Apparently, Sandoval is in much better physical condition, but it’s tough to project that he will turn back into his San Francisco Giant self. The potential is there for him to move considerably up this list IF he can find his game again.

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