MLB best: The top 3 third basemen right now
By Ben Fadden
2. Nolan Arenado (Colorado Rockies)
I know that most people are going to disagree with me about Arenado not being in the top spot, but I will explain that later.
Nolan Arenado is a four-time All-Star and Silver Slugger, in addition to winning a Gold Glove every single year of his six-year career, and he did not stop last season.
In 2018, the ‘Modern Day Brooks Robinson’ led the National League in home runs with 38, driving in 110 runs with an OBP of nearly .375.
He was able to lead his team to the playoffs, ultimately falling to the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series.
If you look at his home to road splits last season, they are evidently different. His batting average is down 100 points at .248 which is not any small margin, he has about 20 less RBI’s, his slugging is down 234 points, and his OPS is down 333.
What those statistics tell me is he is not the best hitter away from a hitter’s paradise in Colorado, therefore he is not the hitter everyone believes he is. No disrespect to him but going into 2019, I believe there is someone better.
In 2019, Arenado is projected to hit less home runs, less RBI’s, and a lower on-base percentage, which is the starting point in where I began to seriously look at the other options at third base to see if anyone had around the same 2018 season as Arenado did, and then if they are going to have a stronger 2019 year.
When looking at the numbers, my #1 third basemen had an identical 2018 season with multiple All-Star appearances and multiple Silver Sluggers in addition to being on a postseason team…