Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Up next on the rankings is third base. With only one true standout, the top spot on this list was pretty easy to assign but the middle three can fluctuate very easily. Between prospect promotions and free agency additions this list could have three new faces at this time next year. But for now here’s how the position shakes out for 2023.

5. Jeimer Candelario, WSH

The Washington Nationals big free agent acquisition this offseason is coming off the worst season of his career. Now 29 years old, Candelario has played for the Cubs and Tigers as part of his seven year MLB career. Candelario led baseball with 42 doubles in 2021 while hitting .271/.351/.442 and flirted with a .300 batting average in the abbreviated 2020 season. Last year with the Tigers, Candelario batted .217/.272/.361 in 124 games. Steamer projects Candelario for 1.5 WAR this season, 27th most among third basemen. Additionally Steamer has his batting line at .240/.312/.404. Candelario is a negative defender at third base, finishing 2022 with a -6 outs above average, ranking in the eighth percentile. It’s likely Carter Kieboom or Jeter Downs finishes the season as their third baseman.

4. Eduardo Escobar, NYM

It’s unknown how much playing time Escobar will actually receive in 2023 but with him being the incumbent we’ll rank the NL East as him being the starter over Brett Baty. Escobar entered 2022 off an All-Star season but couldn’t replicate the success the same way. Escobar wasn’t far off from his 2021 season – 109 OPS+ vs. 106 OPS+ – but his best days do appear behind him. Projections for Esobar range due to games played. Steamer has Escobar at 109 games while The BAT has him playing in 73. Either way he should be around a 1.1 WAR player with a league-average bat. ZiPS projections heavily favor the Mets prospect over Escobar this season. Baty is estimated for a .253/.331/.424 slash line with 2.9 fWAR while Escobar is .232/.292/.417 with 1.5 WAR. Escobar is projected for 80 more plate appearances as well. If Baty is the starter and produces to that point he could jump up the rankings to No. 2 in the NL East.

3. Alec Bohm, PHI

Alec Bohm was the second worst defender at third base in baseball but his bat will push him above Escobar in these rankings. Last season, Bohm was in the fourth percentile in outs above average with -9 at the hot corner. Still, Bohm’s bat added to a deadly Philadelphia lineup with an expected batting average in the 98th percentile at .290. Bohm’s actual batting average in 2022 was .280, indicating he can reach new heights in his fourth season. Steamer projects Bohm as the 16th best third baseman next season with 2.6 WAR with a .272/.324/.416 slash line. ZiPS has Bohm worse than Baty with a 1.5 WAR and a sub-100 OPS+.

2. Jean Segura, MIA

Segura tops the list of middle-of-the-pack third basemen mainly because of all the problems he’s caused against the Mets over the years. Segura is making the full-time transition from second base to third base in Miami and projects to be just fine after patrolling second and shortstop throughout his career. Segura’s offensive profile isn’t anything exciting with Steamer putting him at a .274/.331/.393 slash line and a 2.9 WAR . ZiPS is further down on Segura with a 2.0 WAR but a similar slash of .271/.329/.387.

1. Austin Riley, ATL

A legitimate stud and probably the best position player on the Braves next season, Riley is the clear-cut choice for best third baseman in the NL East. Steamer has Riley as the sixth-best third basemen in baseball next season with a 4.4 WAR and a .274/.343/.512 slash line. Riley, like the rest of the NL East, is a poor defender, but he does criminal things to baseballs. In 2022 he was in the 96th percentile of average exit velocity, 97th max exit velocity, 95th hard hit percentage, and 96th barrel percentage. Only 26 when the season starts the All-Star and Silver Slugger should remain atop this group for years to come barring a Baty breakout or a Manny Machado free agent signing.