Welcome again to a different installment of High Dynasty Keepers for 2025. We now have made our journey across the infield as we spotlight the third basemen this week.
That is an fascinating place. There may be some stable depth as you’ll be able to land a very good starter from the Tier 2 group and even Tier 3 if a kind of gamers has a breakout 12 months. However the prime expertise skews towards the older facet as six of my prime 20 gamers are 31 years previous or older.
There are some stable gamers who’re of their 20s, however there is no such thing as a Bobby Witt Jr. or Gunnar Henderson on this group.
General, it’s a place with one nice participant, a variety of above common gamers after which a gaggle of gamers who’ve the potential to be above common however should not there but.
Simply Missed the Lower
Gio Urshela performed in 128 video games with Detroit and Atlanta in 2024 and noticed time at first and third base. So in the event you want a utility participant with some energy, Urshela might come in useful, even on the age of 33 subsequent 12 months.
A youthful fill-in with some worth is Edmundo Sosa of the Phillies. First rate slash line final season and he has some energy, hitting seven homers in 249 at-bats. He can play a number of positions, in order that helps his worth.
After these two is an entire bunch of the identical sort of participant – Nick Senzel, Anthony Rendon (assuming he truly is on the sector), Jose Iglesias, Patrick Knowledge, and many others. Plug them in if wanted, however hope you don’t must plug them in.
High Prospects
Charlie Condon, Colorado
Matt Shaw, Chicago Cubs
Brayden Taylor, Tampa Bay
Cam Collier, Cincinatti
Cam Smith, Chicago Cubs
Brady Home, Washington
Tier 5
*Age as of April 1, 2025
RANK
PLAYER
2024 TEAM
AGE
50
Ramon Urias
BAL
30
49
Yoan Moncada
CWS
29
48
Ezequiel Duran
TEX
25
47
Lenyn Sosa
CWS
24
46
Curtis Mead
TB
30
45
Jared Triolo
PIT
27
44
Josh Rojas
SEA
30
43
Brett Baty
NYM
25
42
Jace Jung
DET
24
41
Brooks Lee
MIN
24
Simply One other Backup
Yoan Moncada is rarely going to be the star participant many anticipated him to be as he was one of many key gamers the White Sox acquired once they traded Chris Sale to the Crimson Sox. Since that commerce Moncada has had just one good season and a bunch of mediocre to unhealthy seasons to go together with a bunch of accidents. The White Sox neatly didn’t decide up his $25 million choice and a few group goes to signal Moncada and hope he stays wholesome and figures issues out on the plate.
However proper now, I don’t anticipate a lot from him and also you shouldn’t both as his “breakout” 2019 season is 5 years within the rearview mirror.
Gamers with Upside
What to do with Brett Baty? He’s a former first spherical draft decide and former prime 100 prospect who has succeeded within the minors with a profession .283/.382/.507 slash line with 64 homers and 225 RBI in 325 video games. However with the Mets he has struggled to the tune of .215/.282/.325 with 15 homers and 55 RBI in 169 video games with 159 strikeouts. Mark Vientos has surpassed him at third base, however Baty acquired time in at second base within the minors this previous 12 months and he can play left discipline. His future might not be at third, however the ceiling is just too tantalizing to not take an opportunity on Baty as a buy-low candidate.
Jace Jung remains to be often called the little brother of Josh Jung. Maybe sooner or later he’ll simply be often called the brother of Josh Jung. He has above common energy and is probably going headed for a job at third base with Colt Keith organising store at second base. He didn’t have an important debut with the Tigers this 12 months as he slashed .241/.362/.304 with no homers and three RBI. He additionally had a 31% strikeout charge however countered that with a 16% stroll charge.
Brooks Lee can play third base, second base and shortstop, however his future is probably going at second base, which is one cause why he’s ranked in Tier 5. A switch-hitter, Lee has wonderful contact abilities as he had extra walks than strikeouts throughout his school profession and had a 15.3% strikeout charge within the minors and a stable 14.6% strikeout charge throughout his 50-game stint with the Twins final 12 months. He can also drive the ball and has a stable upside, although at what place is the true query.
Tier 4
RANK
PLAYER
2024 TEAM
AGE
40
Enrique Hernandez
LAD
33
39
Ke’Bryan Hayes
PIT
28
38
Oswaldo Cabrera
NYY
26
37
Addison Barger
TOR
25
36
Max Schuemann
OAK
27
35
Maikel Garcia
KC
25
34
Josh Smith
TEX
27
33
Ernie Clement
TOR
29
32
Paul DeJong
KC
31
31
Christopher Morel
TB
25
What to do With Hayes and Cabrera?
Ke’Bryan Hayes is a former prime 10 prospect who burst onto the scene in 2020 by hitting .377/.442/.682 with 5 homers and 11 RBI in 24 video games. Since then, nevertheless, Hayes has struggled to stay as much as his prospect hype. Since 2021, he has a .252/.306/.370 slash line with a 162-game common of 11 homers and 59 RBI whereas struggling to remain on the sector due to accidents. The very best factor about Hayes proper now could be the pace he supplies as he recorded double-digit steals in every of the final three seasons.
Oswaldo Cabrera was by no means a prime 10 prospect, a lot much less a prime 100 prospect, however all the time appeared to have a variety of hype surrounding him attributable to enjoying for the Yankees. The hype constructed for him in 2021 when he hit 29 homers, drove in 89 runs and stole 21 bases on the Double-A and Triple-A ranges. However his manufacturing within the majors has by no means matched what he did within the minors.
In 108 video games this previous season, he set profession highs with eight house runs and 36 RBI whereas slashing .247/.296/.352 and his 162-game common is simply 12 homers and 51 RBI. The saving grace for Cabera is the very fact he can play all 4 infield positions in addition to left and proper discipline, although he seemingly solely qualifies as a primary, second and third baseman in most leagues.
Are Hayes and Cabrera value a roster spot? As depth choices, sure. As starters, no.
Depth Choices
For those who imagine Ernie Clement can maintain off Addison Barger for the beginning job at third and in the event you imagine that Clement’s 2024 season wasn’t an anomaly, then go forward and snag him to be a depth participant at third base and shortstop and probably second base. Clement performed in a profession excessive 139 video games for the Blue Jays and slashed .263/.284/.408 with 12 homers, 51 RBI and 12 steals. His profession slash line is .249/.282/.361), so I’d not depend on him replicating his 2024 season in 2025. However he can present first rate depth.
Paul DeJong can play a number of positions and hit 24 homers this season, however that’s the extent of the place he actually helps on offense as he had a .227/.276/.427 slash line and he has not hit higher than .233 for the reason that 2020 season. However low-cost energy is nice energy, in order a depth participant he has worth.
Talking of Barger, in the event you assume he’ll beat out Clement at third, then he’s a participant that might shock slightly. He has energy as he hit seven homers in 69 video games for the Blue Jays. However he additionally had a .197/.250/.351 slash line with a 27% strikeout charge. In case you are eager on his energy potential, then he’s value a shot to stash in your group.
The One-Dimensional Participant
That is what I mentioned about Christopher Morel in my second baseman rankings and it applies right here as nicely: Morel can hit the ball a great distance. However that’s actually all he can do. He has a profession house run charge of 4.3%, which is manner above the three% common. However he additionally has a .223 profession batting common and a 29% strikeout charge. For those who care solely about energy who can play third base and left discipline as nicely, Morel is nice to have. However that’s mainly all he’ll present.
Tier 3
RANK
PLAYER
2024 TEAM
AGE
30
Willi Castro
MIN
27
29
Dylan Moore
SEA
32
28
Luis Rengifo
LAA
28
27
Jose Caballero
TB
28
26
Jose Miranda
MIN
26
25
Max Muncy
LAD
34
24
Joey Ortiz
MIL
26
23
Jeimer Candelario
CIN
31
22
Ryan McMahon
COL
30
21
Matt Vierling
DET
28
The Versatile Group
In order for you gamers who can play a number of positions who present depth in deep leagues and provide some first rate stats – both within the slash line, homers, pace or a mixture – then gamers reminiscent of Willi Castro, Dylan Moore, Luis Rengifo and Jose Caballero are nice gamers to have in your group. Castro and Moore reached double digits in homers and steals this season whereas Rengifo had six homers in 78 video games however hit 16 and 17 the earlier two seasons whereas Caballero 44 bases and had 9 homers.
These aren’t star gamers, however in deep leagues they’re the kind who present nice depth and no less than assist in one class if no more.
Can Ortiz do Extra?
I like Joey Ortiz. I like the very fact he can hit with some energy and assist with steals. In his first full season he had 11 homers and 11 steals to go together with 60 RBI. He additionally had a stroll charge of 11% with a 20% strikeout charge, so he has a very good understanding of the plate.
However I’m undecided how far more energy he’s going to develop. He did hit 19 homers in 2022 whereas within the minors, however 15 of these got here at Double-A as a 23-year-old. I feel he can add extra energy, however saying he shall be a constant 20-homer participant can be a attain.
A Lot Higher Than You Suppose
Matt Vierling could also be considerably shocking to be on this tier, however he has a variety of worth in deep leagues. He will be slotted as a 3rd baseman, left fielder (relying on league guidelines), proper fielder and heart fielder.
On the plate, as he has acquired an increasing number of enjoying time, his stats have improved as nicely. This season he hit a profession excessive 16 homers and drove in a profession excessive 57 runs whereas slashing .257/.312/.423. His SLG has improved every season since 2022, when he slugged .351 for the Phillies in 117 video games. It rose to .388 in 2023 after which reached .423 this 12 months.
Tier 2
RANK
PLAYER
2024 TEAM
AGE
20
Nolan Arenado
STL
33
19
Noelvi Marte
CIN
23
18
Connor Norby
MIA
24
17
Coby Mayo
BAL
23
16
Jake Burger
MIA
28
15
Eugenio Suarez
ARI
33
14
Isaac Paredes
CHC
26
13
Alec Bohm
PHI
27
12
Josh Jung
TEX
27
11
Matt Chapman
SF
31
Respect to the Elders
Of the ten gamers on this tier, seven of them are 28 years previous or youthful. The three elder gamers are Nolan Arenado, Eugenio Suarez and Matt Chapman.
Arenado is now not the slugging third baseman he as soon as was. After slugging .533 in 2022, that quantity fell to .459 in 2023 and .394 this previous season. The 16 homers he hit have been the fewest since he hit 10 in 2013 (his rookie season) and his house run totals the final 4 years have been 34, 30, 26 and 16. In most leagues, Arenado is just not a starter. In deep leagues, he’s a fringe starter. For those who desire a youthful participant from Tier 4 or have a prospect that you just desire to play at third base, I can’t argue with you.
Eugenio Suarez slugged 30 homers and drove in 101 runs in his first season within the desert. His 162-game common is 30 homers and 92 RBI with a .248/.331/.457 slash line. So why is Suarez ranked solely fifteenth? As a result of he’s 33 years previous and he mainly helps solely within the homer/RBI classes. If I’m not getting one of many extra well-rounded older third basemen who’re in Tier 1, then I desire to construct round a youthful participant on the sizzling nook. For those who’re solely trying two or three years forward, then bump Suarez up as he’ll proceed to hit house runs and drive in runs for Arizona.
Matt Chapman will get ranked forward of Suarez largely as a result of he’s two years youthful. On the plate his stats are near what Suarez produces. His 162-game common is 29 homers and 80 RBI, whereas the slash line is .241/.328/.463. The identical word about Suarez applies right here – a brief view can preserve Chapman ranked right here or increased.
Unproven Expertise
Noelvi Marte, Connor Norby and Coby Mayo fall into Tier 2 largely attributable to their anticipated worth in comparison with present worth. Marte entered the 2024 season as a High 25 prospect in accordance with Baseball America, MLB and Baseball Prospectus. He has an intriguing mixture of energy and pace. He confirmed his means in 2023 when he performed in 35 video games and slashed .316/.366/.456. However he struggled in 2024 with a .210/.248/.301 slash line and solely 4 homers and 18 RBI in 66 video games although he did have 9 steals.
If the Reds commerce Jonathan India, it can clear a spot for Jeimer Candelario to get extra time at DH and for Marte to take over fulltime at third.
Connor Norby was behind too many prime prospects in Baltimore, so the commerce to Miami in July was an ideal place for him to land. After slashing .188/.188/.406 in 9 video games with the Orioles, Norby slashed .247/.315/.445 with seven house runs and 17 RBI in 36 video games. That could be a 162-game tempo of 32 homers and 72 RBI. And the facility is actual. In school at East Carolina he had a profession SLG of .596 and within the minors it was .494.
The cheer you heard when the Orioles introduced they are going to be shifting the left discipline fence in for 2025 was from Coby Mayo and each different right-handed energy hitter who play for Baltimore. Mayo didn’t go away a very good first impression this previous season after slashing .098/.196/.098 in 17 video games and 41 at-bats. Don’t let that exhibiting preserve you from going after Mayo. He hit 25 homers within the minors this previous season with a .592 SLG and his profession SLG in 390 minor league video games is .541.
I anticipate Jackson Holliday to play second base, Gunnar Henderson to stay at quick and Jordan Westburg to carry down the fort at third (or Westburg can play second, Henderson play third and Holliday be at quick or any mixture involving these three gamers at these three positions). If that’s the case, Mayo will seemingly get time at third, first and DH. However for now he’s a 3rd baseman and one you need to need.
Simply Keep Wholesome
Texas Rangers followers would like to see what Josh Jung might do over 162 video games. Up to now they’ve seen him play in 26 video games in 2022, 122 in 2023 and solely 46 final season. In 2023 he slashed .266/.315/.467 with 23 homers and 70 RBI and his 162-game common is .257/.301/.450 with 29 homers and 84 RBI. His profession HR% is 4.4% and his strikeout charge has dropped each season since his debut.
In his one “full” season, his Common EV ranked within the 87th percentile and his Launch Angle Candy-Spot% ranked within the 98th percentile. Those that have Jung on their roster have seemingly been annoyed by him, however now is just not the time to surrender on him.
Tier 1
RANK
PLAYER
2024 TEAM
AGE
10
Alex Bregman
HOU
31
9
Royce Lewis
MIN
25
8
Jordan Westburg
BAL
26
7
Mark Vientos
NYM
25
6B
Jazz Chisholm
NYY
27
6A
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
TOR
26
5
Junior Caminero
TB
21
4
Manny Machado
SD
32
3
Austin Riley
ATL
27
2
Rafael Devers
BOS
28
1
Jose Ramirez
CLE
32
Down Yr, or New Pattern?
Rating Alex Bregman at No. 10 comes with an asterisk mark: was 2024 the beginning of a development, or only a blip in an in any other case very constant profession? Bregman is just not going to match what he did in 2018 and 2019 as he has not come near these numbers since. However over the past three years he has been very constant, hitting 23, 25 and 26 homers with batting averages of .259, .262, .260 and SLG percentages of .454, .441, .453.
What’s regarding about Bregman is the huge drop in his stroll share. His profession stroll charge is 11.9%. However in 2024, it dropped to six.9% – his lowest share since his rookie season in 2016. Why the large drop? One cause will be traced to the truth that the Astros have been lacking Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker for enormous chunks of the season, main Bregman to increase his zone to be able to attempt to drive in runs.
If he continues to have a stroll charge within the 7% vary, then his OBP drops and his runs scored drop, making him a much less helpful third baseman, although a 3rd baseman with an OPS+ of 118 this season and one who has by no means been decrease than 112. For now I’ll think about this a blip on the radar.
Simply Keep Wholesome, Half II
Take what I mentioned about Texas Rangers followers and Josh Jung and insert Minnesota Followers and Royce Lewis right here. Lewis has finished nothing however mash the ball when he’s on the sector. In 152 profession video games with the Twins, he has 33 house runs and 104 RBI to go together with a .268/.327/.497 slash line and a 126 OPS+. The issue with Lewis is he can’t keep on the sector. He was restricted to 58 video games in 2023 and 82 video games final season. His strikeout and stroll charges are on par with the MLB common and his profession ISO is .230 in comparison with the MLB common of .158.
Younger however Unproven
Jordan Westburg and Mark Vientos would not have a protracted observe document of MLB expertise, however what they’ve finished throughout their temporary careers and what I anticipate them to maintain doing locations them in my prime 10.
In 107 video games in 2024, Westburg slugged .481 due to 18 homers, 26 doubles and 5 triples. His xBA and xSLG ranked within the 92nd percentile this previous season whereas his AEV, Barrel% and LA Candy-Spot% all ranked within the eightieth to 88th percentile. The Orioles are shifting the left discipline fences in for 2025, and that’s excellent news for right-handers, however Westburg truly hit eight of his homers to the fitting facet of heart discipline as his energy performs in any park.
The Mets gave Mark Vientos an opportunity to show himself in 2024 and the younger slugger took benefit of it by hitting 27 homers and driving in 71 runs in 111 video games whereas slashing .266/.322/.516. His 162-game common is 31 homers and 81 RBI. The ability is actual – in elements of seven minor league seasons, Vientos has a .500 SLG. It could be good if he cuts down on his profession 30% strikeout charge, however his profession AEV is 91.7 mph and his Arduous Hit% is 48.1% (MLB common is 39%).
Dishonest a Bit
I’ve ranked each Jazz Chisholm and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sixth as a result of I don’t assume they continue to be eligible at third base past the 2025 season. Chisholm stepped in at third base for the Yankees and did a positive job, however I feel he strikes again to second base/heart discipline subsequent season, particularly if Juan Soto is enjoying in Queens or wherever subsequent season. Chisholm isn’t your conventional third baseman. Whereas he can hit for energy, he additionally has nice pace and that provides him an enormous scoring benefit at this place.
That is what I mentioned about Guerrero in my first base rankings: “Guerrero had a breakout season in 2021, when on the tender age of twenty-two, he hit 48 homers, drove in 111 runs and slashed .311/.401/.601 to complete second within the MVP voting. These are some fairly lofty numbers to attempt to match yearly, and Guerrero hasn’t. However all he has finished since then is hit 88 house runs and drive in 294 runs whereas slashing .287/.360/.489. His “worst” season since 2021 was final 12 months when he hit 26 homers and had 94 RBI whereas slashing .264/.345/.444.
Guerrero discovered his mojo on the plate this previous season as he slashed .323/.396/.544. That could be a top-10 end throughout the board within the slash classes because the averaged ranked second in MLB whereas the OBP ranked third and the SLG ranked ninth. That’s fairly stable for a participant who hasn’t even reached his prime but.”
Guerrero is a stud, and at third base he’ll present nice numbers. I simply assume it’s for just one season.
A Shock at 5
Placing Junior Caminero right here shall be thought of a attain by some and loopy by others. However typically the attention take a look at is aware of when a proficient participant is on the sector and needs to be a prime goal in dynasty leagues. Caminero is a kind of gamers. On the age of 20 final season, he appeared in 43 video games for the Rays and slashed .248/.299/.724 with six homers and 18 RBI. These aren’t nice numbers, however he had solely a 21.5% strikeout charge and a 46% Arduous-Hit% in comparison with the MLB common of 39.3%.
He has lots to study and he could undergo some extended slumps in 2025, however his upside is just too good to go up.
The Closing 4
Manny Machado is 4 years older than Austin Riley, and that’s the reason he’s ranked behind him. From 2021 to 2023 Machado averaged 30 homers and 100 RBI in 147 video games with a .278/.345/.495 and completed 18th within the MVP voting in 2022 and second in 2023. This previous season he slashed .275/.325/.472 with 29 homers and 105 RBI whereas additionally swiping 11 bases.
Accidents damage Austin Riley’s manufacturing this previous season (19 homers, 56 RBI in 110 video games). However from 2021 by means of 2023 (to match him to Machado) Riley’s common season was 36 homers and 99 RBI with a .286/.354/.525 slash line whereas averaging 159 video games. Throughout these three years he completed seventh, sixth and seventh within the MVP voting. There isn’t any cause to assume Riley is just not going to return to that stage of manufacturing subsequent 12 months and past.
Like Machado and Riley, Devers is only a constant power on the plate. His profession slash line is .279/.345/.511 with a 126 OPS+. From 2021-2023 he averaged 150 video games per season with 33 homers, 100 RBI and a .282/.354/.520 slash line and a 133 OPS+. This previous season wasn’t Dever’s greatest, but he nonetheless hit 28 homers and drove in 83 runs in 138 video games.
Jose Ramirez goes to be 32 years previous on Opening Day in 2025. And I say who cares, no less than on the subject of Ramirez. All of the switch-hitter does is produce 12 months after 12 months. This season he slashed .279/.335/.537 with 39 homers and 118 RBI, the third time in 4 years he has topped 100 RBI. What separates Ramirez from the remainder of the third basemen is the very fact he additionally has pace. He stole 41 bases this 12 months and has not had fewer than 20 steals in any full season since 2017. During the last 4 seasons his OPS+ has been 142, 148, 128 and 143.
Age is commonly an element when deciding between two related gamers, however within the case of Ramirez, throw that out of the window.
Come Again Subsequent Week
Thanks for studying and are available again subsequent week for the highest 50 third basemen.
Earlier Rankings
High 50 Dynasty Keepers for 2025 – RelieversTop 100 Dynasty Keepers for 2025 – Beginning PitchersTop 40 Dynasty Keepers for 2025 – CatchersTop 50 Dynasty Keepers for 2025 – First BasemenTop 50 Dynasty Keepers for 2025 – Second BasemenTop 50 Dynasty Keepers for 2025 – Shortstops
