For a long time, third base was the middle ground position in the infield. The bats were never quite as strong as they were at first base, but they weren't quite as one-dimensional, either. You'd find more slugging at third base than at second (and often shortstop), but with worse batting averages and significantly less speed.
But 2024 and 2025 saw some changes in that regard. It was a real fallow period for the third base position, as the .305 and .307 wOBA produced in 2024 and 2025, respectively, represented the worst collective marks from third basemen since at least 2002. No other season saw production from the position dip below .310, and in 2026, we saw some regression to the mean, as the position managed a .316 mark.
That's not great, mind you. But where third basemen were collectively below average hitters in 2024 and 2025, they reverted to being right on the average line for the league. And you saw it reflected in Fantasy production, with 13 third basemen contributing at least $10 in value, per the FanGraphs Player Rater; it was only nine in 2024 and, somehow, only six in 2025.
And, unlike at second base, which was hit with a tidal wave of attrition this offseason, most of the key names at third base in 2026 will retain eligibility for 2027. The most notable name who won't is Jazz Chisholm, and you'd rather just play him at second base at this point anyway. Sal Stewart, Miguel Vargas, and Kevin McGonigle may not stay at the position in the long run, but at least for 2027, you'll be able to use any of the three there.
And that young trio is a big part of why the position is in better shape than the previous couple of seasons. Of course, given their lack of track records, it wouldn't be a shock if any of those three took a step back in 2027. Ditto for Kazuma Okamoto, as well as for older players like Nolan Arenado or Alex Bregman, both of whom counted among the number of pleasant surprises at the position last season.
That's all to say that there's no guarantee this trend sticks. It feels pretty good right now, but Jose Ramirez and Manny Machado felt like pretty safe picks this time a year ago, and we saw what happened there. Things are pointed in the right direction, to the point where, if you want to play the positional scarcity game, you're better off doing it at second base than third.
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