{"id":53,"date":"2022-11-21T18:21:51","date_gmt":"2022-11-21T22:21:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/br-blog\/?p=53"},"modified":"2025-10-22T14:59:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T18:59:07","slug":"the-top-10-greatest-third-basemen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/br-blog\/2022\/11\/the-top-10-greatest-third-basemen\/","title":{"rendered":"The Greatest Third Basemen of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(last updated on October 22, 2025)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are 20\u00a0Hall of Fame third basemen<\/a>. That total is fewer than any other position in baseball (with the exception of designated hitter). However, some of baseball\u2019s best defensive players and power hitters have played at the \u201chot corner\u201d of the baseball diamond. We are going to break down the best third basemen of all time, using statistics. Specifically, we will be looking at the leaders in\u00a0Position Player WAR<\/a>. This measurement considers baserunning, grounding into double plays (when in DP situations), and fielding. Additionally, WAR is adjusted by position. Third basemen, for example, generally have the lowest batting averages outside of catchers. Finally, replacement level runs (based on playing time) round out the considerations of WAR, which determines who is among the best third basemen of all time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should be noted that three-time American League MVP\u00a0\u00c1lex Rodr\u00edguez<\/a>\u2019s career WAR of 117.6 would top this list of third basemen. However, A-Rod is not included here because he played most of his career at shortstop with both the\u00a0Mariners<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Rangers<\/a>. It was not until joining the Yankees for the\u00a02004 season<\/a>\u00a0that\u00a0Rodr\u00edguez made his debut at third base<\/a>\u00a0to accommodate Hall of Fame shortstop\u00a0Derek Jeter<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the top 10 greatest third basemen, in alphabetical order, according to WAR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\n\n
\"Photo\"Photo\"Photo\"Photo\n<\/div>
\n\t

\n\t\tAdrian Beltr\u00e9<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n

\n Position:<\/strong>\n Third Baseman\n \n<\/p>\n\n

\n\tBats: <\/strong>Right\n  \u2022 \n\tThrows: <\/strong>Right\n \n<\/p>\n\n\n

5-11<\/span>, 220lb<\/span> (180cm, 99kg) <\/p>\n\n\n

\n Born:<\/a><\/strong>\n \n April 7<\/a>, 1979<\/a>\n <\/span> (Age: 45-258d)<\/nobr><\/span>\n\n \n \n \n in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic<\/a>\n \n <\/span>\n do<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n

High School:<\/strong> Liceo Maximo Gomez (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)<\/a><\/p>\n \n \n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n

Debut:<\/a><\/strong>\n \n June 24, 1998\n <\/a>\n (Age 19-078d,\n 17,284th in major league history)\n
   vs. ANA<\/a> 5 AB, 2 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB\n \n <\/p>\n\n \n

Last Game:<\/a><\/strong>\n September 30, 2018<\/a>\n (Age 39-176d)\n
   vs. SEA<\/a> 2 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n

\n Hall of Fame<\/a>:<\/strong> Inducted as Player in 2024.\n (Voted by BBWAA on 366\/385 ballots)\n \n
   View Adrian Beltr\u00e9’s Page<\/a><\/strong> at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).\n <\/p>\n \n\n\n\n

\n Rookie Status:<\/a><\/strong>\n \n Exceeded rookie limits during 1998 season\n \n \n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n Agents<\/strong>: Boras Corporation <\/p>\n \n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n

\n Full Name:<\/strong> Adrian Beltr\u00e9 \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n

\n Nicknames:<\/strong>\n El Koja<\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n

Pronunciation<\/strong>: \\BEHL-tray<\/a>\\<\/p>\n\n\n \n\n\n \n

Instagram:<\/strong> @beltrea29<\/a><\/p>\n \n\n

\n View Player Info<\/a> \n from the B-R Bullpen<\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n

\n View Player Bio<\/a> \n from the SABR BioProject<\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n