B/R's MLB 30 in '30 Predicting the Best Third Basemen in 2030
Welcome to the Bleacher Report MLB 30 in '30 series, where we look ahead five years to the 2030 season and predict who will be the 30 best players at each position.
Up next, third basemen.
Third base has traditionally been home to some of the game's most prolific offensive players, and while guys like José Ramírez, Manny Machado, Matt Chapman, Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado are some of the biggest names at the position right now, there will be a changing of the guard in the coming years.
The hot corner could end up being home to a number of prospects who are currently playing shortstop but could outgrow the position, with Colt Emerson (SEA), Marcelo Mayer (BOS), Aidan Miller (PHI) and Sebastian Walcott (TEX) among the up-and-comers who fit that profile.
Offensive and defensive tools were both considered when assessing a player's outlook five years down the line, but this was ultimately a largely subjective exercise based on projection.
Before we dive into the 30 in '30, a nod to some current stars who are expected to age out of stardom before the 2030 season arrives, as well as a projection of the top 10 third base prospects five years down the road.
Catch up on the B/R 30 in '30 series: Shortstops
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Notable Veteran Omissions
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The following veterans were excluded from the rankings under the assumption that age regression will have removed them from the Top 30 at the position:
Nolan Arenado, STL (39)
Alex Bregman, BOS (36)
Matt Chapman, SF (37)
Manny Machado, SD (37)
Ryan McMahon, COL (35)
Max Muncy, LAD (39)
José Ramírez, CLE (37)
Eugenio Suárez, ARI (38)
Projected Top 10 Third Base Prospects in 2030
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Top 10 Third Base Prospects in 2030
(2030 age in parenthesis)
1. Ethan Holliday, 2025 MLB Draft (23): Son of Matt Holliday and younger brother of Jackson Holliday. Built more like his father with a strong 6'4", 200-pound frame, and boasts some of the best raw power in the 2025 draft class. Likely to outgrow shortstop, but should profile well as a run-producing third baseman.
2. Emil Morales, Los Angeles Dodgers (23): Signed for $1.9 million as one of the headliners of the 2024 international class. Hit .342/.478/.691 with 11 doubles, 14 home runs and 46 RBI over 46 games in the Dominican Summer League in his pro debut. Still room to grow into his 6'3", 191-pound frame with a 55-hit, 60-power offensive profile.
3. Luis Peña, Milwaukee Brewers (23): Somewhat overshadowed by 2024 international classmate Jesús Made, but a high-ceiling prospect in his own right. Hit .393/.457/.583 with 23 extra-base hits and 39 steals over 44 games in the Dominican Summer League. Jumped straight to Single-A for his stateside debut and off to a red-hot start.
4. Jose Perdomo, Atlanta Braves (23): Received largest bonus of any player during the 2024 international signing window at $5 million and immediately became one of Atlanta's top position-player prospects. Slowed by a hamstring injury in his pro debut, but could take off this year. Will be given every opportunity to stick at shortstop with a lack of long-term options in the system, but might end up fitting better at third base.
5. Chris Hacopian, 2026 MLB Draft (25): Should follow in the footsteps of Brandon Lowe and Matt Shaw as Maryland infielders who went early in the MLB draft. Slugged 15 home runs with a 1.009 OPS as a freshman. Hitting .370/.500/.624 with 11 doubles, 10 home runs, 52 RBI and more walks (36) than strikeouts (19) this spring.
6. Xavier Neyens, 2025 MLB Draft (23): One of the top prep bats in the 2025 draft class, though there are some swing-and-miss concerns. Has a strong 6'4", 200-pound frame with 65-grade power and a rocket arm at third base and on the mound where he has been up to 95 mph with his fastball. Some boom-or-bust potential, but enough upside to make him a potential first-round pick.
7. Joswa Lugo, Los Angeles Angels (23): Landed a $2.3 million bonus as one of the top 2024 international prospects. Hit .301/.370/.466 with 19 extra-base hits in 53 games in his pro debut. Could earn a quick promotion to Single-A this year thanks to a hot start in rookie ball, which would expedite his MLB timetable.
8. Gavin Fien, 2025 MLB Draft (23): Hit .400 for Team USA in the 18U World Cup qualifier as part of a fantastic performance throughout the summer last year. Has not taken the step forward some were expecting during his senior season, but still possesses a 50-hit, 50-power offensive profile and brings a track record of production against high-end competition.
9. Caleb Bonemer, Chicago White Sox (24): Gatorade Player of the Year in Michigan last spring before going in the second round of the 2024 draft. Has quick hands and a good foundation for future power production. Hitting .275/.404/.462 with 11 extra-base hits and eight steals through 25 games at Single-A in his pro debut.
10. Kale Fountain, San Diego Padres (24): Imposing 6'5", 225-pound frame and a classic 40-hit, 60-power profile with the potential to fly up prospect rankings with an improved hit tool. Received a $1.7 million bonus, which was the equivalent of second-round money, as a fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft. His bat speed and strength is easy to dream on.
Nos. 30-26
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30. Kaelen Culpepper, Minnesota Twins
2030 Age: 27
Culpepper shifted to shortstop during his junior season at Kansas State, but played primarily third base as a freshman and sophomore where he is a better overall fit defensively. He hit .314/.402/.531 in 664 plate appearances during his three years on campus, and his polished hit tool should help him move quickly through the minors.
29. Miguel Vargas, Chicago White Sox
2030 Age: 30
A top 50 prospect prior to the 2022 (No. 40) and 2023 (No. 29) seasons, Vargas has yet to establish himself as a big league regular, but he is still only 25 years old. His strong on-base skills give him a solid offensive foundation if he can make more consistent contact, and he has a .225/.320/.333 line with a 10.9 percent walk rate in 147 plate appearances to kick off his first full season with the White Sox.
28. Ke'Bryan Hayes, Pittsburgh Pirates
2030 Age: 33
An elite defensive third baseman, Hayes has not developed as hoped offensively, and his 61 OPS+ over 396 plate appearances last season raised some serious questions about his long-term outlook. The 2023 NL Gold Glove winner is in the fourth season of an eight-year, $70 million extension, and while his glove and price tag will keep him in the everyday lineup, he might never take that next step.
27. Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies
2030 Age: 33
Bohm will reach free agency for the first time after the 2026 season, and he might be a prime candidate for a change of scenery by that time. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft has not developed into the 30-homer slugger he was expected to become, but he did post a 115 OPS+ with 44 doubles, 15 home runs and 97 RBI last year while starting the All-Star Game. How productive will he be in his mid-30?
26. Jesus Baez, New York Mets
2030 Age: 25
Baez was far from a top-tier prospect during the 2022 international signing period, landing a modest $275,000 bonus when he joined the Mets, and after two forgettable seasons in rookie ball he took a major step forward last year. In 72 games between Single-A and High-A, he hit .262/.335/.447 with 17 doubles, 11 home runs and 43 RBI, showing off some of the best raw power at that level of the minors.
Nos. 25-21
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25. Billy Amick, Minnesota Twins
2030 Age: 27
After a stellar sophomore season at Clemson, Amick transferred to Tennessee and hit .306/.387/.639 with 23 home runs and 65 RBI in 65 games while helping lead the Volunteers to the 2024 College World Series title. The Twins scooped him up with the No. 60 overall pick last summer, and he is off to a terrific start at High-A Cedar Rapids, hitting .342/.475/.447 in 21 games.
24. Mike Boeve, Milwaukee Brewers
2030 Age: 28
Boeve hit .401/.512/.563 with just nine strikeouts in 211 plate appearances during his junior season at Nebraska-Omaha, and those elite contact skills made him the No. 54 overall pick in the 2023 draft. He hit .338/.415/.471 in 342 plate appearances last year while reaching Double-A, boosting his prospect stock in the process. He is a capable third baseman who will be given every chance to stick there since his limited power does not fit well at first base.
23. LuJames Groover, Arizona Diamondbacks
2030 Age: 28
Another hit-over-power prospect from the 2023 draft class, Groover went six picks before Boeve at No. 48 overall to the D-backs following a standout junior season at NC State where he hit .332/.430/.546 with 13 home runs and 50 RBI in 57 games. His power plays more as a double hitter than an over-the-fence slugger, and he is off to a nice start at Double-A with a .305/.365/.568 line that includes seven doubles, six home runs and 13 RBI. Can he avoid a move to first base?
22. Jace Jung, Detroit Tigers
2030 Age: 29
Jung posted an .878 OPS with 27 doubles, 28 home runs and 82 RBI during his first full professional season in 2023 after going No. 12 overall in the 2022 draft following a standout college career at Texas Tech. He has been slow to find his footing in the big leagues, and the Tigers do not have as long of a runway to let him figure things out while they are trying to contend, but he still has All-Star potential thanks to his offensive ceiling.
21. Gavin Grahovac, Texas A&M University (2026 Draft)
2030 Age: 25
Grahovac set the Texas A&M single-season freshman record with 23 home runs last season while hitting .298/.390/.597 to help the Aggies reach the College World Series final. The 6'2", 220-pound slugger also struck out 95 times, so there are some swing-and-miss questions, and scouts will not get any answers this spring as he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery after just six games. The tools are there for him to be one of the first bats off the board in the 2026 draft and a future middle-of-the-order slugger.
Nos. 20-16
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20. Brice Matthews, Houston Astros
2030 Age: 28
With Cam Smith shifting to right field and Jeremy Peña entrenched at shortstop, Matthews now looks like the potential third baseman of the future for the Astros if his hit tool continues to develop. The No. 28 overall pick in the 2023 draft following a 20-homer, 20-steal season at Nebraska, he has a 55-power, 60-speed profile and could arrive in the majors soon after opening the 2025 season at Triple-A.
19. Brady House, Washington Nationals
2030 Age: 27
Originally drafted as a shortstop when he went No. 11 overall in the 2021 draft and inked an above-slot $5 million bonus, House has since outgrown the position as his 6'4" frame has filled out. He hit .241/.297/.402 with 21 doubles, 19 home runs and 66 RBI in 129 games between Double-A and Triple-A last year, and his approach at the plate is still a work in progress, but he has a chance to be a plus defender with 30-homer pop if everything clicks.
18. Brayden Taylor, Tampa Bay Rays
2030 Age: 28
Taylor hit .308/.430/.631 with 23 home runs and 70 RBI in 67 games during his junior season at TCU, capping off a stellar three-year college career before going No. 19 overall in the 2023 draft. He split his time between shortstop and third base last year, and while he is a quality athlete with plus tools across the board, the hot corner will likely be his long-term home.
17. Connor Norby, Miami Marlins
2030 Age: 30
After establishing himself as a top prospect in the Orioles system, Norby was traded to the Marlins last summer along with Kyle Stowers in exchange for left-hander Trevor Rogers. He posted a 106 OPS+ with eight doubles, seven home runs and 17 RBI in 36 games following the trade while settling in at third base, and he has a chance to develop into a cornerstone piece of their rebuilding efforts.
16. Cam Collier, Cincinnati Reds
2030 Age: 25
Collier has been one of the youngest players at every level going back to his season at JUCO powerhouse Chipola College when he was 17. His pro career has unfolded slowly, but he started to turn potential into production during the 2024 season. In 119 games at High-A, he hit .248/.355/.443 with 21 doubles, 20 home runs and 74 RBI, and he also took home Futures Game MVP honors in July. He is currently recovering from thumb surgery, but should make his Double-A debut as a 20-year-old later this year.
Nos. 15-11
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15. Tommy White, Las Vegas Athletics
2030 Age: 27
White hit .355/.419/.704 with 75 home runs and 249 RBI in 187 collegiate games, trimming his strikeout rate each season. Limited athleticism caused him to slip to the second round of the 2024 draft, and he will only go as far as his bat carries him. A .311/.403/.485 line with 12 extra-base hits and more walks than strikeouts over 26 games at High-A have his stock climbing, and while he may eventually need to shift to first base, the A's will give him every opportunity to stick at the hot corner with Nick Kurtz blocking his path across the diamond.
14. Jesús Made, Milwaukee Brewers
2030 Age: 23
No prospect from the 2024 international class did more to boost his stock in his pro debut than Made, who signed for $950,000 and then absolutely raked in the Dominican Summer League. He hit .331/.458/.554 with 21 extra-base hits, 28 steals and more walks (39) than strikeouts (28) in 51 games, and the Brewers sent him straight to Single-A for his stateside debut. A 60-hit, 60-power offensive profile could propel him to stardom, though he will likely just be getting settled in at the MLB level in 2030.
13. Noelvi Marté, Cincinnati Reds
2030 Age: 28
Marte was the prospect centerpiece in the deal that sent Luis Castillo to the Mariners, and while his development was derailed by an 80-game PED suspension last year, a hot start this season has him once again looking like a potential long-term piece. Still only 23 years old for the entire 2025 season, he is hitting .294/.342/.515 for a 132 OPS+ with three home runs and 17 RBI through 19 games.
12. Royce Lewis, Minnesota Twins
2030 Age: 31
In 154 career MLB games—roughly the equivalent of one full MLB season—Lewis has hit .265/.325/.492 for a 124 OPS+ with 27 doubles, 33 home runs, 104 RBI and 3.3 WAR. However, those numbers have come over parts of four seasons, and he has spent more time on the injured list than he has in the lineup since making his MLB debut. It's fair to wonder if he will ever be able to stay on the field long enough to truly emerge as a star, and his ranking reflects those question marks as much as his potential.
11. Josh Jung, Texas Rangers
2030 Age: 32
Jung dealt with some injury issues early in his pro career after going No. 8 overall in the 2019 draft, but he finally broke through in 2023 when he posted a 113 OPS+ with 25 doubles, 23 home runs, 70 RBI and 2.6 WAR in 122 games. That earned him an All-Star Game start and a fourth-place finish in AL Rookie of the Year voting, but he was sidelined again last year when a fractured right wrist limited him to 46 games. Similar to Lewis, he has the potential to be a top-10 guy at the position, but needs to prove he can stay on the field.
Nos. 10-6
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10. Jordan Westburg, Baltimore Orioles
2030 Age: 31
Overshadowed a bit by some of the other high-ceiling bats in the Orioles farm system, Westburg broke through last season to earn an All-Star selection and establish himself as the team's primary third baseman. The Mississippi State product hit .264/.312/.481 for a 128 OPS+ with 49 extra-base hits in 107 games, and his ability to also play second base and shortstop further adds to his value.
9. Isaac Paredes, Houston Astros
2030 Age: 31
After a 31-homer season in 2023 and an All-Star selection in 2024, Paredes found himself traded to the Cubs at the deadline last summer and then dealt again during the offseason in the Kyle Tucker blockbuster. He has been one of the few productive hitters in an underperforming Astros lineup, logging a 117 OPS+ over 152 plate appearances, and he could be in line for a nice payday when he reaches free agency for the first time after the 2027 season.
8. Matt Shaw, Chicago Cubs
2030 Age: 28
Despite struggling in his first taste of the big leagues after winning the Cubs starting third base job out of spring training, Shaw still has an extremely bright future. The No. 13 overall pick in the 2023 draft hit .284/.379/.488 with 21 home runs, 71 RBI and 31 steals in 121 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season, then starred for Team USA in the Premier12 tournament with a .412 average and 14 RBI in nine games. It's only a matter of time before he is back in the majors.
7. Mark Vientos, New York Mets
2030 Age: 30
Vientos was one of the breakout stars of the 2024 season, posting a 135 OPS+ with 22 doubles, 27 home runs and 71 RBI in 111 games after opening the year at Triple-A behind Brett Baty and Joey Wendle on the depth chart. He is a below-average defender at third base and likely would have shifted across the diamond to first base if Pete Alonso had signed elsewhere in free agency, so there's a chance he won't still be playing third base in 2030. His offensive game will continue to drive his value going forward.
6. Aidan Miller, Philadelphia Phillies
2030 Age: 26
Miller does not turn 20 years old until June 9, and he is already playing at the Double-A level where he is one of the youngest players in the Eastern League. The 2023 first-round pick hit .261/.366/.446 with 28 doubles, 11 home runs, 60 RBI and 23 steals in 102 games across three minor league levels last year. He has looked better than expected at shortstop, but still profiles best as a third baseman, and he looks like the obvious heir to Alec Bohm once he hits free agency after the 2026 season.
5. Colt Emerson, Seattle Mariners
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2030 Age: 24
One of the best pure hitters in the minor leagues right now, Colt Emerson is part of a crowded middle infield contingent in the Seattle farm system, and he has the arm and offensive ceiling to be the one who ends up shifting to third base from a group that also includes Cole Young, Felnin Celesten, Michael Arroyo and Tai Peete.
Only 19 years old and already playing at High-A Everett, Emerson hit .263/.393/.376 with 22 extra-base hits and almost as many walks (50) as strikeouts (58) in 70 games last season.
His 65-grade hit tool is the reason he is viewed as one of baseball's most promising offensive prospects, but he also has some untapped power and sneaky speed with a background as an all-state wide receiver in high school.
It's not out of the question to think he could debut at some point during the 2026 campaign, with a midseason call-up coinciding with his 21st birthday, and the Mariners have a clear path to playing time at third base.
4. Sebastian Walcott, Texas Rangers
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2030 Age: 24
Don't be surprised if Sebastian Walcott is the No. 1 prospect in baseball at this time next year.
One of the most hyped international prospects of the last few years, he turned his raw tools and sky-high potential into on-field production last year when he hit .265/.344/.452 with 34 doubles, nine triples, 11 home runs, 56 RBI and 27 steals in 121 games while reaching Double-A at the age of 18.
His age relative to his level is part of the reason he is often mentioned among the game's most exciting teenage prospects, and the Rangers continued to push him aggressively with an assignment to Double-A for his age-19 campaign.
As his 6'4", 190-pound frame continues to fill out he will almost certainly outgrow shortstop, and with his rocket arm and power potential he would profile well at third base or in right field.
3. Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays
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2030 Age: 26
Junior Caminero went from a low-level prospect with intriguing offensive tools to one of baseball's most promising up-and-comers during the 2023 season when he hit .324/.384/.591 with 31 home runs and 94 RBI in 117 games between High-A and Double-A as a teenager.
That was enough for him to begin the 2024 season as the No. 3 prospect in baseball, behind only Jackson Holliday and Jackson Chourio.
He took over as Tampa Bay's primary third baseman after Isaac Paredes was traded to the Cubs at the deadline, and he logged a 105 OPS+ with nine doubles, six home runs and 18 RBI in 177 plate appearances down the stretch.
Currently the youngest player in the majors, he has a 97 OPS+ with six home runs through 34 games, and while those numbers don't jump off the page he is just scratching the surface of his potential.
His underlying metrics further hint at bigger things to come, as he ranks among the MLB leaders in max exit velocity (98th percentile), hard-hit rate (83rd percentile) and bat speed (100th percentile).
2. Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves
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2030 Age: 33
One of the current stars at the third base position who should still have some prime-level performance left in the tank by the time the 2030 season rolls around, Austin Riley will also likely still be wearing a Braves uniform thanks to his 10-year, $212 million contract that runs through the 2032 campaign.
Injuries limited him to 110 games last year, but in the three seasons prior he hit .286/.354/.525 for a 135 OPS+ while averaging 35 doubles, 36 home runs, 99 RBI and 6.2 WAR as one of baseball's best power hitters.
His NL-leading 48 strikeouts in 36 games so far this season are a bit troubling, but even with all those whiffs he still has a 128 OPS+ with eight home runs, 25 RBI and 1.4 WAR.
Assuming that strikeout rate does not continue to trend in the wrong direction in the coming years, he is a reasonable contender for the top spot at third base for the foreseeable future, though another player claimed the No. 1 position in these rankings.
1. Marcelo Mayer, Boston Red Sox
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2030 Age: 27
Marcelo Mayer is going to make his MLB debut at some point during the 2025 season, though it's unclear how he fits into the team's plans defensively.
With Kristian Campbell at second base, Trevor Story at shortstop, Alex Bregman at third base and Rafael Devers at designated hitter, there is no clear path to playing time for one of the best prospects in baseball who is off to a fantastic start at the Triple-A level.
The No. 4 pick in the 2021 draft is hitting .273/.328/.504 with seven home runs and 35 RBI in 30 games, and while he is still playing primarily shortstop, he has made a handful of starts at second base and third base.
While he has good hands, he lacks the quick-twitch athleticism generally associated with the shortstop position, and his 6'3" frame and strong arm would be a clean fit at third base.
If Bregman decides to opt-out of the final two years of his three-year, $120 million deal this coming winter, Mayer would be the obvious answer to replace him at the hot corner. Otherwise, he might have to bounce around for a few seasons before finally settling in at his likely long-term defensive home.
