The Top-5 at Third Base should have your attention. They’ve earned that right. After that top group disappears off of the board there are questions to be answered and in most cases the answers we both need and want to hear are few and far between. If you don’t run into the top-tier, search out the middle rounds for the upside potential in the Kazuma Okamoto, Addison Barger, Miguel Vargas, Caleb Durbin, and Marcelo Mayer’s of the world. Solid options at reasonable price points makes for a solid approach when filling the “hot corner.”
1. Jose Ramirez, CLE – We’ve now seen five consecutive 20/20 seasons the last two of which have been 30/30. One of the best in the business and a consensus Top-5 pick heading into 2026.
2. Junior Caminero, TBR – Caminero is already one of the most feared sluggers in the game and he doesn’t turn 23 until next July.
3. Jazz Chisholm Jr., NYY – Chisholm enjoyed his second highest career total in plate appearances (531) and responded with a 31 homer, 31 stolen base campaign. He was one of only seven players to go 30/30 in 2025. It doesn’t get much better than that but if Chisholm could ever find his way to get in 600 at-bats it can’t be ruled out. 2B-101
4. Maikel Garcia, KCR – Maikel Garcia doesn’t need the fences coming in at Kauffman to be a great player, but it won’t hurt his cause.
5. Manny Machado, SDP – The last full season in which Manny Machado failed to hit at least 25 home runs was 2014. He may not be who he once was but he’s still pretty darn good.
6. Jordan Westburg, BAL – Multiple IL stints cost the young “O” roughly half a season and we still witnessed a 17 home run campaign. If Westburg can find a way to stay on the field that current 9’th round investment could reap huge returns.
7. Austin Riley, ATL – After a great three-year run to start his career, Riley has simply struggled to stay on the field. A return to the 600 at-bat days of 2021-to-2023 could see a return to Top-3 status.
8. Eugenio Suarez, Cin – Power is the name of the game and plenty of it. He tied his career high last year with 49 homers and set a new high by driving in 118 runs. The only concern would be the high strikeout rates, but haven’t they always been a concern?
9. Alex Bregman, CHC – Low-20’s home run production combined with a great hit tool looks to be in the cards for Bregmans immediate future. Just don’t overpay for that production.
10. Kazuma Okamoto, TOR – The former Yomuiri Giants captain found a great landing spot in Toronto. A strong hit tool and under-appreciated power potential makes for a speculative pick worthy of investment and that level of investment is considerably lower than the upside potential. Doesn’t that constitute a bargain?
11. Noelvi Marte, CIN – He’s young and still working on making up for lost time but the 14 home runs and 10 stolen bases in a pinch more than half a season is a great stepping stone for better days ahead. OF-54
12. Matt Chapman, SFG – Chapman has slugged 27 home runs in three of the past five seasons. He has also driven in 70+ RBI’s in those same three years. If a 25-home run 70+ RBI season floats your boat, pull up the anchor and enjoy the ride.
13. Addison Barger, TOR – He’s still young with upside power potential but the high K rates will put pressure on the BA. There will be a 25-80 type season in his future. OF-57
14. Jose Caballero, NYY – Jose Caballero has stolen 93 bases over the past two seasons. Pencil in a safe floor of 40 thefts with potentially more as Anthony Volpe (coming off shoulder surgery), is currently not looking at getting back on the field until at the earliest the end of April. 2B-23, SS-43, OF-46
15. Alec Bohm, PHI – When you have Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper hitting ahead of you in the lineup you should have 80+ RBI’s. Just don’t count on the power ever returning to the 20 home runs he hit back in 2023.
16. Max Muncy, LAD – He was just beginning to heat up after his return at the beginning of August from a knee injury when the strained oblique popped up. This combination of injuries ruined what was a solid first half for the 35-year-old Muncy. There’s still another 30 home run season in the bat. It just has to stay on the field.
17. Miguel Vargas, CWS – Vargas never found consistent playing time with the Dodgers but that hasn’t been a problem since moving to the “South Side.” He’s coming off a season in which he hit 16 homers while driving in 60 runs and scoring 80 runs. Hitting in the cleanup slot should provide for a boost in the RBI numbers. 1B-63
18. Royce Lewis, MIN – Lewis finally found a way to break the 300 at-bat mark, but not by enough. If only he could stay on the field.
19. Caleb Durbin, MIL – He doesn’t hit the ball hard but does possess solid speed and a great hit tool. Would anyone (other than the Yankees) complain about a 10 homer, 20 SB, .270 BA/.340 OBP season in 2026?
20. Marcelo Mayer, BOS – So much potential. So little of it showing up on his resume. If you’re betting on upside potential, he’s a great target at a bargain basement price.
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