The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner was ranked the No. 4 third baseman for the 2022 season by MLB Network’s The Shredder. He placed on the list last year as well, when he checked in as the sixth-best player at his position.
Like all of the other rankings compiled by The Shredder, the evaluation of third basemen took into account a three-year sample, with the 2021 weighed more heavily. It factored in WAR and wRC+ in addition to Statcast metrics. Defense was weighed more heavily compared to second base and third base.
José Ramírez, who was the No. 4 ranked third baseman last season, claimed the top spot from Anthony Rendon. Ramírez is followed by Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman to round out the top three. Placing after Turner were Josh Donaldson (No. 5), Rendon, Manny Machado, Nolan Arenado, Yoán Moncada and Kris Bryant.
Ramírez, Turner, Donaldson were the only players who jumped in The Shredder’s rankings from last season. Devers, Moncada and Bryant are newcomers on this year’s list.
MLB Network analyst Sarah Langs did not include Turner on her list of the top-10 third basemen for the 2022 season. Vince Gennaro ranked Turner seventh, and Mike Petriello one spot lower.
Turner got off to a hot start for the Dodgers and slugged six home runs in April, which set a career high for the first month of a regular season. He finished the year batting .278/.361/.471 with 22 doubles, 27 home runs and 87 RBI over 151 games.
Turner’s .367 on-base percentage was third among current third basemen who had at least 300 plate appearances last season, trailing only Moncada (.375) and Austin Riley (.367)
Among current third basemen with at least 400 plate appearances since 2020, Turner ranks third in on-base percentage (.370) and wRC+ (129), fifth in xwOBA (.368), seventh in slugging percentage (.469), and is tied for seventh in WAR (5.2).
The Shredder’s Top-10 third basemen right now for 2022
| Rank | The Shredder | Mike Petriello | Sarah Langs | Vince Gennaro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | José Ramírez (Indians) | José Ramírez (Indians) | José Ramírez (Indians) | José Ramírez (Indians) |
| 2 | Rafael Devers (Red Sox) | Rafael Devers (Red Sox) | Nolan Arenado (Cardinals) | Alex Bregman (Astros) |
| 3 | Alex Bregman (Astros) | Manny Machado (Padres) | Rafael Devers (Red Sox) | Rafael Devers (Red Sox) |
| 4 | Justin Turner (Dodgers) | Nolan Arenado (Cardinals) | Manny Machado (Padres) | Manny Machado (Padres) |
| 5 | Josh Donaldson (Yankees) | Austin Riley (Braves) | Austin Riley (Braves) | Nolan Arenado (Cardinals) |
| 6 | Anthony Rendon (Angels) | Alex Bregman (Astros) | Alex Bregman (Astros) | Austin Riley (Braves) |
| 7 | Manny Machado (Padres) | Yoán Moncada (White Sox) | Kris Bryant (Rockies) | Justin Turner (Dodgers) |
| 8 | Nolan Arenado (Cardinals) | Justin Turner (Dodgers) | Matt Chapman (A's) | Matt Chapman (A's) |
| 9 | Yoán Moncada (White Sox) | Matt Chapman (A's) | Eduardo Escobar (Mets) | Yoán Moncada (White Sox) |
| 10 | Kris Bryant (Rockies) | Anthony Rendon (Angels) | Yoán Moncada (White Sox) | Kris Bryant (Rockies) |
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
