While the Los Angeles Dodgers have looked to sure up their infield as of late, Max Muncy has them covered at the hot corner as confirmed by MLB Network’s The Shredder ranking of the Top-10 Third Basemen Right Now for 2023.
Muncy appeared at eighth on the list, which represented a change from ranking a top-five first baseman every year from 2019-2022. The two-time All-Star made the transition to third because of the Dodgers signing Freddie Freeman, who was just ranked by The Shredder as the No. 2 first baseman heading into the 2023 season.
The Shredder ranked San Diego Padres All-Star Manny Machado as the top third baseman. He was followed by Cleveland Guardians’ José Ramírez, Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley, Boston Red Sox’s Rafael Devers, St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado, Houston Astros’ Alex Bregman, Red Sox’s Justin Turner, Muncy, Tampa Bay Rays’ Yandy Díaz and New York Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu.
Turner was ranked by The Shredder as the No. 4 third baseman for 2022, but went on to spend most of his time as the designated hitter for the Dodgers. He’ll likely fill the DH role with the Red Sox and make occasional starts at third base and potentially first base.
Muncy made most of his 136 starts at third base last year, and at the plate recorded a lowly year in the batter’s box, hitting for a career-worst .196 batting average to go along with 21 home runs and 69 RBI.
Despite falling short of expectations, Muncy had a strong month of August that saw him go 51-for-92. In addition to collecting at least two hits in six games, the month also saw Muncy sign a one-year, $13.5 million extension that includes a team option for 2024.
Lined up to be the Dodgers’ primary starter at third base in 2023, Muncy has 12 Defensive Runs Saved at the position since the start of 2019, which is the eighth-most during that span.
MLB Top-10 Third Basemen Right Now for 2023
| Rank | The Shredder | Mike Petriello | Sarah Langs | Vince Gennaro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manny Machado (Padres) | José Ramírez (Guardians) | Manny Machado (Padres) | José Ramírez (Indians) |
| 2 | José Ramírez (Guardians) | Nolan Arenado (Cardinals) | José Ramírez (Guardians) | Nolan Arenado (Cardinals) |
| 3 | Austin Riley (Braves) | Manny Machado (Padres) | Nolan Arenado (Cardinals) | Manny Machado (Padres) |
| 4 | Rafael Devers (Red Sox) | Rafael Devers (Red Sox) | Austin Riley (Braves) | Austin Riley (Braves) |
| 5 | Nolan Arenado (Cardinals) | Alex Bregman (Astros) | Rafael Devers (Red Sox) | Rafael Devers (Red Sox) |
| 6 | Alex Bregman (Astros) | Austin Riley (Braves) | Alex Bregman (Astros) | Alex Bregman (Astros) |
| 7 | Justin Turner (Red Sox) | Matt Chapman (Blue Jays) | Matt Chapman (Blue Jays) | DJ LeMahieu (Yankees) |
| 8 | Max Muncy (Dodgers) | Max Muncy (Dodgers) | Yandy Díaz (Rays) | Yandy Díaz (Rays) |
| 9 | Yandy Díaz (Rays) | Yandy Díaz (Rays) | Ryan McMahon (Rockies) | Matt Chapman (Blue Jays) |
| 10 | DJ LeMahieu (Yankees) | Gunnar Henderson (Orioles) | Ke'Bryan Hayes (Pirates) | Ryan McMahon (Rockies) |
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