MLB The Show 22 offers the most realism of any baseball game and a multitude of modes to satisfy your baseball needs. Building a World Series-caliber franchise is one of the most played modes in MLB The Show 22, which means you’ll want to know who the premier players are at each position.
Known as the “hot corner,” third basemen hold tremendous value on the left side of the infield. They must have a quality defense to either turn double plays or sling the ball across the diamond to first base. These are the best of the best players to man the hot corner.
8 Josh Donaldson, New York Yankees – 85
At 36-years-old, Josh Donaldson is entering the twilight of his career. For a guy who’s spent 12 years in the major leagues, the most time he’s ever spent with a team is only four seasons. After starting in Oakland in 2010, Donaldson had the best year of his career in 2015 with the Toronto Blue Jays, as he won American League MVP. Donaldson hopped around with Cleveland, Atlanta, and Minnesota, before being traded once more to the Yankees.
Donaldson’s offensive prowess has declined in recent years, but he remains a dangerous power hitter against left-handed pitching (96). With a perfect discipline rating (99), it’s difficult for opposing pitchers to strike him out. Donaldson isn’t the best defender with average ratings in fielding (73), arm strength (72), accuracy (69), and reaction time (81), but his big bat makes him a worthy third baseman to have on the roster.
7 Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox – 86
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It seems like one day, Rafael Devers suddenly appeared on the Red Sox and began dominating for Boston. Devers struggled initially in his first two seasons, but in 2019, posted career-highs in doubles (54), total hits, (201), RBI (115), and batting average (.311). Now in his sixth season, Devers looks to continue to establish himself as one of the top third basemen in the league.
As a left-handed hitter, Devers crushes right-handed pitching. He has a near-perfect power rating against righties (96), though it drops considerably against lefties (55). His fielding is extremely poor (61) but does have adequate arm strength (79) to deliver a strike to first base. At 25-years-old, Devers is still entering the prime of his career.
6 Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels – 86
After spending the first seven years of his career in Washington, including winning a World Series title with the Nationals, Anthony Rendon signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2020 to team up with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. It feels like Rendon’s been underrated when compared to other star players in the majors; in just his second season, Rendon finished fifth in MVP voting. It’s also a surprise that Rendon’s had four top-ten MVP finishes but only one All-Star selection. Recently, Rendon demonstrated his incredible hitting talents by hitting a two-run home run from the left side of the plate for the first time in his career.
Offensively, Rendon is one of the most balanced third basemen out there. Whether he’s against right-handers or lefties, he possesses solid contact (82 right, 72 left) and power (69 right, 82 left). Despite his solid offensive abilities, Rendon only has one quirk that boosts his ability to drive in runs with runners on base. Rendon might be considered a liability with his fielding (69) and arm strength (54), but again, his offensive capabilities make up for a possible lapse in defense.
5 Alex Bregman, Houston Astros – 86
Throughout the recent resurgent years for the Houston Astros, many give credit to superstars Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Justin Verlander. But lost in the accolades and praise is third baseman, Alex Bregman. Making his MLB debut in 2016, Bregman exploded in 2018 and 2019, earning two All-Star selections and two top-five MVP finishes. His production dipped slightly in 2020 and 2021, but he remains a top player at the position.
Bregman isn’t known for his power, though he excels at making contact against left-handed pitching (90). With above-average ratings in vision (80), discipline (86), and clutch (88), Bregman doesn’t strike out often or commit many useless outs. His defense is pretty average (72) but his championship pedigree is essential when building a roster.
4 Matt Chapman, Toronto Blue Jays – 87
After spending the first five seasons of his career with the Oakland A’s, Matt Chapman was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in the previous offseason. Chapman might’ve flown under the radar for most people with Oakland not being a particularly good team in his tenure, but the 28-year-old is a premier third baseman.
Unlike many other top players at his position, Chapman is one of the few defensive stars. Behind his high ratings in fielding (92), arm strength (81), and reaction time (96), Chapman’s won three Gold Glove awards in his six-year career. He’s a defensive mastermind at third base, though his offense is a bit lacking. Chapman’s also among the faster third basemen on the basepaths with a decent speed rating (68).
3 Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians – 94
The top three third basemen in MLB The Show 22 are in a separate tier of their own, starting with Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez. The 29-year-old has had a stellar ten-year career in Cleveland, highlighted by three top-three MVP finishes and three All-Star selections. Before the start of the 2022 season, Ramirez signed a massive seven-year, $141 million contract extension with the Guardians.
At the plate, Ramirez is surprisingly a better power hitter against righties (89) than lefties (79), despite being a right-handed hitter. To make this even more confusing, Ramirez is a better contact hitter against lefties (78) than righties (62). Ramirez is quick on the basepaths (69) and tends to be a bit aggressive (70) in pushing the tempo. On the field, he has solid ratings in fielding (74) and reaction time (76). One of the better quirks that Ramirez possesses is Unfazed, being able to deliver timely hits with two strikes.
2 Manny Machado, San Diego Padres – 94
Despite playing for a not-so-good team in the Orioles, Manny Machado emerged as a bona fide superstar in Baltimore. After securing three top-ten MVP finishes and three All-Star selections, Machado was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018, but elected to sign with the division rival San Diego Padres at the end of the season.
Without question, Machado is one of the best clutch hitters in the game (97). He mashes left-handed pitching (89) and has decent contact against both righties (73) and lefties (75). Even though Machado is a dangerous hitter, he’s among a select few that also excels defensively. He has incredible arm strength (95) and above-average ratings in fielding (80) and reaction time (86). Although he’s been in the league for 11 years, Machado is still only 29-years-old, so there are plenty of years left in his tank.
1 Nolan Arenado, St. Louis Cardinals – 95
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Coming in as the best third baseman in MLB The Show 22 is none other than Nolan Arenado. Since he began his career with the Colorado Rockies in 2013, Arenado has been, without a doubt, the best defensive third baseman in the majors. Throughout his career, Arenado has won nine straight Gold Glove awards. He’s been a perennial MVP candidate and All-Star regular, and now that he’s in St. Louis, might be in a position to secure a World Series championship.
With his treasure trove of defensive awards, it’s not a surprise to see Arenado’s outstanding ratings in fielding (94), arm strength (84), accuracy (83), and reaction (99). But what makes Arenado so special is the dominance on the field and at the plate. The third baseman destroys left-handed pitching (contact 86, power 98) and hardly gets injured (96). Because of Arenado’s all-around mastery on the diamond, the best third baseman in MLB The Show 22 resides in the Gateway to the West.
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