After Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies was excluded from the Top 10 Right Now list and Matt Olson found himself ranked below Bryce Harper at first base, doubts arose regarding MLB Network’s credibility. However, their recent release of the top 10 third basemen list met with our approval this time.
Tyler Matzek’s assertion that Braves players should be at the forefront of every position ranking if the lists were genuine gains some credence. MLB Network might have been striving to avoid appearing biased in their assessments, and in this instance, their hands were tied.
The standout performer in their latest ranking was Atlanta Braves all-star Austin Riley, who claimed the coveted title of the best third baseman in Major League Baseball, and it’s a well-deserved accolade. Riley’s impressive 2023 season, where he batted .281 with 37 home runs and 97 RBIs, alongside a notable 5.9 bWAR, nearly reached MVP levels, culminating in a 7th place finish in the National League MVP voting.
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Austin Riley’s excellence extends beyond a single outstanding season, as he has consistently been an underrated and underappreciated player in the league since 2019. In just five seasons, he boasts two All-Star game appearances, two Silver Slugger awards, and three top-7 MVP finishes. Notably, he was on the brink of clinching a Gold Glove award last season.
Despite concerns that Riley’s performance might decline or he might miss more games after signing a massive 10-year, $212 million contract, the opposite has proven true. Riley’s reliability shines through, having played 159 out of 162 games in each of the last two seasons. With a combination of impressive offensive production and unwavering stability, there’s no disputing that Austin Riley currently stands as the best third baseman in baseball.
