THIRD BASE. Willie Mays SB. Muncy is an American-born professional baseball infielder playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB. FOR HIS CAREER, hes averaging 35 homers and 113 RBIs on a yearly basis with a .288 average and an .880 OPS. [1] He played professionally for the Baltimore Orioles in the 1902 season. Uras missed the first 23 games of the season with a quad strain and took some time to get going once he returned, but he ultimately posted a 110 OPS+ with 17 doubles, 16 home runs and 47 RBI in 472 plate appearances. Yogi Berra 57 Injuries opened the door for the 30-year-old to step into an everyday role, and he hit .274/.335/.520 for a 128 OPS+ with 22 doubles, 20 home runs and 59 RBI in 92 games before the Reds traded him to the San Diego Padres at the Aug. 2 deadline. THESE KIND OF ENTRIES DO NOTHING TO EDUCATE OR ENTERTAIN THE MASSES WHO SO OFTEN HAVE NO IDEA OF THE REAL, CORRECT FACTS For those who think he belongs higher, it's tough to justify slotting him further up this list. Virginia third baseman Jake Gelof hit a ball to deep center. Machado in his first four seasons with the Padres has batted .280/.352/.504 (136 OPS+) with 108 home runs. For this guide, I took an average of the heights and weights of the 66 third basemen across the league. 1. @ozzie is hoping to make them proud. A curated list of choices recommended by ballplayers across the nation. He slowly worked his way up to Major League Baseball playing every position except first base and catcher. Copyright 2023 The Modest Man (Registered Trademark), 46 Famous Short Male Athletes Who Reached the Top, Lionel Messi Height, Net Worth, and Red Cards (Everything You Want to Know), How to Dress Well In Your 40s and 50s (and Beyond), Where to Buy Clothes for Short Men (2022 Guide), 31 Great Watches For Small Wrists (Updated for 2023), Top 8 Best Business Casual Shoes for Men (2023 Guide), The Complete Guide to Business Casual Style for Men. Mookie Betts (@mookiebetts). FIRST BASE. . . The DH role might be where the 38-year-old fits best after the Dodgers declined his $16 million club option. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Why wasnt Albie Pearson on your list of shortest major league baseball players? His 11% K rate last year tied for ninth in MLB. . The man who regularly swings the biggest bat in baseball is 34 years old, a decade into his major league career, . Pitchers (84) Catchers (19) First Basemen (26) Second Basemen (20) Third Basemen (18) Shortstops (26) Left Fielders (23) Center Fielders (24) Right Fielders (27) Designated Hitters (3) Managers (23) Umpires (10) Executives (40) There are four categories in which a baseball legend can become an immortal by election to the National Baseball Hall . The No. LEFT FIELD. To honor his legacy, Ozzie used his fathers teachings to reach the top of his game. In 2021, Jose Ramirez led all qualified third baseman in wRC+ at 137, and he was 1.6 wins above replacement better than the next best player at the position. The Rockies signed him to a six-year, $70 million extension in March. RIGHT FIELD. Tony Kemp 56, Marcus Stroman 57 Hes got a laser beam from third, and if you made a top 10 list of plays of the decade, hed probably have a few of them. he likely wont be available outside of the top five. He became the first player born in Mexico to win a Gold Glove since Fernando Valenzuela in 1986. A full offseason to rest and recover should make him a solid bounce-back candidate in 2023. Dinty Gearin, who was the shortest MLB pitcher to play baseball standing at 5'4, won 2 games and lost 4 in his career. Bregman used to crush them, hitting around .300 against sliders and curveballs. The right-handed batter played as an amateur free agent for the Astros from 2007 and made his MLB debut in 2011. Known as one of the scrappiest MLB players of all time, Freddie Patek didnt have a lot of size or power, but he more than made up for it with heart and love for the game. Tier 4: Max Muncy, Eugenio Surez, Matt Chapman, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Alec Bohm, Josh Rojas, Josh Jung, Brandon Drury, Ryan . PRIME = WAR in 5 . For the fourth time in the last six years, Cleveland Guardians star Jos Ramrez finished in the top five in AL MVP voting in 2022, checking in fourth behind Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and Yordan Alvarez. Hoos . He really did everything at the highest level, from hitting, to hitting with power, to locking down the middle of the field on defense. Rendon dealt with a hip injury all season, which dampened his ability to move laterally on the infield and generate power in his swing. ALL-TIME TOP 100 LISTS. Altuve has succeeded against all odds, garnering a growing list of accolades through his stellar career. Since then, hes been a below-average hitter (89 wRC+) who has struggled versus right-handed hurlers (career .682 OPS). His impact on the game was monumental, even if his size was not. The 36-year-old could be on the move again this offseason as the Yankees try to cut their losses. Whenever it feels like the prototypical baseball player has reached a new ridiculous standard of height, youll always be able to count on a little guy with big talent to come in and shake things up. I've always loved the NFL Combine. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The Astros boast the shortest MLB player in Jose Altuve, but the Nationals have a secret weapon in Adam Eaton More than 100 MLB players are under six feet, and six of them are on the Nationals roster. Catch up on the Top 25 in 2022 series: Catchers, First Basemen, Second Basemen, Shortstops. Right Fielder. Rendon was asked how hes feeling this season, saying its night and day how he feels from last season. Unlike some of the guys on this list, Morgan wasnt a specialty player. Finally, if youd like to see the full position-by-position breakdown, check out the average heights and weights of major league baseball players by position. When we watch Riley, we see a decent defender but nothing that truly stands out as elite. I took the 40-Man Rosters for the 2023 Major League Baseball season, almost 1200 players total and broke them down by position. CENTER FIELD. Who leads all MLB Third Basemen in HRs, Batting Average & more? Never miss a post, plus grab this free guide (instant download). The Guardians leader complements his potent bat with plus speed and baserunning. Those pull-heavy ways also mean Bregman could see a statistical bump thanks to the new shift rules. For the 10th straight season, Arenado took home NL Gold Glove honors, and deservedly so based on his elite defensive metrics (19 DRS, 11.8 UZR/150) and usual highlight reel of standout plays. PEORIA, ARIZ. - The San Diego Padres have signed third baseman Manny Machado to a new 11-year contract through the 2033 season, President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Despite an uphill battle as a brand new program, LIU men's basketball has represented New York City the best way possible: by staying positive How tall do you have to be to make it to football's highest level? I've always loved the NFL Combine. Muncy dealt with nagging injuries all season while also adjusting to being pushed off his natural position of first base. If they ever get to the plate they can show what they can do. Welcome to the Wide Range of Baseball Players. McMahon was a productive two-way player once again for the Rockies, hitting .246/.327/.414 with 23 doubles, 20 home runs and 67 RBI while posting stellar defensive metrics (11 DRS, 3.3 UZR/150) to earn a place among the NL Gold Glove finalists. Riley broke out in the biggest way. The No. A series of events to evaluate the physical characteristics of the best college football players each year. Alejandro Kirk has 17 consecutive Plate Appearances without a Swing and Miss pic.twitter.com/p7J3vyprcd. Heres all the stats Devers finished top three in 2021 at third base. 1926, '27, '28, '30. Hes still third in fWAR and first in wRC+ since 2019 at the position, and hes walked more than hes struck out in that span. The speedy second baseman has been a steady contributor so far in his young career. A post shared by Wongs father spent two years in the minor leagues and raised his son to follow in his footsteps. He had the same slugging percentage as Rafael Devers. Casas has long been Boston's gem in the farm system and finally got his shot at some MLB run late last season. The 33-year-old hit .321/.385/.596 with eight home runs and 25 RBI in 122 plate appearances over the final month to salvage an otherwise disappointing season. The San Diego Padres struck again Sunday morning, agreeing to pay all-star third baseman Manny Machado $350 million over the next 11 years, according to a person familiar with the situation. Ozzie Albies lost his father in 2013. Forty homers are possible for Riley, whose fantasy floor will remain high for as long as hes in the middle of Atlantas loaded lineup. BUT, the guy still hit 34 homers and drove in 105. The 31-year-old led the American League with 196 strikeouts, but he still hit .236/.332/.459 for a 129 OPS+ while tallying 24 doubles, 31 home runs and 87 RBI in a 3.9-WAR season while serving as a veteran leader on a young Seattle squad. Who tops the list? 25-21 He also logged a double-digit walk rate for the fourth straight year and has shown decent pop at the plate. #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/kx4FsitgIF. Los Angeles Dodgers. To this day, he owns the record for most runs scored in a single season with 198 in 1894 the same year he batted over .400. View this post on Instagram. He closed out the season with a 122 OPS+, slugging 31 doubles and 28 home runs in a career-high 568 plate appearances. The third base position is one of the toughest positions to rank. Nine of Patek's 14 major league seasons were spent with the Royals, and during that span . Center Fielder 9. Answer (1 of 12): Most credit Moonlight Graham or Eddie Gaedel with having the the shortest Major League career. He stood at only 59 short for any era and quickly proved he belonged in a big mans game. Moncada had a 97 wRC+ and a league-leading 217 strikeouts. One of the most overpaid players in baseball in 2022 with a $21.8 million salary, Donaldson hit .222/.308/.374 for a 94 OPS+ with 28 doubles, 15 home runs and . Josh Donaldson may not be on the best contract and is 36 years old, but there is a reason the New York Yankees made the move to acquire him this offseason. The TEAM!!! Joe Sewell 56 Dustin Pedroia (@dustinpedroiaofficial). From 58 to 65 and 140 pounds to 250 pounds, it appears that there is definitely not a one-size-fits-all for playing third base. The Rays bought low on Paredes prior to the season, acquiring the former top-100 prospect from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Austin Meadows. Now he can even spend some time at DH to keep his bat in the lineup. An elbow injury suffered on the final day of the 21 season might be to blame for his terrible first half. Alex Bregman still checks in at number 10, but he runs the risk of falling out of the top 10 entirely based on some of the trends of the last few seasons. Surez hit .236/.332/.459 (.791 OPS) with a team-leading 31 homers and 4.1 wins above replacement, per FanGraphs, eighth-most among third basemen. 2021 Stats: 58 G, .240/.329/.382, .711 OPS, 95 wRC+, 6 HR, 34 RBI, 0 SB, 11.6% BB, 16.5% K, 0.7 fWAR, -6 DRS, -6 OAA. Defensively, Ramirez has sneakily been phenomenal throughout his career. No spam. Selected 532nd overall in 2009, hes built quite an impressive resume in his long career. Ill let you use your imagination. Since his age-24 season five years ago, hes got three top-three MVP finishes, and last year finished sixth. He just died a couple of days ago. RELATED:61 Most Inspirational Baseball Quotes of All-Time. We guessed that middle infielders (shortstop and second basemen) are the shortest players on the field. Most: 3 (Jimmie Foxx, Albert Pujols) Highest bWAR in MVP season: 11.8 (Lou Gehrig, 1927) Jimmie Foxx was the first player in Major League history to win three MVP Awards, earning two with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1932-33 and another with the Red Sox in '38. A slightly above average hitter with a knack for getting on base, Rizzuto really shined on defense his 1217 career double plays turned still ranks in the top 20 all time at his position. His 36 homers were the second-most, only behind Devers. Others are well-built studs who pack more power than their frame indicates. The OPS number ticked down in his first year in St. Louis. Since 2020, hes hitting closer to .200, and hes seen his production fall during those years. His sterling defense will keep him in Torontos lineup, and his home park is becoming a little friendlier to fly-ball hitters. In 54 games as a 22-year-old, he was average. Previously, Peter worked for the New York, Myles Naylor Ranks on the Top 100 2023 Draft List. 12 " - 12 ". Drurys stat line with the Angels will probably fall somewhere between his All-Star-caliber first half in Cincinnati last year and his second-half swoon with San Diego. 1 prospect in MLB also has eligibility at shortstop, further enhancing his fantasy value. Hes not just one of the best hitters among third baseman; hes one of the best hitters in the game. One of the shortest shortstops to ever play the game, Rabbit piled up over 2,600 career hits, 28 home runs, a MVP runner-up season and even a World Series win in his sophomore season. The average weight of a major league baseball third baseman is 202.11 pounds. Listing the top salaries, cap hits, cash, earnings, contracts, and bonuses, for all active MLB players. THIS PIECE IS FACTUALLY NOT AT ALL INFORMATIVE AS YOU LEFT OUT AS MANY AS YOU LISTED When all was said and done for Little Joe, he had tallied 10 All-Star Bids, won two World Series and been named Gold Glove recipient a whopping five times. If healthy, Muncy could once again be a difference-maker at the plate. Pitcher 2. Though he wasnt necessarily known for his defensive play, the undersized Sewell was a master at the plate. Its unlikely that he will ever match his 41 homers from 2019, but Bregman provides useful production with elite strikeout and walk rates. Still, it is hard to understand exactly who is going to be moving forward after a down year in 2021. and McGwire, the St. Louis Cardinals first baseman, was portrayed as the hero baseball needed: part humble . Hes always had that desire to just want to get better, said Vince Harrison, Joshs brother, and current MiLB coach. Is Manny Machado the most underrated player in baseball these days? He was at least 30% better than league average as a hitter in 2018, 2019 and 2021, according to wRC+. Scratch that, a lot of people (including the folks in Cooperstown) think Joe Morgan is one of the best MLB players of all time, period. MarK III, Kirby Puckett ~ World Series MVP Fantasy managers can slot him in at second base, too. What's interesting, however, is to look at each position and see where the outliers are. Best Season: 1964 - .313/.398/.564 with 30 home runs, 114 RBIs, 86 walks, .962 OPS, 8.5 offensive WAR, 0.8 defensive WAR and 8.7 fWAR Santo had one of the greatest peaks that a third baseman has ever had, as his WAR7 - a metric that measures your seven peak years - is fourth in baseball history among players at the position.The Chicago icon packed a ton into 15 seasons, as he made nine All . Just how good was Pudge behind the plate? In the playoffs! 2021 Stats: 144 G, .263/.375/.412, .787 OPS, 122 wRc+, 14 HR, 61 RBI, 3 SB, 13.6% BB, 25.5% K, 4.5 fWAR, 3 DRS, -1 OAA. You'll get excellent reach. Will the Red Sox hammer out a long-term extension before he reaches free agency next offseason? Fans have witnessed players of all shapes and sizes succeed at the sports highest level. My father was very instrumental to me, Torreyes told The Philadelphia Inquirer. An elite bat, great defense, and championship mentality is what you get from Rendon, we just hope he can rebound. He is an outstanding defender worth 26 outs above average as a second baseman . They are just bona fide sluggers who swing and miss often. However, that obscures his hot streak over the seasons final two months. Last season, Escobar hit .253/.314/.472, with 27 home runs and 90 RBIs. First pitch he sees, first big league hit for Trent Giambrone! Leury Garcia sends the fans home happy! Other sources list Bob Emmerich (1923 Boston Braves) and Mike McCormack (1904 Brooklyn Superbas) among others, who were all listed at 53 in the record books. A post shared by The 31-year-old posted a 121 OPS+ with 27 doubles, 13 home runs and 64 RBI in a 3.1-WAR season. The data might surprise you. If we get 90% of what Anthony Rendon was, we are still looking at a fringe top-five third basemen. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The 2022 NL MVP runner-up should absolutely thrive while batting between names such as Soto, Bogaerts and Tatis Jr. this summer. According to The Sporting News, Altuve tied one other player this year as the shortest player to appear in an MLB game.Tony Kemp, an Oakland Athletics second baseman who appeared in 131 games this year, also is listed at 5-foot-6. 9 on this list is going to be criminal in two months. Rafael Devers ranked fifth in OPS+ among qualified third basemen, and his defensive metrics were the worst of those five players. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Hes still just 29 and has racked up 40.4 fWAR for his career. Machado had initially signed a 10-year, $300 million . Earning $11.3 million in each of the next two years, he wasn't a salary throw-in, by any means; the Mariners recognize that he was even more productive than they envisioned. We arent particularly worried, but slightly cautious about ranking Anthony Rendon as the sixth-best third basemen. The best defender on planet earth. At least you know what you are going to get when you take McMahon in the later rounds of your draft: At least 20 homers, a decent enough batting average and a handful of steals. For his part, Madrigal admitted some jitters about his first ever game at third base, knowing that the ball was going to find him. The standard size for a baseball infield glove is 11.25 to 12 inches, and 11.5 to 12.5 inches for softball. And from there, the step becomes more like a cliff, with players at the back end of the positions top 10 carrying significant risks. He wrapped up the season by finishing sixth in NL MVP voting as he cemented his place as one of the best young run producers in baseball. Though he stood only 56 and weighed around 190 pounds, he was an incredible power hitter throughout his 12 year career. Uras was one of the most underrated players in baseball during the 2022 season. 2021 Stats: 91 G, .270/.355/.422, .777 OPS, 115 wRC+, 12 HR, 55 RBI, 2 SB, 11% BB, 13.3% K, 2.0 fWAR, 2 DRS, 0 OAA. A terrific defender and notorious class clown, Maranville carved out an astounding 23-year career in the big leagues a mark that wouldnt be bested until Pete Rose came along some 50 years later. Yandy Daz and the #Rays are closing in on a three-year, $24 million contract extension, sources tell me and @Feinsand. To this day, Albies prays to his dad before every big league game. 12. Youre ready to play. His Statcast metrics dont pop out at you, but Ramrez puts up steady, high-level production because he leans into his pull-side power and hits a ton of fly balls. A post shared by His 151 wRC+ in 2022 was a personal best and ranked seventh among qualified batters. Now we'll finalize those rankings while expanding the list to the 25 best at each position. . His 14.0 percent walk rate tied for fifth-highest in the majors, and his 10.8 percent strikeout rate was the fifth-lowest among qualified hitters. However, Chapman probably deserves a slight edge between the two. ADDITIONALLY, NO ONE TALLER THAN 5 7 SHOULD BE LISTED, EITHER, AS THERE ARE TOO MANY TO LIST Entering just his age-26 season, perhaps we have yet to see Devers at his zenith. He was dealing with a hip injury, which limited his production to the point where it was the worst offensive season of his career. MLB LVBP VENEZUELA (@baseball.venezuela). A defensive wizard, Rizzuto was an anchor for a Yankees team that went on to win seven World Championsionships during his 13 years with the team. Who did we leave out? He hit .315 with a .915 OPS and pumped out 25 bombs. A post shared by If you grab someone from these top tiers, you will have a leg up on your competition. He was 55 and I dont see him on this list. MLB pitchers are some of the tallest pro athletes on the planet. Fans have witnessed players of all shapes and sizes succeed at baseballs highest level. NEW YORK CITY - (Sports Satire) - Baseball fans all over America are in amazement at the newly-signed first baseman with the New York Yankees. Arenado has recorded at least 30 homers in each of the past seven full seasons. But when hes on, hes simply one of the best all-around 3Bs. The result was a unique season relative to what one might expect out of a 3.5-WAR player, but there's no denying the value he provided with a 143 OPS+ and 42 extra-base hits in 558 plate appearances. You could even be a third baseman looking for a little more control. Marv Rotblatt was 56 and left off of several lists. Let's discuss each fielding position in . Hes the most consistent third baseman in baseball. Your email address will not be published. Given the arrival of bigger bases and Clevelands desire to run the club attempted the fourth-most steals last season Ramrez could see an increase in stolen bases. During his career in the Majors, Dinty pitched in 13 games. The third base position has one of the largest ranges of body types of any position (especially if you dont include pitchers). Twelve times Cobb won the American League batting title and still holds the Major League Baseball all-time record for career batting average at .366. Jake Lamb (31): A productive everyday third baseman with the D-Backs at his 2016-17 peak, Lamb hasn't been . However, following the signing of Evan Longoria, there may not be 500-plus plate appearances available for Rojas like there were in 2021 and 22. That led to his worst offensive and defensive season to date. He added 20 steals for the fourth 20/20 season of his career. It helped give many players the extra motivation needed to gain weight when they were able to compare themselves to guys at the next level. Only National League home run champ Kyle Schwarber (51.1%) had a higher fly-ball rate than Ramrez (50.6%) last season. Jose Altuve is the shortest active MLB athlete as of 2022. The 28-year-old hit .269/.349/.391 for a 111 OPS+ with 35 extra-base hits and 23 steals in 26 attempts. Hes truly one of the toughest players to rank going into the season, 2021 Stats: 151 G, .210/.314/.403, .717 OPS, 101 wRC+, 27 HR, 72 RBI, 3 SB, 12.9% BB, 32.5%, 3.4 fWAR, 10 DRS, 17 OAA. And that's exactly what you would have hoped to see. He hit 27 bombs and hit a couple of balls well over 110 miles per hour. There's no need to oversell or undersell it. The mission of Horton Barbell is to help as many athletes (and coaches) as possible maximize their athletic potential. Leury . Second Basemen: Second basemen wear the smallest gloves because they are lighter weight. 61 Most Inspirational Baseball Quotes of All-Time. There are 7 guys listed at 64 or taller. Devers rated as the worst overall defender at the position. . SECOND BASE. Their lanky builds, wide wingspans and giant stride-lengths work like a medieval trebuchet, launching the baseball at mach speeds. The question shouldnt be where Jose Ramirez ranks among third baseman, but instead how close is he to being a top-10 or even top-five player in the game. Horton Barbell was created by Ryan Horton who has served as a Strength and Conditioning Coach and Sports Scientist for almost 20 years at schools like the University of Tennessee, Temple University and Georgia Tech. Average Height of an MLB Third Baseman. In terms of pure power, Riley is unmatched at the hot corner. A series of events to evaluate the physical characteristics of the best college football players each year. Just Baseball's rankings of the top third basemen in baseball. His baseball career wasnt long lived he only appeared in 13 career games during the 1911 season but the impact of his presence was felt for decades afterward. Many of his records still stand despite Keeler retiring after the 1910 season. Harry Chappas was listed as 53 but according to him he is 55 but definitely should be on this list either way. Our fourth best third basemen has been in the league since 2017, yet hes only 25 years old.Rafael Devers of the Red Sox has not only been one of the best bats at the position, but in the entire league. Riley debuted to play 80 games in 2019, and had an 85 wRC+ with a 36% strikeout rate. Rounding out the list is ol' Pudge Rodriguez, who deserves a mention for being one of the best defensive players in MLB history despite standing a few inches shorter than most of his counterparts. It took some time for sure, but Austin Riley has finally established himself as the type of player we were all expected him to become for the Braves when he was a top prospect. Baseball Glove Length Guide: The Right-Sized Glove for Infielders (2022) Kyle O'Connor. Being a numbers guy though I wanted to know for sure. Most second basemen use an 11 to an 11.5-inch mitt, while shortstops will usually use an 11.5 to an 11.75-inch mitt. He had a .907 OPS with 17 home runs in 67 games after the All-Star break to help the Padres chase down a playoff spot. He routinely annihilated baseballs last year and trailed only Aaron Judge in extra-base hits and total bases. On offense, he had the shortest swing, the fastest hands and was one of the best baserunners in baseball history. But after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2007, hes proven everyone wrong amassing an MVP title and 7 All-Star Game appearances. A journeyman utility player with 1.4 WAR in 628 career games over eight years entering the 2021 campaign, Peterson had a 2.3-WAR season on the strength of his speed (12 SB) and elite defense (615.0 INN, 11 DRS, 4.7 UZR/150) at the hot corner. Shortstop. His 24 DRS led baseball during the 2022 season, and he has a ton of untapped offensive potential. An excellent hitter who knows how to get on base, a solid defender and a clubhouse leader, Pedroia is a good bet to reach the Hall of Fame whenever he decides to call it a career. Eugenio Suarez - Seattle Mariners. Infield velocity: 85 MPH - 95 MPH The 25-year-old hit a modest .244/.314/.345 for an 87 OPS+ in 136 games, but he racked up 4.3 WAR thanks to his stellar glove work at the hot corner. According to His SABR biography, Moonlight Graham, came in to play the two the last two innings of and 11-1 game in 1905 and was on deck with when the Brooklyn Superbas recorded the f. Your email address will not be published. Before making the full-time move to first base in 2015, Ryan Zimmerman was one of the best third basemen in baseball. We suggest quickly reading about those stats at the links attached, and as always, please feel free to reach out onTwitterwith any questions. Due to his height, scouts thought he lied about his age, and Altuve was laughed off the field in his first big league try-out. Some of them are quick and crafty base stealers. David Eckstein 56 A pocket that'll still be able to turn two in a jiffy. The 23-year-old spent the first month of the season in the minors but wound up tying for Tampa Bay's team lead with 20 home runs in 381 plate appearances while playing all over the infield in a 2.3-WAR season. But those players are long gone, so there is no way to know for sure. A world-class hitter and an exceptional base stealer, Sliding Billy could really do it all. Most projection systems, which are conservative by nature, have him putting up 20 homers and double-digit steals this year. But will he ever start pulling the ball with regularity? He had a top-five OBP. Ranked 12th as one of the best third basemen right now, Maxwell Steven Muncy is a force to be reckoned with. But who are the shortest MLB players in history? If Matt Chapman can return to hitting at a .250 clip with 36 bombs and a .848 OPS like he had in 2019, on top of being the best defender on Earth, No. He won an unrivaled 13 Gold Glove awards over the course of his career. 2021 Stats: 151 G, .278/.361/.471, .832 OPS, 127 wRC+, 27 HR, 87 RBI, 3 SB, 10% BB, 16% K, 4.0 fWAR, -2 DRS, 0 OAA. 56 is remarkably short for a MLB pitcher, and it makes Shantz one of the shortest pitchers of all time. Colorado Rockies hitters, as a whole, have 5.0. There were 42 of them. After a slow first half, Turner rebounded to hit .319/.386/.503 in 184 plate appearances after the All-Star break.