There is no shortage of star power at the third-base position, with rising stars like Austin Riley and Rafael Devers joining longtime standouts Manny Machado, Nolan Arenado and Jose Ramirez as the cream of the crop at the hot corner.
That said, some teams are better set up for current and future success at the position than others.
Ahead we've broken down each team's present and future outlook at third base, highlighting their current starter and their top prospect, followed by a prediction of who will start for each of the next five seasons.
Think of it as the team's five-year plan at the position.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Present: Josh Rojas (Age: 27)
Veterans Eduardo Escobar and Asdrubal Cabrera handled the bulk of the action at third base for the D-backs last season, but both are no longer with the team. Josh Rojas was quietly productive in a super-utility role, and he could settle in at third base in 2022, though slugger Drew Ellis could also play his way into a bigger role.
Top Prospect: A.J. Vukovich (Tier 3)
A fourth-round pick in 2020, Vukovich hit .272/.320/.446 with 19 doubles, 13 home runs and 62 RBI in 92 games between Single-A and High-A in his pro debut. The 20-year-old is just scratching the surface of the power potential in his 6'5", 210-pound frame, and he has the glove to stick on the infield long-term.
Five-Year Prediction: Rojas (2022-23), Vukovich (2024-26)
Atlanta Braves
Present: Austin Riley (Age: 24)
Riley hit .303/.367/.531 with 33 doubles, 33 home runs, 107 RBI and 6.1 WAR as one of the biggest breakout stars of the 2021 season. With club control through the 2025 season, third base is occupied in Atlanta for the foreseeable future, and an extension is not out of the question after the front office locked up Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies early on.
Top Prospect: Vaughn Grissom (Tier 3)
Currently a shortstop, Grissom could eventually outgrow the position as his 6'3", 180-pound frame fills out. He has enough offensive upside and power potential to believe he could fit at the hot corner, though the presence of Riley could mean he'll occupy more of a utility role.
Five-Year Prediction: Riley (2022-26)
Baltimore Orioles
Present: Kelvin Gutierrez (Age: 27)
Gutierrez saw his first extended MLB action last season, hitting .232/.292/.316 for a 65 OPS+ with three home runs and 20 RBI in 295 plate appearances with two teams. The O's acquired him from the Kansas City Royals in July, and as a glove-first third baseman, he fits best in a backup role on a contending team. A veteran like Travis Shaw or Asdrubal Cabrera would be a good low-cost target in free agency.
Top Prospect: Jordan Westburg (Tier 2)
The future left side of the Orioles infield could end up being Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg, who are both currently playing shortstop in the minors. Westburg is a better fit at the hot corner, and after posting an .868 OPS with 27 doubles, 15 home runs and 79 RBI in 112 games over three minor league levels, the upside is there for him to be a fit at a premium offensive position.
Five-Year Prediction: Free Agent (2022-23), Westburg (2024-26)
Boston Red Sox
Present: Rafael Devers (Age: 25)
One of the most productive young hitters in baseball, Devers batted .279/.352/.538 with 37 doubles, 38 home runs and 113 RBI to earn his first All-Star selection, win Silver Slugger honors and finish 11th in AL MVP voting. Given his defensive shortcomings (-13 DRS, -5.8 UZR/150), it's only a matter of time before he moves off the hot corner.
Top Prospect: Blaze Jordan (Tier 3)
In our shortstop article, we predicted that once top prospect Marcelo Mayer is ready for the majors, the team could shift Xander Bogaerts to third base and move Rafael Devers across the diamond to first base or into the starting designated hitter role. The continued progression of Jordan could throw a wrench in those plans, but it's also possible he'll profile best in the first base/DH role himself.
Five-Year Prediction: Devers (2022-24), Bogaerts (2025-26)
Chicago Cubs
Present: Patrick Wisdom (Age: 30)
Wisdom came out of nowhere to post a 117 OPS+ with 28 home runs and 61 RBI in 106 games, replacing Kris Bryant at third base and finishing fourth in NL Rookie of the Year balloting. His gaudy home run total masked a staggering 40.8 percent strikeout rate, but the retooling Cubs will give him every opportunity to duplicate his 2021 success.
Top Prospect: Reginald Preciado (Tier 3)
Part of the prospect haul acquired from the San Diego Padres in the Yu Darvish trade, Preciado hit .333/.383/.511 with 16 extra-base hits and 25 RBI in 34 games in the Arizona Complex League in his pro debut. The 18-year-old split his time between shortstop and third base in 2021, but with his 6'4" frame, there's a good chance he'll outgrow an up-the-middle spot.
Five-Year Prediction: Wisdom (2022-24), Preciado (2025-26)