Cincinnati Reds: Is Eugenio Suárez the best third baseman in the division?

3. Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals

It wasn’t too long ago that Matt Carpenter was the most-feared hitter in the St. Louis Cardinals lineup. Last year was Carpenter’s worst year in the big leagues by far. The 34-year-old hit just .226 with only 15 home runs and 46 RBIs. That’s a far cry from the slugger who led the league in hits back in 2013, or even the slugger who walloped 36 homers in 2018.

Carpenter is likely to be replaced in short order by the Cardinals 2016 sixth-round draft choice Tommy Edman. Edman, last year’s rookie, hit .304/.350/.500 with 11 home runs and 36 RBIs. Edman is likely to get four to five starts per week, though some of those will likely come in the outfield.

2. Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

The debate for the top spot at third base among those in the NL Central comes down to Eugenio Suárez and Kris Bryant. Based on last year’s production, Bryant, a former MVP, comes in at No. 2. The 28-year-old slashed .282/.382/.521 with 31 home runs and 77 RBIs.

Bryant played out of position on several occasions last season as well. While Bryant saw some time in the outfield during his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2015 and his MVP season in 2016, Bryant only made 110 starts at third base last season while seeing 44 appearances in the outfield. Bryant’s presence in the outfield allowed David Bote to make 46 starts at third base.

The starting job at third base still belongs to Kris Bryant, but despite a season that saw the three-time All-Star put up 3.7 WAR, he still comes in at No. 2 among third basemen in the National League Central Division. Bryant will no doubt be looking to make 2020 a season in which he recaptures the top spot.