HOT CORNER
Third base has been a real problem for the Red Sox, but it’s a position of strength most everywhere else in baseball. According to FanGraphs, five of the game’s top 21 positional players — as measured by WAR through Wednesday’s games — are third basemen. First base is the only other position with as many as four in the top 21.
Surprisingly, the usual suspects at the hot corner — Kris Bryant, Manny Machado and Josh Donaldson — are not among that group.
Here are the game’s top third basemen a quarter of the way through the season:
1. Miguel Sano Twins
• WAR: 2.3
• Skinny: After hitting 25 home runs and splitting time between third and right field last year, Sano has moved to third full-time while leading Minnesota to a surprisingly strong start.
2. JuSTin TuRneR Dodgers
• WAR: 2.1
• Skinny: Given a four-year deal in the offseason, Turner is living up to his part of the bargain so far with a batting average over .350 and an on-base percentage approaching .450.
3. JeDD gyoRko Cardinals
• WAR: 1.5
• Skinny: The fifth infielder on Opening Day has become the Cardinals' cleanup hitter in place of Jhonny Peralta, who was hurt after hitting just .120 in his first eight games. Not that this is overly surprising. Gyorko led St. Louis in home runs last year.
4. nolan aRenaDo Rockies
• WAR: 1.5
• Skinny: Playing his usual blend of elite defense and high-powered offense, Arenado and center fielder Charlie Blackmon are leading the way offensively for the unexpected leaders of the National League West.
5. eugenio SuaReZ Reds
• WAR: 1.5
• Skinny: If there's a completely unfamiliar name on this list, it's surely Suarez, who moved from shortstop to third base last season, and this year has improved his OPS by nearly 150 points as the Reds' regular No. 5 hitter.