Spring Training 2025: Ranking the Top Ten Infielders by Position

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts (50) and Freddie Freeman (5) celebrate after scoring against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning in Game 5 of the baseball World Series in New York on Oct. 30, 2024. Seth Wenig/AP Photo

With the Super Bowl in the books, baseball season is about to be upon us! That means it’s time for pitchers and catchers to report to their respective camp sites in Florida and Arizona. The Chicago Cubs were the first team to have players start reporting in Mesa, Arizona, on Sunday, meaning we can all look forward to the hope of a new season.

As we get ready for the 2025 season, we’re going to rank the top ten players at each position around the diamond (and designated hitters) and then look at the top pitchers in the game. Today, we’re starting with a lap around the infield.

Top 10 First Basemen

10. Paul Goldschmidt, New York Yankees 9. Nathaniel Lowe, Washington Nationals 8. Pete Alonso, New York Mets 7. Yandy Díaz, Tampa Bay Rays 6. Michael Busch, Chicago Cubs 5. Christian Walker, Houston Astros 4. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Toronto Blue Jays 3. Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves 2. Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies 1. Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers

We didn’t know where Alonso was going to play until just this past week, but he got his wish and is back with the Mets in a great situation to win some games with the addition of Juan Soto to an already potent lineup. We’ve got two new faces in new places in our top ten, with Goldschmidt leaving St. Louis for the pinstripes in New York and Walker departing the desert for Houston.

Top 10 Second Basemen

10. Brendan Donovan, St. Louis Cardinals 9. Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers 8. Tyler Fitzgerald, San Francisco Giants 7. Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays 6. Jazz Chisholm, Jr., New York Yankees 5. Andres Gimenez, Toronto Blue Jays 4. Jose Altuve, Houston Astros 3. Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs 2. Marcus Semien, Texas Rangers 1. Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks

Marte has really taken a step away from the rest of the pack at second base in recent seasons and is clearly the best at the position, but there are some quality players behind him on our list. It will be interesting to see how Altuve performs in a very different Astros lineup this season. Chisholm moving back to second base with Torres moving on to Detroit makes both of those players worth watching early in the year as well.

Top 10 Shortstops

10. Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins 9. Willy Adames, San Francisco Giants 8. Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs 7. Corey Seager, Texas Rangers 6. Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds 5. Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies 4. Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers 3. Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles 2. Bobby Witt, Jr., Kansas City Royals 1. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets

This is easily the best position in the game right now. It’s ridiculous that Betts would be the fourth-best player on any list of anything baseball-related, but here we are. Lindor had a legitimate MVP-caliber season for the Mets last year (unfortunately for him, Shohei Ohtani did something we had never seen before). Witt is also a viable MVP candidate this coming season. Shortstop is absolutely stacked with studs.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani gets caught stealing by New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor during the second inning in Game 1 of a baseball NL Championship Series in Los Angeles on Oct. 13, 2024. Ashley Landis/AP Photo

Top 10 Third Basemen

10. Alex Bregman, FA 9. Nolan Arenado, St. Louis Cardinals 8. Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers 7. Isaac Paredes, Houston Astros 6. Eugenio Suarez, Arizona Diamondbacks 5. Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants 4. Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox 3. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres 2. Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves 1. Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

We’re still waiting to find out where Bregman will play this season (and if he’s even still a third baseman?), but he’s still on our list. There are also strong hints that Arenado’s time in St. Louis might come to an end before the regular season begins. The top half of this top ten is as good as any position in the game. Keep an eye on Paredes potentially replacing Bregman in Houston; the short porch in left suits him perfectly.

Top 10 Catchers

10. Yainer Diaz, Houston Astros 9. Alejandro Kirk, Toronto Blue Jays 8. Austin Wells, New York Yankees 7. Gabriel Moreno, Arizona Diamondbacks 6. Sean Murphy, Atlanta Braves 5. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners 4. J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies 3. William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers 2. Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers 1. Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles

Note: Willson Contreras (St. Louis Cardinals) is moving to first base this season, so he is no longer ranked as a catcher.

The top four at this position are pretty interchangeable and will stir a lot of debate on the order; they’re all tremendous players. Backstops batting in the middle of those potent lineups is impressive.