A comprehensive ranking of every National League infield.
Noah Spirek | @NoahSpirek | August 4, 2023
This week, the Rockies made a series of moves that are geared towards setting their future up for success. With C.J. Cron now in Anaheim, the Rockies have an infield consisting of four young, talented defenders, all of whom could win a Gold Glove in their careers, including one that already has in Brendan Rodgers. Where does Colorado’s infield stack up with the rest of the NL? Let’s dive in.
*Reminder, this list is based 2024 and beyond.*
1. Atlanta Braves
1B Matt Olson, 2B Ozzie Albies, 3B Austin Riley, SS Orlando Arcia
The Braves have the best record in baseball (69-37) and have scored the second most runs in MLB, trailing only the Texas Rangers. Matt Olson leads the NL in both home runs and RBI, with Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley also joining him in the top ten home run leaders in the National League. This infield is easily the most potent offensive infield in the NL, and they are all 12th or better in MLB at their positions for defensive runs saved.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
1B Freddie Freeman, 2B Mookie Betts, 3B Max Muncy, SS Miguel Rojas
The Dodgers are led by two perennial superstars and former MVPs, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. Max Muncy, despite hitting under .200, has an OBP of .327 and ranks seventh in the NL with 70 RBI, tied with Mookie and Juan Soto. Despite not being the hitter that his infield mates are, Miguel Rojas carries the club defensively with a team-leading 9 DRS.
3. San Diego Padres
1B Jake Cronenworth, 2B Ha-Seong Kim, 3B Manny Machado, SS Xander Bogaerts
A star-studded infield led by Machado and Bogaerts will be a force for years to come. Ha-Seong Kim is sixth in MLB with 14 DRS, and Cronenworth adds solid contributions both in the field and at the plate. The duo of Machado and Bogaerts is as good of a left-side infield in all of baseball in terms of hitting, and we all know how talented Machado is on the defensive side.
4. St. Louis Cardinals
1B Paul Goldschmidt, 2B Nolan Gorman, 3B Nolan Arenado, SS Tommy Edman
In a perplexing 2023 campaign that has left the team searching for answers, I think the future is bright with this infield. Defending NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt has taken a step back in 2023, but he is still ever-dangerous at the plate. Nolan Arenado, shockingly, has -4 DRS in 2023, so after 10 consecutive years of winning the NL Gold Glove Award at 3B, that streak will end this year. Despite the struggling team defense, Nolan Gorman and Tommy Edman are both very talented hitters, and as a group this is a very stellar offensive infield.
5. Philadelphia Phillies
1B Bryce Harper, 2B Bryson Stott, 3B Alec Bohm, SS Trea Turner
Fresh off a World Series appearance in 2022, the ‘23 season has been rather underwhelming, but this team should be set up for the future. Superstar Bryce Harper has been converted to a first baseman in the interest of prolonging his career, and fellow star Trea Turner has had a very disappointing season, but still is a 5-tool player. Stott is fifth in MLB in DRS at second base, and while Bohm is far from a good defender, he has a steady bat which is enough to push this group over the rest of the teams on this list.
6. Colorado Rockies
1B Michael Toglia, 2B Brendan Rodgers, 3B Ryan McMahon, SS Ezequiel Tovar
Michael Toglia has taken over at first base, and he is someone that has always been known for his defense. At 6’5’’, he can cover a lot of ground and is exceptionally agile for someone with that stature. Brendan Rodgers is back from his shoulder injury, and after winning his first Gold Glove award in 2022, he looks to use the remaining 50-ish games to find some rhythm before what should be a bright 2024 season for him. Ryan McMahon has carried the Rockies offense for much of the year, and he should be among the finalists for the NL 3B Gold Glove award, as he currently leads ALL players in DRS with 17. Ezequiel Tovar is blossoming into the star the Rockies hoped he could be, and he will also likely be a Gold Glove finalist this year, as he is currently third amongst MLB shortstops with 10 DRS.
7. New York Mets
1B Pete Alonso, 2B Jeff McNeil, 3B Brett Baty, SS Francisco Lindor
Despite being the popular pick for biggest disappointment across baseball, I still feel that the Mets have a solid infield for the future. Pete Alonso continues to be a powerful slugger in the lineup, and this year he is up to third across all MLB first basemen in DRS. McNeil has slowed down in ‘23, but Lindor has looked solid for the Metropolitans.
8. Chicago Cubs
1B Jeimer Candelario, 2B Christopher Morel, 3B Nick Madrigal, SS Dansby Swanson
The Cubs have been a nice surprise story this year, and after acquiring Jeimer Candelario at the trade deadline, they carry a very strong infield. I believe we have still yet to see the best from Morel, and Dansby Swanson has been a great addition for the Cubbies, as he’s been stellar offensively and is among shortstops, Swanson is second in DRS with 12.
9. Cincinnati Reds
1B Spencer Steer, 2B Jonathan India, 3B Elly De La Cruz, SS Matt McLain
This is a young Reds infield, but based on the 2023 output, this team could be a contender for the foreseeable future. Spencer Steer has quietly been one of the Reds’ best players, and while Elly De La Cruz has been getting most of the media coverage, Matt McLain should end up being a finalist for NL ROTY. Add in another former rookie of the year (2021) in Jonathan India, the Reds have a bright future ahead.
10. Arizona Diamondbacks
1B Christian Walker, 2B Ketel Marte, 3B Emmanuel Rivera, SS Geraldo Perdomo
This was a tough infield to rank, but all things considered, I think 10th is a fair spot. Walker and Marte carry the load for the D-Backs offensively, and Emmanuel Rivera is an above average defender. Arizona has far-exceeded their preseason expectations, mainly in-part to their upstart outfield. However, their infield has been solid, too.
11. Pittsburgh Pirates
1B Connor Joe, 2B Ji Hwan Bae, 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes, SS Oneil Cruz
This ranking could change once Oneil Cruz comes back from his injury next season, but for right now I believe Pittsburgh has room to grow in their infield. I do not think Connor Joe will be the long-term answer for them at first base, but Ji Hwan Bae has been solid for the Pirates and Hayes and Cruz should be franchise cornerstones moving forward.
12. Milwaukee Brewers
1B Carlos Santana, 2B Brice Turang, 3B Brian Anderson, SS Willy Adames
The Brewers find ways to win games. Their pitching seemingly carries them year after year, and their solid defense definitely helps. Carlos Santana has had a defensive resurgence this year, currently leading all first basemen in DRS with 8. Turang is seventh among second basemen, and Anderson and Adames are both in the upper half of the rankings at their respective positions.
13. San Francisco Giants
1B LaMonte Wade, 2B Casey Schmitt, 3B J.D. Davis, SS Brandon Crawford
Casey Schmitt has been a bright spot for the Giants, but they will likely have some roster decisions to make in the near future. Crawford (36), Davis (30), and Wade (29) are getting older, and this team feels like it might need a re-tooling soon. For now, however, they continue to win games and are just 2.5 games back of the Dodgers in the NL West.
14. Miami Marlins
1B Josh Bell, 2B Luis Arraez, 3B Jake Burger, SS Joey Wendle
This ranking could be way higher, but it depends on the performance of Josh Bell and whoever else can step up on offense for this team. Luis Arraez has the best bat-to-ball skills in the sport, and Josh Bell showed early in his career that he can be a very capable hitter. The Marlins need more consistency out of Bell, and someone else to step up offensively for this unit to be moved higher on the list.
15. Washington Nationals
1B Dominic Smith, 2B Ildemaro Vargas, 3B Jake Alu, SS CJ Abrams
This unit, outside of Vargas, should have time to grow together. Smith (28), Alu (26), and Abrams (22) could build something in Washington, but this franchise needs a spark from a prospect to get the positive momentum flowing back in DC.
Story by Noah Spirek.
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