As we inch closer to the 2025 season, I am going to give top three prospects at each position. This will be based on where they currently play and also where they may end up. This will culminate with my newly updated top 30 prospects before the season starts. This week, we are moving on to the third base position.
Previous Top Three:
1. Cam Smith
Originally a first round pick of the Cubs (#14 overall) in 2024, Smith was acquired in the deal that sent Kyle Tucker to Chicago. Smith was a standout at Florida State showing off an advanced approach that led to him hitting .387 with 16 homers his junior year after a monster Cape Cod league where he hit .347 with a .981 OPS in 44 games. Following the draft, Smith played in 32 games and hit .313 with 7 home runs and 24 runs batted in, making his way up to Double-A. Smith is a good athlete that generates high exit velocities and shows off good bat speed. He has well above-average power and could profile for 30+ homers at the highest level. Smith has a strong arm and if he outgrows third base, he could move to a corner outfield spot.
2. Brice Matthews
Matthews was seen as one of the best athletes in the Big 1o going into the 2023 draft. The 21-year-old had a breakout junior season slashing .359/.481/.723 with 20 HR, 20 SB for Nebraska. He has a quick swing with strong exit velocities, even for his size. Scouts note he has 20-25 HR potential with good pull power. He covers a lot of ground at shortstop and has the toolset to move to the hot corner if the Astros deem him a fit there. He has some swing and miss in his game but the other positives make up for it. Matthews was able to show off his upside in 2024 hitting 15 home runs and stealing 32 bases as he made it up to Triple-A.
3. Zach Dezenzo
Dezenzo was drafted in the 12th round of the 2022 draft and is looking like an absolute steal. He was a senior who put up a strong year at Ohio State slugging .701 with 19 HR in 51 games before dominating the MLB Draft League. The right-hander has plus power and really strong exit velocities numbers. He is a bat-first prospect who bas played both third base and first base, but has the bat profile to fit at either. Dezenzo played 19 major league games this year with 14 of them coming at first base. In the minors in 2024, Dezenzo hit .300 with a .877 OPS making his way up to Triple-A. Read more on Dezenzo here.
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