This article is part of our series on the Top 100 Players in Baseball History. Third baseman Nolan Arenado ranks No. 92 on our list.
In the age of great third basemen, Nolan Arenado runs the risk of being overlooked. That’s because in his prime, his proficiency was so mechanical that it became expected. Yet, for many seasons, Arenado was a blend of defense and offense rarely seen at the position.
“I used to think nobody could match Brooks [Robinson], but Nolan Arenado … I’ve seen him do something one day and I’ll say ‘I’ve never seen that before,’ and the next game, I’m saying it again. He’s in a class all his own,” said longtime coach Rene Lachemann.
The facts bear it out: Arenado has the numbers and the hardware to prove his status among all-time third basemen. Entering the 2025 season, Arenado has 10 Gold Glove Awards, tying him with Mike Schmidt for second-most at third base. That’s appropriate: Schmidt is a huge fan of the fellow National League third sacker.
“In my opinion, Nolan Arenado is heir apparent to the all-time greatest third basemen,” Schmidt said in 2019. “He puts up numbers I never even dreamed of. I don’t think George Brett did, or Chipper Jones did either. His numbers are crazy.”
Schmitty is right. Arenado ranks 12th all-time in WAR7, which rates long peak. By JAWS, a much-preferred method for rating players by many observers, Arenado is 15th all-time. He rates 13th in Prime (WAR in five best consecutive seasons). That’s where the southern California native shines.
From 2015-2019, Arenado slashed .300/.362/.575 and averaged 38 doubles, 41 homers, 104 runs, 124 RBI, 181 hits, and 347 total bases. He copped the Gold Glove every year too. In each of those seasons, Arenado finished in the top ten in National League Most Valuable Player Award voting.
Arenado is in rarified company when it comes to great seasons by players at his postiion.
Most 6-WAR Seasons by a Third Baseman
Whether Arenado has another great season or not, he’s ensconced in an elite group of third baseman:
- Mike Schmidt … 13
- Eddie Mathews … 9
- Wade Boggs … 8
- George Brett … 6
- Ron Santo … 6
- Nolan Arenado … 5
- Chipper Jones … 5
- Adrian Beltré … 5
- Brooks Robinson … 5
- Ken Boyer … 5
Two noted Hall of Famers are not on the above list: Home Run Baker and Scott Rolen. Of the 10 players to post as many as five 6-WAR seasons, only Arenado and Ken Boyer are NOT in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Arenado nearly didn’t get the chance to become a great third baseman. When the Rockies drafted him, some in the organization felt he was too slow and too fat to be an infielder. He was scheduled to be converted to catcher. But in the offseason after he became a professional, Arenado lost 20 pounds and worked himself into candidacy for third base. He batted .308 with a .520 SLG as a 19-year old. He hit .315 with 26 HR when he was 20 years old. He probably should have been in Denver playing in the majors when he was 20, but he had to wait a few years, Arenado became the first rookie to win a Gold Glove at third base in 2013. He won three home run titles in his first six seasons. Twice, he won two-thirds of the triple crown.
Seeing as how Arenado will still be only 34 a week after opening day in 2025, he has several years to add to his numbers. He seems destined for 4,000 total bases, a milestone reached by fewer than 100 players in baseball history. He would be only the second infielder to have 4,000 total bases AND 10+ Gold Gloves. The other is Brooks Robinson.
Any time you draw favorable comparisons to Brooks Robinson, you have achieved something. For Arenado, it means he’s a rare blend of great defender and slugger. Which lands him in our top 100 greatest players of all-time.
