The Yankees’ Third Base Situation: An Overview
For the New York Yankees, few issues have been as glaring over recent years as the struggles at third base. Since Gio Urshela's exit after the 2021 season, the team has made several attempts to fill this crucial position with experienced players. They initially traded for Josh Donaldson and then turned to DJ LeMahieu, who, unfortunately, experienced a significant decline in performance and was ultimately removed from the roster last July.
The decision to part ways with LeMahieu highlighted the urgent need for the Yankees to address third base before the trade deadline. In response, they successfully acquired Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, parting with pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz in the process. McMahon is known for his defensive skills but has struggled as a hitter, often striking out more than desired. In his 54 games with the Yankees, he showcased those traits, and he is expected to take on the starting role at third base in 2026.
Another player added during the trade deadline, Amed Rosario, has signed again this offseason and is likely to play a versatile role, shifting between second base, third base, and the outfield depending on matchups. Given the Yankees' predominantly left-handed lineup, Rosario could be a valuable asset whenever the team faces a left-handed pitcher. However, if given a choice to start either McMahon or Jazz Chisholm Jr. against such pitchers, it's probable that Chisholm would get the nod, potentially limiting Rosario’s appearances to primarily third base in 2026.
The arrivals of McMahon and Rosario were part of a broader strategy that transformed the Yankees’ roster at the 2025 trade deadline. This overhaul came at a cost, significantly depleting their minor-league talent pool, particularly at third base. Let’s delve into how the organization currently stands on this front:
The depth of talent at third base in the minor leagues appears weaker than usual, especially since several top prospects have been traded away. Jesus Rodriguez had recently emerged as a promising candidate in Triple-A, and Parks Harber made waves in Low-A and High-A last year, but both were traded to the San Francisco Giants as part of the Camilo Doval deal. Dylan Jasso, who held the primary third base role for Double-A Somerset for much of the past season, was also traded to Miami in the Ryan Weathers transaction just weeks ago.
These trades raise numerous questions about who will fill the third base position across the organization. Jorbit Vivas, mentioned previously in our overview of second base, played 33 games at third in Triple-A last season. With Jeimer Candelario no longer with the team, Vivas might become the RailRiders’ leading option at third base. Additionally, the recently acquired veterans Braden Shewmake, Paul DeJong, and Zack Short—who we discussed in our shortstop preview—could serve as replacements for Candelario, freeing Vivas to stay at second.
With Jasso's departure, third base at Somerset is left vacant. Last season, Tyler Hardman mainly played first base and only appeared at third in three games; however, he has experience playing at third and could transition back to that role if the team decides to promote Coby Morales to first base. At High-A Hudson Valley, Josh Moylan led in appearances at third base and has spent the last two seasons at that level. He has performed slightly above average offensively in both 2024 and 2025, maintaining walk rates of 13-15% while striking out 25-30% of the time. Juan Matheus also contributed at third in Low-A and High-A last year but was included in the trade package sent to Miami for Weathers.
Other potential candidates for third base this year at various levels may include Owen Cobb, Enmanuel Tejeda, Kaeden Kent, and Roderick Arias, who were discussed in our season previews for shortstop and second base. Due to the scarcity of established third basemen in the organization, these players may find themselves with unexpected opportunities if they can successfully adapt to the demands of the position.
Interestingly, FanGraphs’ Roster Resource tool currently identifies only three minor leaguers as primary third basemen, none of whom are positioned higher than Low-A. The first of these is Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, selected by the team in the 20th round of last year's MLB Draft from USC. Unfortunately, Martin-Grudzielanek struggled with his batting average during his last two collegiate seasons and had a disappointing start to his career with Low-A Tampa, hitting poorly in his first 24 games.
Ironically, the Yankees’ most promising prospect at third base could be the one situated at the lowest level of their system. Richard Matic had a rough start in the Dominican Summer League at age 16, hitting just .196 with a 71 wRC+. However, during his age-17 season, he excelled in 46 games, achieving an impressive .336/.487/.566 slash line, five home runs, and a remarkable 20.9/22.5 BB/K% ratio for a 167 wRC+. Matic possesses a right-handed power swing and a solid 6-foot, 200-pound build that suggests he could develop into one of the system's most exciting sluggers if he can transition effectively to the Complex league and compete against tougher opponents stateside. Of course, it's worth noting that many players from the DSL struggle when facing stiffer competition, but those who succeed can truly shine. The final third baseman listed by Roster Resource is Leni Done, who joined the organization as an international free agent last year and also hit five home runs in the DSL.
Entering 2026, the situation at third base is in a state of flux, making it one of the most unpredictable positions within the Yankees’ infield due to all the roster changes. Yet, some players might be able to seize new opportunities thanks to this uncertainty. While it’s improbable that any of these individuals will contribute to the big leagues in the near future, it’s certainly worth monitoring to see who steps up to fill the gaps left by recently departed players.
