Riedell Report: 10 MLB Draft-Eligible Third Basemen to watch this weekend

Dean Curley (Tennessee Athletics photo)

By Andrew Riedell

We are wrapping up the infield now with a day off from our coverage, and I have released my first, and probably only, Mock Draft of the draft season on Twitter/Z. I am not a draft expert, unlike some of the other analysts. Big shoutout to Joe Doyle from Over Slot Baseball whose podcast has been such a good listen and helped me in my draft rankings as well.

Third base is such a unique group this year, as in my personal prospect list, I do not have any that will be taken extremely high unless teams value Andrew Fischer at third base. However, I think we still have a very solid group of guys to discuss. NOTE: This is not a ranking. Let’s jump right into it!

1. Dean Curley (Tennessee) Age: 21 Class: Junior

I project Curley to be a third baseman, and I think he is the best college third baseman available to draft. Curley blended pro-ready power with a refined hit tool. His freshman season featured a .285/.386/.502 slash with 12 homers and improved even further in 2025. Scouts praise his bat-to-ball consistency; he ranks among the top in-zone contact rates and shows advanced pitch recognition, and he routinely crushes fastballs with authority.

His exceptional pitch recognition enables him to refrain from swinging at borderline or off-speed pitches early in the count, compelling pitchers to throw strikes where he can inflict maximum damage. When facing fastballs, Curley poses a significant threat; his rapid hands and effective swing path produce solid contact and power to all areas of the field.

He does not merely capitalize on mistakes—he adeptly manages high velocity, skillfully tracking pitches in the high-90s range and responding with authority. This blend of zone discipline, contact proficiency, and inherent power renders Curley a formidable opponent and a hitter anticipated to achieve both a high batting average and considerable extra-base power at the next level.

2. Luke Hill (Ole Miss) Age: 21 Class: Junior

Hill finds himself on the list after a solid year at Ole Miss, and thanks to his advanced plate approach, I view him as the best available college third baseman in this group. Hill is a disciplined hitter with a high contact rate and the capability to work deep counts. He consistently reaches base and utilizes the entire field, demonstrating developing gap power and strong situational awareness.

His quick hands, fluid footwork, and robust arm strength render him dependable across various infield positions, with second base and third base being his most suitable roles. Additionally, he is a proficient baserunner with above-average speed and instincts. Hill’s potential suggests he could be a high-floor, everyday infielder at the professional level, potentially a top-of-the-order second baseman or utility infielder known for offensive consistency, subtle power, and defensive value.

3. Trent Caraway (Oregon State/Portal Age: 21 Class: Junior

Caraway is a physically impressive third baseman who possesses one of the most powerful bats in college baseball today. He consistently drives the ball to various fields, thanks to his quick hands and bat speed developed in the Cape Cod League, where he significantly reduced his strikeout rate.

His bat is undoubtedly his signature; he serves as a middle-of-the-order presence with strong contact and emerging power. However, Caraway's currently in the transfer portal, and that brings significant uncertainties. While he remains draft-eligible as a sophomore, there is a possibility that he may opt to return to school and transfer to a different program, which could cause teams to be cautious or select him in later rounds.

4. Kerrington Cross (Cincinnati) Age: 23 Class: RS Senior

Cross is not going to draw a lot of draft steam, and I am okay with that. But, he was one of the best third baseman in all of college baseball this year, hitting .396 with 12 HR and 50 RBI. And, he was the Big 12 Player of the Year for a reason, as he dominated conference play.

The one reason he will not get a lot of draft buzz is because of his age, but let’s be real. If he were two years younger, he would be a top-three round selection. (Shoutout to Noah Darling for that, and I agree.) His sophisticated approach at the plate, demonstrated by his exceptional on-base statistics and walk-to-strikeout ratio, reflects his developed understanding of the strike zone and his capacity to adapt to advanced pitching. He consistently drives the ball across all fields with gap-to-gap power, and there is reason to believe that with ongoing physical development, he could evolve into a more reliable home run hitter.

Defensively, Cross possesses the necessary actions, arm strength, and athleticism to remain at third base for the long term, and his instincts on both sides of the game enhance his potential as a prospect. His baseball intelligence and leadership qualities are also notable, positioning him as a player around whom a team can be constructed. With his blend of offensive refinement, defensive dependability, and promising physical attributes, Cross has the potential to become a run-producing, everyday third baseman at the major league level.

5. Jake Munroe (Louisville) Age: 21 Class: Junior

Behind a strong first year in Louisville, I believe Munroe has built some nice draft stock after a strong postseason showing helping his squad get to Omaha. Hitting .346 with 13 HR and 61 RBI, Munroe dominated vs the ACC and some really strong opponents in his lone year in Louisville. His strength is rooted in his capacity to achieve both high batting averages and significant power, consistently generating solid contact and performing exceptionally well under pressure, as demonstrated by an impressive NCAA Tournament showing.

Although his defensive reliability at third base is still uncertain—highlighted by a considerable number of errors—his arm strength and offensive potential render him a compelling candidate for Day 2 of the draft. Should he manage to further enhance his fielding skills and footwork, Munroe possesses the necessary attributes to evolve into a dependable everyday third baseman in the professional arena.

6. Brent Iredale (Arkansas) Age: 21 Class: Junior

The 6'3", 200-pound infielder from Sydney has made it onto the list following an impressive year at Arkansas, where he served as their starting third baseman. His unique combination of strength and bat speed enables him to consistently elevate the ball, converting mistakes into extra-base hits and home runs, which has led to comparisons with notable former JUCO transfers such as Gage Miller.

Regarding his projectability, Iredale presents a strong mix of power, athleticism, and baserunning skills. His slightly below-average speed has proven valuable on the basepaths, as demonstrated by his 24 stolen bases during his sophomore year and his timely baserunning decisions in SEC competition.

Defensively, he exhibits average actions and a dependable arm at third base, although his size and athleticism suggest he could potentially transition to a corner outfield position, adding another dimension to his potential. Nevertheless, the transition to facing SEC pitching has revealed some weaknesses in his barrel coverage, characterized by increased whiff rates (27%) and susceptibility to high-velocity pitches and breaking balls, indicating a need for improvement as he encounters consistently high-caliber talent. These early-season challenges, including mid-season downturns, underscore the developmental journey that lies ahead.

7. Murf Gray (Fresno State) Age: 21 Class: Junior

Coming into the season, Gray was considered a Top 100 prospect, but after struggling a little this year, he slid down some draft boards. Gray exhibits a sophisticated approach at the plate, showcasing elite in-zone contact rates and the capability to drive the ball to all areas of the field. He had an impressive junior season at Fresno State, achieving a slash line of .324/.398/.639 with 18 home runs, and demonstrated his skills against high-caliber competition in the Cape Cod League, where he maintained his performance in both batting average and power.

Defensively, Gray possesses a strong arm and the athleticism necessary to stay at third base, earning recognition as a Gold Glove finalist in 2025. His potential is considerable—should he continue to enhance his plate discipline and refine his footwork, he is projected to be a cornerstone player in the middle of the order with everyday potential at the hot corner. Currently, Gray is regarded as a second- to third-round prospect, with the possibility of advancing into late first-round discussions.

8. Ethan Hedges (USC) Age: 21 Class: Junior

Hedges possesses significant potential to become a genuine two-way athlete at the professional level. Offensively, he has demonstrated himself to be a dynamic hitter with a refined approach, above-average bat speed, and emerging power illustrated by his .346 batting average, 14 home runs, and five triples in 2025.

On the pitching side, he is equally compelling, showcasing a mid-90s fastball and strong command from the bullpen, where he achieved nine saves and recorded a 2.40 ERA. What particularly enhances Hedges' projection as a two-way player is his athleticism and energy; he exhibits good movement in the field, navigates the bases wisely, and competes confidently in high-pressure situations.

Although professional teams may initially focus on one aspect of his game, his capacity to influence both offensively and on the mound provides him with the versatility to evolve into a valuable two-way contributor, especially in a time when roster flexibility is increasingly sought after.

9. Anthony Depino (Rhode Island) Age: 22 Class: Senior

DePino's 2025 campaign at Rhode Island was really solid, and it lands him here on the list as he hit .354 with 20 HRs and 61 RBIs as he led URI to both the Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament titles, the Rams’ first trip to the NCAA tournament in nine years. He possesses a refined batting technique characterized by a fluid left-handed swing, exceptional plate discipline, and the appearance of a run producer capable of extending counts and capitalizing on errors.

Defensively, DePino has participated in almost every game at third base, demonstrating reliable hands and arm movements; however, his fielding percentage (~.924) indicates potential for improvement.

10. Gavin Schulz (Tulane) Age: 22 Class: Senior

Schulz shone brightly during his tenure at Tulane, being a local talent who attended Holy Cross, and he was elected captain of the Green Wave on two occasions. As the senior captain for Tulane, he showcased back-to-back successful seasons, most recently achieving a batting line of .310/.425/.469 over 58 games, which included 20 doubles, 6 home runs, and 38 RBI, along with a commendable on-base percentage bolstered by 34 walks.

Demonstrating defensive versatility, he played innings at both third base and the corner outfield. Although he may not possess elite speed, he makes up for it with strong instincts and arm strength. Schulz’s potential is highlighted by his refined bat-to-ball skills and consistency, positioning him as a dependable utility player or a solid depth option, while his baseline suggests he could serve as a valuable bench hitter capable of filling in at various positions.

While he may not be recognized for exceptional raw power, Schulz offers underrated power that becomes evident in games, particularly when he targets fastballs early in counts. His power metrics continue to improve, and his timely extra-base hits indicate potential for further development.

Off the field, Schulz has gained acclaim for his leadership and work ethic, having been appointed team captain and acting as a tone-setter during Tulane’s revival as a competitive program. Schulz is projected to be a high-floor utility player who can positively influence both the clubhouse and lineup with his maturity, consistent performance, and an unexpected ability to alter games with crucial at-bats.

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