The situation regarding the New York Yankees' third base position can be described as one of the most glaring weaknesses the team has faced in recent years. Since Gio Urshela left after the 2021 season, the Yankees have struggled to find a reliable player for this crucial spot. They initially attempted to fill the gap by trading for Josh Donaldson and later relied on DJ LeMahieu, whose performance steadily declined until he was ultimately released from the team last July.
The decision to part ways with LeMahieu underscored the urgent need for a new solution at third base, prompting the Yankees to make a significant move at the trade deadline. They acquired Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, giving up pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz in the process. McMahon is known primarily for his defensive skills, though he is not an exceptional hitter and tends to strike out frequently. During his time with the Yankees, he played 54 games and is expected to secure the starting third base role in 2026.
Additionally, the Yankees picked up Amed Rosario during the same trade deadline and have since re-signed him for this offseason. Rosario is likely to serve in a versatile role, rotating between second base, third base, and the outfield depending on matchups. Given that the Yankees' lineup is predominantly left-handed, Rosario will be particularly useful against left-handed pitchers. However, when it comes to choosing between starting McMahon or Jazz Chisholm Jr. against such pitchers, the Yankees may lean toward Chisholm, which could result in Rosario spending most of his time at third base in 2026.
The acquisitions of McMahon and Rosario were part of a broader roster overhaul for the Yankees during the 2025 trade deadline, which significantly impacted their minor league system, especially at third base. The depth of promising young talent for this position has weakened considerably since many top prospects were traded away. For instance, Jesus Rodriguez had emerged as an exciting option in Triple-A, while Parks Harber performed exceptionally well in Low-A and High-A, but both were traded to the San Francisco Giants in the Camilo Doval deal. Dylan Jasso was another key player who filled the primary third base role for Double-A Somerset, but he was also traded recently to Miami as part of the Ryan Weathers deal.
These trades have left numerous unanswered questions about the future of third base within the organization. Jorbit Vivas, who was mentioned in our preview for second base, played 33 games at third base in Triple-A last season. With Jeimer Candelario no longer on the roster, Vivas may step into the role of primary third baseman for the RailRiders. Furthermore, the recently added veterans Braden Shewmake, Paul DeJong, and Zack Short—who we discussed in the context of shortstops—could also provide solid options at third base, allowing Vivas to remain focused on second base.
With Jasso's departure, the third base position at Somerset is now wide open. Tyler Hardman, who primarily played first base last season, only had three appearances at third but has experience at the position. If the team decides to promote Coby Morales to take over first base duties, Hardman might be moved to third base. Meanwhile, Josh Moylan, who led High-A Hudson Valley in third base appearances and has played there for the past two seasons, could be poised for a promotion to Somerset. Moylan has demonstrated solid offensive capabilities over the last two years, showing walk rates between 13-15% and strikeout rates of 25-30%. Another name to consider is Juan Matheus, who contributed at third base in Low-A and High-A, but like others, he was included in the package sent to Miami for Weathers.
Other potential candidates for third base starts at various levels include Owen Cobb, Enmanuel Tejeda, Kaeden Kent, and Roderick Arias, all of whom were featured in our previews for shortstop and second base. Given the scarcity of established third basemen within the organization, these players might seize the opportunity to claim more playing time if they adapt well to the position.
Interestingly, FanGraphs’ Roster Resource tool currently identifies only three minor leaguers as primary third basemen, none of whom are ranked higher than Low-A. The first is Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, a 20th-round pick from last year’s MLB Draft out of USC. Unfortunately, his performance in college was not stellar, and he struggled in his first 24 games with Low-A Tampa.
It is somewhat ironic that the most promising third base prospect within the Yankees' system might actually be the lowest-ranked. Richard Matic spent his 17-year-old season repeating the Dominican Summer League in 2025, but his results were dramatically improved compared to his debut year. After posting a .196 batting average with a 71 wRC+ at age 16, Matic excelled in 46 games last season, achieving a remarkable .336/.487/.566 slash line, five home runs, and an impressive 20.9/22.5 BB/K% ratio, along with a 167 wRC+. He possesses a powerful right-handed bat and stands at 6 feet tall, weighing 200 pounds. If he can transition effectively to play in the Complex league and face tougher competition in the states, he could become one of the Yankees' standout sluggers. However, many players from the Dominican Summer League struggle when facing heightened competition, making Matic's success a noteworthy point of interest. The last player listed by Roster Resource is Leni Done, who joined the organization as an international free agent last season and also hit five home runs in the DSL.
As we head into 2026, the third base position presents a chaotic landscape within the Yankees organization due to extensive roster changes. While it may be unlikely that any of these emerging players will make a significant impact at the major league level in the near future, it will be fascinating to follow who steps up to fill the gaps left by those who have been traded away.
