Top 20 high school third basemen entering the 2023 baseball season

High school baseball has begun in several states across the nation.

Earlier this month we featured 20 pitchers and hitters expected to be among the best in the nation in 2023. Then we began taking a position-by-position look at some of the country’s top high school baseball players, starting with standouts behind the plate and first basemen.

Now it's time to turn our attention to the hot corner. Here are 20 third basemen to watch entering the 2023 high school baseball season.

Note: Many high school baseball players excel at multiple positions. Don't be alarmed to see an ace pitcher listed here as a third baseman, for example.

Henry Allen, jr., Auburn (Alabama)

One of the nation's top 25 prospects in the class of 2024, according to Perfect Game, Allen is tough to beat at the plate. The Mississippi State commit batted .365 with 42 hits, 12 doubles and six home runs as a sophomore.

Eric Bitonti, sr., Aquinas (California)

A member of the loaded SBLive California 2023 preseason all-state team, Bitonti totaled 50 hits with eight home runs, 17 doubles, three triples and a .526 batting average as a junior. The Oregon signee is the nation’s No. 2 third baseman in the class of 2023, according to Prep Baseball Report.

Garet Boehm, sr., Hutto (Texas)

The top third baseman in the state of Texas for the class of 2023, according to Perfect Game, Boehm boasts some light tower power. The Texas Tech signee is also a scary sight for opposing batters when he’s on the mound, as he can bring it in the upper 90s.

Casey Borba, sr., Orange Lutheran (California)

Borba was voted the best third baseman in the CIF Southern Section last year as a junior after putting up some MVP-worthy numbers. The Texas signee posted a team-high 29 RBIs, 30 hits and six homers (including a grand slam) and leads the way for a talented Orange Lutheran squad that opens the 2023 season ranked No. 20 nationally.

Blake Bowen, sr., Wooster (Ohio)

Bowen entered the 2022 season as one of the state’s top third basemen, and he certainly lived up to the hype. The Kentucky signee earned SBLive Ohio all-state honors after recording a .581 batting average with seven dingers and 48 RBIs.

Trent Caraway, sr., JSerra (California)

Caraway tallied 23 hits in just 20 games last year after sitting out part of the season due to transfer rules. The Oregon State signee played third base for Jserra as a junior but could end up sliding over to shortstop in college.

Logan Chapman, sr., Montverde Academy (Florida)

Not to be confused with MLB Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman (and there appears to be no relation between the two), this Chapman has established himself as one of the best third basemen in high school baseball in 2023. The Georgia Tech commit made the in-state transfer from Apopka to Montverde Academy for his senior year, bringing an elite bat and glove to a school known for its nationally-ranked basketball teams.

Grant Hollister, jr., Blue Springs South (Missouri)

The No. 2 junior in Missouri, according to Perfect Game, Hollister played a key role as a sophomore in Blue Springs South reaching the Class 6 finals. The Michigan commit made the SBLive Missouri all-state team for the second year in a row in 2022 after putting up a .357 batting average with 37 hits, 10 doubles and 23 RBIs.

Kaden Irving, sr., Gautier (Mississippi)

In addition to earning SBLive Mississippi all-state honors as a junior in 2022, Irving made the all-state football team as a quarterback. The 6-foot-2 athletic standout will be focusing on baseball as he enrolls at Ole Miss, but maybe Lane Kiffin will come calling one day.

Jett Johnston, sr., Farragut (Tennessee)

Despite the speed-centric name, Johnston is known more for his power. The Texas A&M signee finished his junior season with eight home runs, 30 RBIs and a .325 batting average, as Farragut took home the 4A state title.

Levi Jones, sr., Jesuit (Oregon)

A 6-foot-1 slugger with speed, Jones isn’t your typical third baseman. The Oregon State signee stole 10 bags for Jesuit as a junior and batted .400 with seven homers, nine doubles and 33 RBIs.

Boots Landry, sr., Friendswood (Texas)

Landry earned SBLive All-East Texas honors in 2022 after tallying 41 hits, six home runs and 45 RBIs with a .350 batting average. The 6-foot-3 hitting machine will be staying in-state to play college baseball for Texas A&M.

Trenton Lape, sr., Parkway (Louisiana)

Lape could only hit last season due to injury, and he made the most of his time at the plate. The 6-foot-1 LSU signee finished with six homers, six doubles, six triples and a .346 batting average as a junior, and this season he’ll be able to return to his role as a third baseman and pitcher for Parkway.

Xavier Neyens, soph., Mount Vernon (Washington)

Only a sophomore, Neyens is one of the youngest players on this list but is quickly becoming a name to watch thanks to his prowess at the plate and ability to play multiple positions. The 6-foot-4 Oregon State commit is the top-ranked sophomore in Washington and No. 10 player overall in the country for the class of 2025, according to Perfect Game.

Kade Smith, sr., Harding Academy (Arkansas)

The state’s No. 1 third baseman in the class of 2023, according to Perfect Game, Smith is staying home as part of the University of Arkansas’ top-ranked recruiting class in the country. He’s shown that he’s not afraid of the big moment either, having played key roles in Harding Academy winning back-to-back state titles.

Landon Stripling, sr., Parkview (Georgia)

After hitting .433 with six home runs and five doubles last season, Stripling returns as one of the leading pieces for the preseason No. 3 team in the country. The 6-foot-tall utility man will have several routes to finding the field at Texas Tech, as he’s shown the ability to excel at third base, second base, first base, outfield and even on the mound.

Josh Tiedemann, sr., Hamilton (Arizona)

Tiedemann and fellow TCU signee Zach Wadas hold down the corner infield spots for the preseason No. 7 team in the country. The top third baseman in Arizona, according to Perfect Game, Tiedemann knocked eight home runs with a .371 batting average as a junior.

Anthony Tralongo, jr., American Heritage (Florida)

Tralongo was one of Florida’s top third basemen last year as a sophomore, getting on base at a .431 percentage and hitting two homers. The Auburn commit has been one of the nation’s top prospects for years, as he was named Perfect Game’s 13 and under Player of the Year in 2019.

Colby Turner, sr., Huntington Beach (California)

Along with elite first baseman Ralphy Velazquez and shortstop Dean Carpentier, Turner helps form one of the nation’s best infields. The San Diego State-bound slugger possesses some serious power from the right side of the plate.

George Wolkow, sr., Downers Grove North (Illinois)

Despite being one of the youngest third basemen in his class, Wolkow might be one  of the biggest. The 6-foot-7 South Carolina signee will be graduating high school one year early to speed up his timeline of playing at the next level.