Nolan Arenado, Manny Machado reveal their different approaches to playing third base

The San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks met in Mexico City last weekend for another international series for Major League Baseball. The atmosphere was electric, and both games were exciting between two teams with large Hispanic fan bases. The Padres took Game 1, and the Diamondbacks hit a grand slam to come back and win Game 2.

The Mexico City Series showcased two of the best third basemen of the last generation, Manny Machado and Nolan Arenado. Arenado has arguably been the best defensive third baseman in the league since he debuted with the Colorado Rockies. The former Rockie, St. Louis Cardinal, and now D-back has 10 Gold Glove Awards and is an eight-time All-Star.

Machado has his accolades as well, but because he had to battle with Arenado in the National League all these years, he never won an NL Gold Glove. His two came during this time with the Baltimore Orioles. Machado is a 7-time All-Star and 2-time All-MLB First Team player.

In a recent exclusive interview with Yonder Alonso (Machado’s brother-in-law), the two third basemen reveal their different approaches to playing the hot corner.

Two of the very best third basemen this game has ever seen! @YonderalonsoU sat down with Manny Machado and Nolan Arenado to discuss their career paths, the art of playing the hot corner and what it would mean to be in Cooperstown one day. pic.twitter.com/lLgO2K2RDK

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 1, 2026

Machado: “It’s the hot corner for a reason. He (Arenado) has played it a lot longer than I have. I transitioned from short to go over there. It was a little tougher for me to get used to that angle, but it’s been interesting and fun.”

Arenado: “The good thing about both of us is that we both have our own style. We are both unique in our own ways. I am more of a traditional American fielder. He (Machado) is the flavor-flav style; he’s got that Latin flavor. He’s smoother than me; he’s got that loose arm. I’ve always admired how free his game is. That is just the cool part about our games.”

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