Fantasy Baseball: Top 15 Third Basemen

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Mar 15, 2010

Fantasy Baseball: Top 15 Third Basemen

Alex Rodriguez

For obvious reasons, we're going to ignore A-Rod's monster 2007 season (54 HRs, 156 RBIs, 143 runs, 24 steals, .314 BA) and focus on the last two years as the jumping-off point for 2010. That aside, he's still the No. 1 player at his position -- and most likely the No. 3 choice in all drafts. Projections: 41 HRs, 108 RBIs, 101 runs, 11 steals and .303 average.

Evan Longoria

Longoria can certainly challenge A-Rod in homers, RBIs, runs and maybe even steals. But unless the batting average breaks .290 this season, he'll have to wait until his fourth MLB season to become top dog at the hot corner. Projections: 32 HRs, 115 RBIs, 97 runs, 8 steals and .289 average.

David Wright

Wright deserves the benefit of the doubt for his 10 HR/72 RBIs slumber in 2009, his first season at cavernous Citi Field. But it took a few rewrites to rank him ahead of Mark Reynolds. Even if the fences at his home ballpark are lower, Wright likely has no shot at eclipsing 30 homers or 110 RBIs this year. But there's ample reason to believe he'll experience career-bests in batting average. Projections: 23 HRs, 93 RBIs, 103 runs, 26 steals and .329 average.

Mark Reynolds

Forget about the 44 HRs/102 RBIs/24 steals/223 strikeouts for just one second, as we point to this telling stat: In 2009, Reynolds hit just .208 with runners in scoring position. That alone should indicate Reynolds' dream season was not a fluke. In fact, he might be in store for more good karma in 2010. Projections: 32 HRs, 104 RBIs, 92 runs, 27 steals, .259 average.

Michael Young

As great as Young was in 2009 (22 HRs/.322 average), we're inclined to lean on the production from a year earlier when establishing output: 17 HRs, 84 RBIs, 94 runs, 10 steals and .301 batting average. But then again, perhaps we're underselling his role on the AL's greatest run-producing machine of 2010 (the Rangers). And maybe, just maybe, we're underestimating Julio Borbon, Elvis Andrus and Ian Kinsler's abilities to post OBPs of .380, enabling Young to rack up 90-plus RBIs. Projections: 19 HRs, 83 RBIs, 99 runs, 12 steals and .324 average.

Aramis Ramirez

In the past three seasons, Ramirez's home-run rate has ranged from 1 per every 19.46 at-bats (2007) to 1 per every 20.52 at-bats (2008), including last year (15 HRs in 306 at-bats). So, assuming the 31-year-old Ramirez can stay relatively injury-free and amass 530 at-bats, he's a precedent-citing lock for 26 HRs, 112 RBIs, 87 runs, 1 steal and .308 average.

Pablo Sandoval

Just imagine what kind of damage Sandoval could do if he had better protection in the Giants' lineup. And then imagine how many runs and steals a slimmed-down Sandoval could register in only his second full season. Well, there are reports that Sandoval lost significant weight during the offseason, which should boost his runs and steals to 85 and 11, respectively. As for the lineup-protection part, he still must overcompensate for the power-deficient travails of Eugenio Velez, Freddy Sanchez, Edgar Renteria, Aaron Rowand and likely Mark DeRosa and Aubrey Huff. Projections: 25 HRs, 94 RBIs, 85 runs, 11 steals, .331 average.

Chipper Jones

In last year's preview, I correctly asserted that Jones would fall back to earth after an amazing 2008 season. And now, I'm happy to get back on the bandwagon of a suddenly underrated lock for 22 HRs, 87 RBIs, 83 runs, 4 steals and .323 average. Why so optimistic about the 37-year-old Jones? Well, he's too good to be 2009-bad and he's playing on a club that's loaded at every position -- even if the Braves delay Jason Heyward's ballyhooed arrival until June 1.

Ryan Zimmerman

Someone had to draw the short straw here and it just happens to be the best infielder on the majors' worst team (or so we think). Yes, Zimmerman racked up 33/106/110 runs/.292 in 2009, but I'm just not sold on him as a 30/100/100/.290 machine, year-in and year-out. If I'm wrong on this pick -- like way off -- feel free to ignore next year's countdown at the hot corner. In the meantime, let's assume Zim is no fantasy match for Chipper, Sandoval and Ramirez. Projections: 24 HRs, 73 RBIs, 95 runs, 3 steals, .291 average.

Chone Figgins

Ideally, Figgins would garner a top-7 ranking that doesn't account for his move from Anaheim to Seattle. But he's bound to pay a fantasy price for accepting the Mariners' lucrative in the offseason -- in the form of falling woefully short of 114 runs/42 steals from last year. And while we're making cuts here, wave bye-bye to the .395 OBP! Projections: 4 HRs, 51 RBIs, 97 runs, 37 steals and .304 average.

Ian Stewart

There's just something about a guy named "Ian" who once enjoyed Brandon Wood-like production in the minor leagues (that's a good thing) and gets to play 81 games in the thin Colorado air (humidors be damned!). And there's just something about a versatile player who seems like a strong candidate for 26 HRs, 80 RBIs and 80 runs ... and has absolutely no shot of hitting .228 again. This pick is admittedly a gamble; but in Stewart's defense, the next six second basemen have their fair share of negative nellies, as well. Projections: 24 HRs, 79 RBIs, 84 runs, 7 steals, .264 average.

Gordon Beckham

The second-year Beckham is going as high as 42 in mixed-league mock drafts -- a slot that suggests a significant upgrade from 2009 (14 HRs, 63 RBIs, .270 in 378 at-bats). But let's not get too hasty here in overprojecting a future stud with plenty of hard knocks still ahead. If you're looking for 16 HRs, 72 RBIs and 13 steals from Beckham this season -- he's your man! But if you're not willing to accept another .270 campaign with mediocre run totals, just make sure to wait longer than Round 4/5 to grab him.

Adrian Beltre

Boston or no Boston, Beltre is still an erratic hitter who can no longer dominate any one category. Of course, it'd be foolish to think he won't eclipse 75 runs and 15 steals while playing in Fenway Park ... along with 19 homers. After that, all bets are off. Projections: 19 HRs, 61 RBIs, 75 runs, 15 steals, .260 average.

Alex Gordon

Around June 1 or so, our 2007 mancrush for Gordon will officially expire, leaving us no choice but to live vicariously through Casey McGehee, Mat Gamel, Brett Wallace or Jake Fox. In the meantime, however, we cannot forget about Gordon's amazing natural gifts as a hitter, which explains this ambitious output for a full (and healthy) campaign. Projections: 20 HRs, 67 RBIs, 78 runs, 13 steals and .288 average.

Garrett Atkins

Speaking of mancrush expirations, I had no great aspirations for Atkins before his trade to the Orioles. But now, he has an outside chance of almost reaching his 2008 totals (21 HRs, 99 RBIs, 86 runs, .286 average) on a club with solid power hitters and potentially stellar pitching. And get this, no one will expect him to carry this club in any way. Talk about an easy way to make a living! Projections: 19 HRs, 86 RBIs, 91 runs, 4 steals, .283 average.