2026 Fantasy Baseball Third Baseman Rankings: Jose Ramirez Leads The Way

Third base remains one of the most top-heavy positions in 2026 fantasy baseball drafts, with elite five-category production at the top and major profit potential in the middle rounds. Understanding the statistical trends, lineup context, and category impact of the position’s best bats is the key to building a championship roster.

3B1 – Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians (NFBC ADP – 5)

Another season goes by, and Ramirez delivers winning stats in five categories. He had a step back in run (103), home run (30), RBI (85) production while upping his stolen base output (44 – career high). His success ranked him sixth in FPGscore (8.96) for hitters, down from fourth in 2024 (12.04). Ramirez has been a top-five fantasy bat four times over the past five seasons.

His strikeout rate (11.0%) remains elite for a power hitter while taking fewer walks (9.8%). Ramirez had a five-year low in RBI chances (383) and a regression in his RBI rate (14.9% - 20.5% in 2024). His contact batting average (.324) has been in a tight range over the past four years.

Ramirez brings a high launch angle (19.2) and flyball rate (48.4%), which plays well for his pull swing path (53.9%). His exit velocity (88.9), barrel rate (7.0%), and hard-hit rate (37.0%) are well below the best power hitters in the majors, along with his HR/FB rate (12.3%).

He was at his best against left-handed pitching (.322/26/6/26/17 over 174 at-bats). Ramirez regressed after the All-Star break (.267/49/12/35/15 over 247 at-bats).

Jose Ramirez 2026 Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Fantasy Outlook: Hidden in Ramirez’s run and RBI stats is a poor Guardians’ offense last season that ranked 28th in runs (643) and RBIs (621), down from 708 runs and 670 RBIs in 2024. Cleveland lacks supporting foundation bats, which invites fewer scoring chances again this year. The sum of his fantasy stats remains attractive, but his jump in steals masked his regression in runs, home runs, and RBIs. It’s this point: buy the foundation piece (.280/100/30/100/30), with the hope that the Guardians have offensive growth in 2026.

3B2 – Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays (NFBC ADP – 14)

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (13) looks on against the Boston Red Sox in the sixth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

After an injury development season in 2024, Caminero kicked in the fantasy door last year. Home runs (45) drove his fantasy value, leading to winning results in runs (93) and RBIs (110). He came to the plate with 410 runners on base while driving in 15.8% of his chances. His average hit rate (2.025) supports 35+ home runs if given 550 at-bats.

Caminero beat the league average with his strikeout rate (19.1%) while continuing to rank below par with his walk rate (6.3%). His contact batting average (.333) wasn’t an edge. He had a groundball-favoring swing path (46.5%), with minimal line drives (15.5%). Caminero graded well in exit velocity (92.4), barrel rate (14.0%), and hard-hit rate (51.4%).

His best power surge came in August (.262/2012/23/2 over 103 at-bats). He has between six and eight home runs in the other five months, with a floor of 16 RBIs in five months. Caminero had batting average risk on the road (.218/44/23/56/2 over 308 at-bats).

Over four seasons in the minors, Caminero hit .307 with 185 runs, 67 home runs, 217 RBIs, and 20 steals over 1,079 at-bats. He beat the league average with his walk rate (8.8%), with a favorable strikeout rate (18.4%).

Junior Caminero 2026 Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Fantasy Outlook: Caminero was the 12th-best hitter last season based on FPGscore (6.45), with half of his positive outcome coming from the home run category (+3.32). His power sets the tone in his fantasy value, but his natural progression and talent suggest some help in steals and a higher batting average.

A switch back to Tropicana Field should be a significant factor in Caminero’s home run total (22 at home and 23 on the road last season). I’ll set his bar at .280 with 100 runs, 35 home runs, 100 RBIs, and double-digit steals.

3B3 – Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (NFBC ADP – 43)

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Last draft season, Machado was discounted (ADP – 40) in the high-stakes market. He ended up returning for game 1 (calf issue) of the season, making him a value in fantasy leagues. His FPGscore (4.50) ranked him as the 26th hitter. Machado finished with his highest at-bat total (615) since 2018. He needs 931 more hits to reach 3,000 for his career.

Over the past two years, his exit velocity (92.5 and 02.9) reached new career-highs in each season. His barrel rate (12.9%) and hard-hit rate (51.5%) are trending higher while maintaining his launch angle (14.3). Despite his positive power vibes, Machado posted a 12-year low HR/FB rate (13.1%). He brings a favorable approach (strikeout rate – 19.3% and walk rate – 8.1%).

His slow output in home runs came over the first two months (.308/39/6/25/7 over 208 at-bats). Machado’s power returned in June and July (.297 with 25 runs, 14 home runs, 46 RBIs, and three stolen bases over 212 at-bats), followed by one home run over 108 at-bats in August. He only hit .215 over his final 195 at-bats.

Manny Machado 2026 Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Fantasy Outlook: Based on his stats last year, Machado is priced exactly where he should be in 2025. He brings a balanced five-category skill set with a long resume of success. I view him similarly to Bryce Harper, but his ceiling may not be as explosive. If all goes well, .280 with 95 runs, 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases.

3B4 – Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves (NFBC ADP – 79)

Injuries cost Riley 112 games over the last two seasons, resulting in him sliding multiple rounds this draft season. He was part of the Braves' offensive demise in 2024. He had an empty power swing over his first 167 at-bats (.228/24/3/18) while missing two weeks in May with a left side issue (inflammation). Over his next 258 at-bats, his bat returned to form, leading to a .275 batting average with 39 runs, 16 home runs, and 38 RBIs. Unfortunately, he missed the final six weeks of the season with a broken left hand after getting hit by a pitch.

Last year, Riley’s power was lacking over Atlanta’s first 110 games. An abdominal injury ended his season in early August. His bat struggled against lefties (.260/17/4/9 over 96 at-bats) while only being productive in April (.280/12/6/20 over 125 at-bats) despite whiffing 41 times (30.8%). Over the next three months, he hit .251 over 291 at-bats with 42 runs, 10 home runs, 34 RBIs, and two steals.

His exit velocity (92.3) matched his previous two seasons while continuing to have strength in his launch angle (16.8), barrel rate (15.2%), and hard-hit rate (50.2%). Riley hit plenty of line drives (20.4%) while having a flyball swing path (44.6% - six-year high). On the downside, his HR/FB rate (12.4%) was a career low.

Austin Riley 2026 Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Fantasy Outlook: Riley’s glowing flaw from 2025 was a spike in his strikeout rate (28.6%). It ranged between 23.8% and 25.4% over his previous five seasons. He brings 30+ home run power, with runs and RBIs expected to be assets. Riley tends to have a winning contract batting (.375 in 2025), offsetting his strikeout rate. The Braves’ offense looks primed to rebound this year, giving Atlanta’s starting third baseman a chance to be his ADP by a significant margin.

3B5 – Maikel Garcia, Kansas City Royals (NFBC ADP – 81)

Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (11) runs to third base during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Garcia brings a skill set that is much more attractive at second base or shortstop. His bat showed power growth last season, but his average hit rate (1.571) doesn’t point to a push over 20 home runs. He was the 42nd-best hitter based on FPGscore (2.90).

His walk rate (9.3%) reached a new high while his strikeout rate (12.6%) set a career low. The Royals gave him most of his at-bats (239) in the cleanup spot (.255/32/8/23/3) while also seeing time hitting first (82 at-bats), third (90 at-bats), and fifth (105 at-bats). Garcia had a rebound in his contact batting average (.333 – .282).

His power metrics showed growth across the board (exit velocity – 91.3–90.4 in 2024; launch angle – 9.7–6.4 in 2024; barrel rate – 5.6%-3.7% in 2024; and hard-hit rate – 45.1%-42.8% in 2024). On the downside, Garcia still brings a below-par HR/FB rate (8.3%), but set a career-best in his flyball rate (37.7%).

He stole 17 of his 23 bases over the first three months (.309/36/8//38/17 over 307 at-bats). Garcia ended the year with a quiet September (.217/16/1/10/1 over 92 at-bats).

Maikel Garcia 2026 Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Fantasy Outlook: Kansas City signed him to a five-year contract extension in December for $57.5 million. Over the past two seasons, Garcia missed only seven games, giving extra points for his health metrics. The top of the Royals’ lineup looks intriguing this year if Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen develop as expected. This leadoff job should be Garcia, suggesting a jump in runs and stolen bases. Next step: .280 with 100+ runs, 15+ home runs, 65+ RBIs, and 35+ steals, giving him a Jimmy Rollins profile when he was in his prime.

Whether you’re investing an early first-round pick or hunting for a breakout at a discount, these third basemen offer multiple paths to roster construction success. If the surrounding offenses cooperate, this group has the ceiling to deliver league-winning production across all five categories.