Kyle Seager and Josh Donaldson lead the way for 3B in roto leagues

The All Star Break provides time for reflection, and a chance to look at just where your team has gone wrong. Or right, if the case may be.

As all of you fantasy veterans well know, you can never be too comfortable in first place, or too far out in last. Not with more than two months left of the season. That said, now is the time to start looking for those players that can help you gain elusive points in category leagues.

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That is where I come in. I will provide players that can help in each 5×5 category at each position. Some of these guys may be one-category wonders, but if you need that category, is it really such a bad thing?

Most of these guys you will have to trade for. Trades are not a bad thing. They are often the only way you can get your team back into contention.

Would you trade him for

Billy Hamilton

? Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

In one of my leagues for example, someone just traded Carlos Gonzalez for Billy Hamilton. Straight up. He was miles ahead in runs and homers, but near the bottom in steals. So he went out and got the one guy who can net him upwards of five points in that category for the rest of the season. Some in the league complained, but I thought it was brilliant. There is no one else that can give him what he needs like Hamilton.

This piece will focus on third basemen. The catchers are here. The first basemen are here. The second basemen are here. The shortstops are here.

For once, I will not be offering my opinions here. You can tell by the standings what your team needs to stay in contention. This will provide you with the top five in every roto stat at each position.

The numbers should speak for themselves.

Ho hum, another run scored for Rendon. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Runs:

Anthony Rendon, 67

Josh Donaldson, 61

Matt Carpenter, 60

Miguel Cabrera, 57

Todd Frazier, 57

Sleeper: Conor Gillaspie. He is second in runs scored at the position in July. As long as he keeps getting on base like he is, it’s worth a shot.

Alvarez=power in Pittsburgh. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Home Runs:

Josh Donaldson, 20

Todd Frazier, 19

Pedro Alvarez, 15

Kyle Seager, 15

Miguel Cabrera, 14

Mark Reynolds, 14

Juan Francisco, 14

Carlos Santana, 14

Sleeper: Manny Machado. His power may finally be coming around. He has two homers since returning from his suspension.

There is still one category where Miggy is king. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

RBI:

Miguel Cabrera, 75

Josh Donaldson, 65

Kyle Seager, 63

Casey McGehee, 53

Todd Frazier, 53

Anthony Rendon, 53

Sleeper: Ryan Zimmerman. He isn’t on these lists because of all the time he missed, but he has 11 RBI in July. He could be in for a big second half.

Frazier is THE go to guy for CI steals. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Stolen Bases:

Todd Frazier, 14

Leury Garcia, 10

Josh Harrison, 9

Mike Aviles, 8

Anthony Rendon, 8

Sleeper: Alexi Amarista. There isn’t much for speed at third either, but if you’re desperate, Amarista may be worth a flier.

Beltre still knows a thing or two about hitting. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Batting Average: (minimum 100 at bats)

Adrian Beltre, .337

Lonnie Chisenhall, .328

Brock Holt, .327

Conor Gillaspie, .326

Casey McGehee, .319

Sleeper: Kyle Seager. Seager is hitting .358 since June 15th, and has overcome his horrid start.

What we see here is that third base is thin this year, particularly because of all the major injuries. Just wait until next year, when Miggy loses 3B eligibility!

You see some of the usual suspects from previous lists on here such as Rendon and Frazier. What stuck out to me is just how high Kyle Seager is in some of these categories. He had a terrible start, and was even dropped in a lot of standard leagues. You would have to trade for him now, but you might get him at a reasonable price.

Next we will do the outfielders!

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