Fantasy Third Base 10-17
Mar 5, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) singles during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The number before each third baseman’s name represents their overall rank in the 2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings.
This group of third basemen has more injury risks and lower ceilings, but you can find plenty of solid hot corner options among these players. I think that anyone in this article could very realistically finish as a top 10 option at 3B.
10. #95 David Wright New York Mets
David Wright is a prototypical comeback player, but your valuation of him is ultimately how much you believe in the health of the 32-year old. He was a stud from 2005 to 2008 and was a very strong option for the next five years, but he posted a career worst in every counting stat last year (excluding his 2004 rookie year with only 69 games played). Even if you trust Wright in 2015, I could not see him going above anyone I ranked in the top 9 at 3B.
11. #118 Manny Machado Baltimore Orioles
Speaking of injury risks, Manny Machado is a big risk/reward candidate. In 2013, Machado hit 14 home runs and 51 doubles, so many people were hoping that some of those doubles would go over the fence as his power developed with age. While turning doubles into homers may be a spurious correlation, Machado had a PA/HR ratio of 50.71 in 2013 and a 29.5 PA/HR ratio in 2014. He could hit upwards of 20 HR’s and be very productive in BA leagues.
12. #133 Ryan Zimmerman Washington Nationals (also OF eligible)
The third 3B in this article is also not the epitome of health, but Zimmerman could be a pretty great bargain in 2015 because he is only a year removed from a 84/26/79/6/.275 season. Like Wright and Machado, I would be more likely to take the plunge on Ryan Zimmerman if you have a respectable hot corner back-up and a relatively deep team.
13. #139 Kris Bryant Chicago Cubs
The only thing left for Kris Bryant to do at AAA is to push his clock back a year. As tempting as it is for me to reach for my favorite player, I know everyone is intrigued. Here is what I wrote about Kris Bryant a couple months ago. My favorite Bryant fact is that he hit 31 homers at the University of San Diego in 2013. His 31 homers were greater than the number of HR that 223 out of 296 Division I teams hit that season.
14. #159 Pablo Sandoval Boston Red Sox
Unless October becomes the primary focus of fantasy baseball, Sandoval will continue to be a middling fantasy option. However, Sandoval does have the chance to creep closer to his 2011 numbers where he hit 23 homers and .315. If Pablo Sandoval’s ADP is not inflated too much because he signed with the Red Sox, then he could be a solid value and a potential top 10 3B.
15. #163 Aramis Ramirez Milwaukee Brewers
Aramis Ramirez recently decided that 2015 was going to be his last season in the Major Leagues. The longtime NL Central stalwart still has enough in the tank to hit about 15 homers and a .280 batting average. I am really rooting for Ramirez to stay healthy in his final MLB season because he is still a very solid hitter even at 36.
16. #182 Josh Harrison Pittsburgh Pirates (also OF eligible)
I feel like most people will have Josh Harrison ranked quite a bit higher than this, but I think we see a sizable regression in his batting average as well as single digit home runs. However, Harrison’s R and RBI totals can be repeated or even exceeded because he should be at the hot corner on a daily basis. I have no issue with you drafting Harrison above Bryant, Sandoval, or Ramirez.
17. #183 Matt Carpenter St. Louis Cardinals
I think that Matt Carpenter is a much better real life player than fantasy option. He has a phenomenal eye at the plate and has a career 25% line drive rate. Carpenter is also a good bet for a .285 BA and 100 runs. His HR/FB rate was down a touch in 2014, and I think he is more of a 10-12 HR guy rather than the eight homer total he had in 2014. Carpenter is much better in OBP leagues with his career .379 OBP. I guess I may have ranked him too low.