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Fantasy baseball 2020 tiered third basemen rankings

By Bill Pivetz

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies reacts and tosses his helmet away after striking out swinging against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the seventh inning at Oracle Park on September 25, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies reacts and tosses his helmet away after striking out swinging against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the seventh inning at Oracle Park on September 25, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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If you’re in this tier, these players need to be drafted as backups in mixed leagues. They are borderline starters in AL/NL only leagues.

Kyle Seager, SEA

Seager is three years removed from his best season. He hasn’t hit over .250 or 30 home runs in that span. Last year was the first year he played in less than 150 games. If Seager can stay healthy, maybe we see a return to form.

Unfortunately, I don’t think he gets all the way back. I do think he gets back to 150 games with 30 home runs. He just won’t hit for higher than .260. Hitting third in the lineup will help his counting stats. As a 23rd round pick, you could do a lot worse.

Tommy La Stella, LAA

I talked about La Stella in my second base rankings. He’s in the same tier for both positions. He’ll hit between 12-16 home runs with a .275 average. It’s nothing exciting but won’t hurt you if you draft him.

Brian Anderson, MIA

Anderson missed 30 games last season but saw an improvement in his power numbers. He finished with 20 homers, 66 RBIs and a .261 average. If he gets back to 150-plus games, Anderson will be a sleeper pick among third basemen.

The Marlins offense got a little better with the additions of Jonathan Villar, Corey Dickerson and Jesus Aguilar. Anderson will hit third, giving him chances to drive in some runs. However, he’ll have to do it against some tough opposing pitching.

Scott Kingery, PHI

This is Kingery’s first appearance on my rankings. He’ll come up again on the next position. After signing a big contract before even playing in a game, Kingery disappointed everyone in 2018. He did come back for a better season last year. He finished with 19 home runs, 55 RBIs, 15 steals and a .258 average.

The Phillies lineup looks dangerous on paper. When Adam Haseley is the worst part of the lineup, you’re doing something right. Kingery will hit sixth or seventh this season. That will limit his at-bats but he’ll still be able to produce. We could see him hit 25 homers with 20 steals and a .260 average.

Yandy Diaz, TB

I mentioned Diaz in my first base rankings. He will be the Rays primary third baseman and hit third in a revamped Tampa Bay offense. With a full season ahead of him, we could see Diaz hit 25 home runs with a .280 average. Hitting in the AL East will help his value.

Ryan McMahon, COL

McMahon made an appearance on my second base rankings. He was one game short of becoming eligible in standard ESPN leagues, playing in 19 games. Hitting in Coors Field will help elevate his projections. Plus, finding a permanent spot as the second baseman helps, too.

Gio Urshela, NYY

Urshela was the biggest benefactor of the Yankees’ injury bug last season. He played a combined 86 games in the last two years. He played in 132 games last season. Urshela finished with 21 home runs, 74 RBIs and a .314 average.

The infield, as of now, is at full health. Yet, according to Roster Resource, Urshela is listed as the starting third baseman with Miguel Andujar on the bench. Andujar is the better hitter but Urshela’s been touted for his glove for years. I think they split time, hurting Urshela’s value.

But, with injuries, Urshela may be worth stashing.

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