Third Basemen

2011 Fantasy Baseball Position Tiers — Third Basemen

1st Tier: Evan Longoria, David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman, Alex Rodriguez

     Even after a down year, Longoria remains an elite third baseman.  Besides, even for a down year, his numbers ranked pretty well amongst third sackers.  His power dropped a bit, but the average went up and he cranked out 15 steals to boot.  Remember, he’s only 25, so the best is yet to come.  Same thing for Zimmerman who was in and out of the lineup with injuries last season.  Small power decline, increased average, and just 26 years old.  These two should be in this tier for quite some time.

     A solid rebound for Wright last season and he did it without much help or protection from the injury-riddle Mets.  His power has returned, the stolen bases are back and the average should follow.  I expect continued improvement with a hopefully healthy group of hitters around him this season.

     And as for A-Rod, say what you want…in decline, pretty boy, self-centered, the only guy who can make getting fed popcorn by Cameron Diaz look creepy, whatever.  He hasn’t played in more than 140 games in each of the last 3 seasons, yet he still bangs 30 HR and 100+ RBI.  His average is still better than most, and so what if he doesn’t steal many bases?  I’ll still be happy drafting him. 

2nd Tier:  Adrian Beltre, Jose Bautista, Pablo Sandoval, Casey McGehee, Kevin Youkilis

     I thought about combining this tier with the one below, but each of these guys separate themselves from the rest for specific reasons.  Should be interesting to see what Beltre does in the post-contract signing year, but come on…that lineup, that ballpark?  Much different situation than it was with Seattle.

     Love the work Bautista put in last year and the strides he’s made working with Jays hitting coach Dwayne Murphy.  He just needs to bring that average up a bit and show me one more year of 30+ HR before I boost him to the top tier.  I think it’s coming.

     We all saw what Sandoval was capable of back in 2009, and I’m banking on a return to form.  His work with Greg Oliver has put him into phenomenal shape and his work with Barry Bonds on pitch selection can only make him better.  Here’s hoping the power stays with him despite the weight loss and he’s learned to lay off the chest high fastball.

     McGehee is actually a bit of a favorite of mine.  I grabbed him as a free agent back in 2009 and targeted him in my draft last season.  He did not disappoint.  He got off to a nice hot start, swooned a bit in June and July, but crushed the ball again in August and finished the season strong.  The so-called experts kept telling you (and me) to sell him, but his August alone helped get me a bye week in my head to head playoffs and he was an integral part of that championship team.

      Youk makes the move across the diamond this year with the addition of Adrian Gonzalez.  I expect the continued high average and solid power, but he might lose out on some RBI with A-Gone clearing the bases in front of him.

3rd Tier:  Aramis Ramirez, Martin Prado, Pedro Alvarez, Mark Reynolds

     Ramirez is always high risk/high reward and there are plenty of other third sackers I would rather take a chance on than him.  His numbers are solid, but the injuries are just too frustrating for me.  if he stays relatively healthy, then he’s second tier material for sure, but I just don’t like the risk.

     Speaking of risk, I was all set to start targeting Alvarez this year, but reports of a poor work ethic and an increased waistline are making me nervous.  But after his debut last season and the fact that he’s hit for decent power in the minors gives me some hope for 220-25 HR.  Let’s just see how much powdered sugar he’s got on hi suniform before we invest.

     Prado is a much better play at second base in fantasy, but if you’re looking for someone safe at third, he’s a decent choice.  High average, mid-level pop and he’s playing the outfield until Chipper goes down.  Someone who’s not such a safe pick would be Reynolds, in my opinion.  The power production is hard to ignore, but the strikeouts and BA are downright awful.  I’m sure there’s going to be an adjustment period to AL pitching, but Camden Yards is still a launching pad.  Draft with caution.

4th Tier:  Ian Stewart, Chase Headley, Miguel Tejada, Chris Johnson, Scott Rolen, Placido Polanco, Michael Young, Edwin Encarnacion

     An intersting group here in the 4th Tier.  My favorite of the group is rising star Johnson.  He showed some real maturity last year afte rhis demotion and continued to hit well when he got brought back up.  He should post a solid average this season and Minute Maid Park coul dhelp him reach the 20 HR mark.

     Young would obviously move up the rankings if he gets traded, especially to Colorado, but that would then knock Stewart down a few places as well.  Polanco is  great for batting average with minimal pop, Headley and Tejada fall just ahead of him in power but behind in average, and the jury’s still out on whether or not Rolen can repeat last year’s resurgence.

     My wild card here is Encarnacion who has been a chronic disappointment over th eyears.  Still, as the full time DH in Toronto, he could do very well for himself and his owners.  We’ll just have to wait and see on that one. 

5th Tier:  David Freese, Omar Infante, Jhonny Peralta, Juan Uribe, Danny Valencia, Casey Blake, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Chipper Jones

     If I’m grabbing anyone from this group, it’s strictly for a corner infield spot or bench material right now.  You know exactly what you’re getting from guys like Peralta, Uribe, and Blake.  Valencia could be a nice late round pickup if he can build on last season’s success.  We’ll hav eto wait and see what happens with Freese’s ankles as the spring progresses and Infnate is a much better play at second base.

     As for Kouzmanoff, he’s could be a decent late round sleeper if he ever gets his power back.  Very tough considering he went from San Diego to Oakland and gets plenty of road games in Angel Stadium and Safeco Field.  And what can I say about Chipper that hasn’t already been said?  Maybe if a report comes out that his legs have been replaced by bionics, then there’s hope for a full season, but alas, that’s not happening.  Great when healthy, but those moments are mucher fewer and far between these days.

6th Tier and beyond:  Maicer Izturis, Brent Morel, Mike Moustakas, Melvin Mora, Brandon Inge, Alberto Callaspo, Ty Wigginton

     This is really fishing in the bottom of the barrel here.  I like the upside of Moustakas so I would consider targeting him late.  Morel could be a late round sleeper, although with Mark Teahen still in th emix in Chicago, it’s hard to say at this point.  Everyone else is…..well…..everyone else.