The third base position is a shallow position that is extremely top heavy with a lot of question marks after the top eight players. In drafts you’re going to want to draft one of these eight players. If you do not you should wait in drafts before filling this position because all the players basically the same.
Previous rankings: Catchers, First Base, Second Base, Third Base, Shortstop Outfield part one and part two, Pitchers part one, part two, and part three.
- Miguel Cabrera
- David Wright – his accounting stats were suppressed by the talent around him, but if some players rebound (Ike Davis and Lucas Duda) and some prospects take steps to reaching their potential (Travis d’Arnaud and Wilmer Flores) he could have a big year.
- Matt Carpenter – see second base rankings.
- Adrian Beltre – will begin the season at the age of 35; there are no statistical evidence to suggest he could decline, but I’m weary of using a high draft pick on an older player.
- Evan Longoria – finally eclipsing 600+ at-bats for the first time in his career and provided “meh” numbers; his reputation will probably make him a top 15 pick, which means I will not own him.
- Ryan Zimmerman – 2014 will most likely be his last year at third base because his inability to throw accurately on a consistent basis; offensively, he’s a very consistent home run hitter who will hit in the middle of a lineup that should have a healthy Bryce Harper.
- Kyle Seager – a slash line of .260/.338/.426 with 22 home runs may not seem like a lot, but considering he plays half of his games at Safeco those numbers are a true testament of how good of a player he is.
- Pedro Alvarez – will always be a batting average risk because of his approach at the plate, but he will hit in the middle of the lineup and provide elite power numbers.
- Manny Machado – Machado had surgery to repair a ligament in his knee and will rehab 4-6 months, which means he could be ready for Spring Training; even if he never got hurt he would only be ranked one spot higher because he doesn’t provide any above average production
- Josh Donaldson – .301 batting average will not likely be repeated (expect .260-.275), but the power totals are legit.
- Martin Prado – see second base rankings.
- Pablo Sandoval – it’s possible the injury in his left foot could have been the reason for his poor performance; it’s been four years since his breakout season and it looks as though he doesn’t have the #WANT to reach his potential.
- Will Middlebrooks – after being called up in August his slash line was .276/.329/.476 with eight home runs in 158 plate appearances.
- Brett Lawrie – since his breakout 2011 season his slash line (in 978 plate appearances) is .273/.324/.405 with 22 home runs and 22 stolen bases.
- Aramis Ramirez – will 2014 at the age of 36; the analysts who love him will tout how good of a player he is when he’s on the field, but
- Chase Headley – since 2009 these are his home run totals: 12, 11, 4, 31, 13; which number looks more out of place?
- Todd Frazier
- Matt Dominguez – had a more aggressive approach at the plate towards the end of the season and he saw a substantial uptick in offensive performance.
- Alex Rodriguez – could be higher if he’s able to play on Opening Day
- Nolan Arenado – on the road he had a slash line of .238/.267/.352 compared to .298/.335/.459 at home; he’s a great streaming option if you only play him at home.
- Mike Olt – Olt has been dealing with vision problems for at least a year and his performance has suffered; he was taking eye drops, which helped, but he had to stop taking them; if he can correct his vision problems he could be an excellent deep sleeper.
- David Freese
- Trevor Plouffe
- Alberto Callaspo
- Mike Moustakas – in 1,493 plate appearances he has a slash line of .244/.296/.385; the upside of a first division all-star is probably not there anymore.
- Lonnie Chisenhall
- Chris Johnson – he will not have a .394 BABIP again and therefore, will not hit .321 batting average again.
