Top 15 Fantasy Baseball Third Basemen For 2010: Take Three

Who remembers the days when 3B was a deep position? 

Well, those are long behind us, with owners now hoping to get a hold of one of the top options in fear of what they may be left with.  That’s not to say the later options are bad, but they certainly carry risk.  It’s amazing how things have changes, so let’s take a look at my current rankings (based on my projections):

1. Alex Rodriguez—New York Yankees
2. Evan Longoria—Tampa Bay Rays
3. David Wright—New York Mets
4. Kevin Youkilis—Boston Red Sox
5. Mark Reynolds—Arizona Diamondbacks
6. Ryan Zimmerman—Washington Nationals
7. Pablo Sandoval—San Francisco Giants
8. Aramis Ramirez—Chicago Cubs
9. Chone Figgins—Seattle Mariners
10. Michael Young—Texas Rangers
11. Adrian Beltre—Boston Red Sox
12. Kevin Kouzmanoff—Oakland Athletics
13. Jhonny Peralta—Cleveland Indians
14. Ian Stewart—Colorado Rockies
15. Gordon Beckham—Chicago White Sox

Thoughts:

• I’ve already discussed why I think Kouzmanoff is a great sleeper for 2010 (click here to view), and the move to Oakland doesn’t change my thoughts.  Granted, he’s going to lose a bit since he's no longer hitting behind Adrian Gonzalez, but Kurt Suzuki should be on base more than enough to allow him to drive in runs.  Someone on that team needs to get RBI, so my projection remains unchanged.  I know I’m higher on him than most, but I would consider him a late-round flyer in all formats.  I wouldn’t necessarily take him as the 12th third baseman, but that’s where the projections placed him.  It does help to show the state of the position.
• Aramis Ramirez is a solid option once the top names are off the board.  His September performance (.300, four HRs, 18 RBI) should help alleviate any fears people have that he is on the decline.
• Adrian Beltre’s value should be helped by his move to Boston.  While I wouldn’t expect him to rediscover his 40 HR stroke (that 2004 season seems like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it?), he should be the player he has proven capable of being from 2006-2008.  That means mid-20s HRs and a solid average.  Given the state of the position, that’s not too bad.
• Michael Young’s potential value shouldn’t be completely written off, though the chances of him replicating his 2009 renaissance seem far-fetched.  The power is going to fall (he hit 22 HRs after hitting 35 total from ‘06-’08), but his average potential gives him an edge over other low-end options.
• I’ve discussed Jhonny Peralta as a solid bounce-back candidate (click here to view) and certainly wouldn’t shy away from him in deeper formats.
• Even in a shallow position, Gordon Beckham’s numbers translate better to second base, and I wouldn’t want to draft him as my starter.  Click here to see more of my thoughts on him.
• What is there to say about the top seven options?

What are your thoughts on the rankings?  Who’s too high?  Too low?  Who was the biggest omission?

Make sure to place your order for the Rotoprofessor 2010 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, selling for just $5, by clicking here .

Make sure to check out our other early rankings:

• Catchers
• First Basemen
• Second Basemen
• Shortstops
• Outfielders
• Starting Pitchers
• Closers

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