Fantasy Baseball 2012: Ranking the Top 15 Third Basemen

Hi again, fantasy folks. For the past few weeks, I've gone over everything you'll need to know for your draft from overall rankings to value players to potential secret weapons.

This week, with spring training just around the corner, we'll be starting discussion on the best players available at certain positions.

To start us off, I'd like to begin with one of the most shallow positions in fantasy baseball: third base.  Though some of the best hitters in the game man the hot corner, such as New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez (pictured), men who can put up big numbers at third base are actually few and far between.  Once you pass A-Rod, David Wright and the other sluggers there, the pond tends to get pretty dry.

Yet, fear not. Seeing as how most fantasy baseball leagues are no more than 10-12 people, there are just enough third basemen to go around. 

Here are the top 15 who could be worth a look come draft time.

No. 15: Danny Valencia, Minnesota Twins

First off, Danny Valencia shouldn't be at the top of your third base wish list going into your draft. If said draft pans out in such a way that you end up missing the third base boat, though, he's still a viable option at the hot corner.

Valencia hit .311 in his 85-game rookie campaign of 2010 and 2011 saw his batting average dip to .246, with a .294 OBP adding insult to injury. Still, he showcased some pop and hit 15 home runs while having 72 RBI.

Considering how his home stadium is the pitcher-friendly Target Field and those 15 homers ranked second on the team, that's pretty impressive.

Thus, while he isn't the best at his position by a long shot, Valencia could still help you out in 2012. He's surely going to rebound from a sophomore slump and the home runs should keep on coming.

In a pinch, he'll do just fine.

No. 14: David Freese, St. Louis Cardinals

Given his epic postseason, there are surely going to be some people who are going to be quick to jump at the prospect of drafting reigning World Series MVP David Freese.

I have one thing to say to those people: HOLD EVERYTHING.

Don't get me wrong, I was excited as anyone to see Freese do well last postseason, but I'm not necessarily champing at the bit to have him on my team.

For one thing, he is incredibly injury-prone and has only played in 167 games the past two seasons of his brief three-year career. Drafting Freese is essentially the same as asking to be someone who browses the waiver wire each day looking for a player to pick up while one of his starters is on the DL.

Still, in 97 games last year, Freese hit .297 and showed some pop with 10 home runs and 55 RBI. Also, we saw his propensity for clutch hitting in the playoffs.

If your third base options are running thin and you want someone who's surely going to produce when healthy, then Freese is definitely your man.

No. 13: Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves

First off, if you're going to draft Chipper Jones, make sure that you have a decent third base-eligible player on your bench. The Atlanta Braves veteran is good, but from the time the first pitch of the season is thrown, you might as well start the countdown as to when he'll get hurt and put on the DL.

He's been injury-prone his whole career and hasn't played in 150-plus games since 2003.

Still, in 126 games last season, Jones hit .275 with 18 homers and 70 RBI. For someone who'll turn 40 a couple of weeks into the season, that's beyond impressive.

While he shouldn't be your first choice as a starter at third base, Jones should still put up some good numbers for you in 2012.

No. 12: Mark Reynolds, Baltimore Orioles

We continue up from the bottom of the third base barrel with Mark Reynolds of the Baltimore Orioles.

Here is a guy you should draft, but only if you're prepared to take a big hit in batting average while possibly cleaning house in home runs. Reynolds hit 37 of those his first year in Baltimore and also had 86 RBI, but hit just .221 and struck out 196 times.

Still, if you play in an ultra-competitive league where OBP counts as well as home runs and batting average, then Reynolds could definitely help you out. His average may have been low last year, but his OBP was a phenomenal .323.

Thus, either if you've missed the chance on drafting a top third baseman or just want to have lots of home runs at the risk of posting a low batting average, Reynolds just might be worth a look.

No. 11: Brett Lawrie, Toronto Blue Jays

Given how much of a beast Brett Lawrie was in the minors in 2011 (.347 average, 18 homers, 62 RBI), it's no surprise that he took the majors by storm when he was called up. He only appeared in 43 games, but he hit .293 with nine home runs and 25 RBI while posting an amazing .373 OBP.

Therein lies why Lawrie is ranked so low on this list: inexperience. Sure, he was great in the games he played last year and I'm sure he has a great career ahead of him, but we can't rule out a possible case of Shane Spencer Syndrome—he's great when he's first called up, but then just fizzles out.

Still, Lawrie is definitely worth the risk so if you feel like drafting him, make sure you have him before anyone else does.

No. 10: Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals

I can understand why some may be hesitant to draft Ryan Zimmerman, as injuries limited him to 101 games in 2011. Still, he's entering the second-to-last year of his current contract and is playing for a new deal/extension, so I can guarantee that he's going to be in the zone this season.

On top of that, Zimmerman wasn't bad last season, as he hit .289 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI. When he's healthy, he's a lock for 25 to 30 longballs and can definitely drive in 100 runs or more while hitting for a high average.

The Nationals are going to be a sleeper team of 2012 and Zimmerman is going to be in the heart of the order, so he'll definitely produce barring a major offensive collapse.

Even if he isn't your first choice, he's a fine man to be manning the hot corner on your fantasy team.

No. 9: Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants

As much as I love Pablo Sandoval, there are two things to consider before drafting him: the pitcher-friendliness of AT&T Park and the fact that his conditioning may be hit or miss all year long.

Still, as far as switch hitters go, you can't really argue with the fact that the man known as Kung Fu Panda is great when in top shape.

A broken wrist limited him to 117 games in 2011, but the man still hit .315 with 23 home runs and 70 RBI as he returned to the form that made him a household name in 2009.

So long as he stays healthy this season and the Giants offense is such that he's not the only one pulling his weight, he'll definitely do some fine work in fantasyland and may be due for a career year.

No. 8: David Wright, New York Mets

Under normal circumstances, I'd have David Wright ranked much higher on a list like this.  However, due to an injury-shortened 2011 that saw him hit a career-worst .254 with just 14 home runs and 61 RBI—not to mention the fact that Citi Field is where power goes to die—he's coming in at No. 8.

Don't get me wrong, Wright is not a bad player by any means and considering the pitcher-friendly dimensions of Citi Field, he's done a decent job even though most of his homers have come on the road.

Still, with the fences moved in this season, he could experience a rebound in a big way.

The fact is that even though he was off last year, Wright can still hit around or above .300 and hit 30 home runs with 100-plus RBI. At full health, along with the fact that he may be traded at some point in 2012, he's sure to be a solid option for you at third base when it comes time to draft that position.

No. 7: Hanley Ramirez, Miami Marlins

Hanley Ramirez is moving from shortstop to third base for the 2012 season and given his abysmal 2011 campaign, I can understand why some may have reservations about drafting him. He had the worst offensive season of his career, hitting .243 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI in 92 games before missing the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

He stole 20 bases, but just didn't look himself.

However, the Marlins have a new look and new attitude entering the season and even though his own attitude has always been questionable, I have a feeling that Han-Ram will be back full force.

Simply put, by fantasy standards, he's a threat in every way possible. He gets on base, scores runs, hits for great average and power and is a dangerous threat on the basepaths.

Sure, he's probably going to be lower in the rankings this year than in previous seasons, but that's all the more reason to draft him. There's the chance that everyone else in your league probably won't give him a second look. In doing so, they'll make a big mistake.

No. 6: Aramis Ramirez, Milwaukee Brewers

This offseason, Aramis Ramirez signed a three-year deal worth around $34 million to play third base for the Milwaukee Brewers. It's not exactly a surprise, seeing as how he hit .306 with 26 homers and 93 RBI for the Chicago Cubs and showcased the offensive ability that he had in the prime of his career.

Others have criticized the deal, citing Ramirez's tendency to get hurt, but I have a feeling that he's going to do just fine for the Brew Crew. As we have seen with Ryan Braun, Miller Park is a stadium where right-handed power hitters can do some great work.

Even though Ramirez is turning 34 in June, I'm thinking he's still got at least one more All-Star season left in the tank.

Thus, even though he isn't the best third baseman out there by a long shot, drafting Ramirez as your starter there wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

No. 5: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays

He may be penciled in as the starting rightfielder in 2012, but in fantasy baseball, Jose Bautista is going to be third base-eligible. In terms of overall offensive ability, you won't be able to go wrong with the man known as "Joey Bats."

Bautista built off of a breakout 2010 campaign and led the majors with 43 home runs and also had 103 RBI. The home run total was down from 2010's 54, but that was only because he improved his swing so that he could be more than just a home run hitter.

His batting average jumped from .260 to .302 and his OBP was an unbelievable .447.

Just how many home runs Bautista will have in 2012 remains to be seen and sure, you should probably draft a suitable backup in case he doesn't work out. The fact remains, though, that he's been the most dangerous hitter in baseball the past two years.

If you want to strike fear into the hearts of the managers you play each week in fantasy (assuming you play in a head-to-head league), then Joey Bats is a great bat to have.

No. 4: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees

Yes, I know that Alex Rodriguez is getting old. Yes, I am fully aware that 2011 was one of the worst/most frustrating seasons of his career. Yes, I still think he can be a good fantasy third baseman.

If there's one thing I've learned in watching Rodriguez over the years, it's that he tends to rebound following horrible seasons/postseasons. On top of that, if the knee surgery he had this offseason is as miraculous as both he and the doctor claim it is, then I'm honestly excited to see the results.

Say what you want about his age, but A-Rod is still a great athlete who is a dangerous presence in the lineup when healthy.

What you do in your fantasy draft regarding third base is up to you. I'm just saying that if Rodriguez ended up as the third baseman on my fantasy baseball team, I wouldn't be too upset.

No. 3: Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox

Kevin Youkilis had to endure a second straight season that was cut short by injury, and this one saw him hit a career-worst .258 despite 17 homers and 80 RBI. Yet, the Greek God of Walks managed to post a ridiculous .373 OBP and if you play in a league where that counts, this man could be the best one to have in that department.

On top of that, Youkilis could potentially be playing for a new contract as his current deal runs out this season and it remains to be seen whether or not an option for 2013 will be picked up. 

The way I see it, he's going to be an unquestioned leader in the clubhouse in 2012 and ready to get back to his old form, hitting well for average and mashing home runs over the Green Monster.

Regarding his 2012 fantasy status, there should be no reservations whatsoever about drafting him.

No. 2: Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers

Adrian Beltre had a great first season in Texas, batting .296 with 32 homers and 105 RBI as he took full advantage of the hitter-friendliness of the Ballpark in Arlington. However, those numbers were posted over just 124 games as he missed about a month and a half of time with a strained hamstring.

That being said, assuming he stays healthy, Beltre is going to have a monster season in 2012. I'm talking one similar to his 2004 campaign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, when he hit .334 with 48 long balls and 121 RBI.

Even if he does miss time with injury, Beltre is going to have another great year playing in a hitter's park. The Rangers easily have the most dangerous lineup in baseball and with Beltre smack-dab in the middle of it, this offense is primed for another great season.

Beltre will also have a great season, and so will you if you draft him as your starting third baseman.

No. 1: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays

Evan Longoria missed time with a strained oblique muscle last year and hit a career-worst .244, but his OBP was still a respectable .355 and he smacked 31 homers with 99 RBI. More importantly, he was instrumental in the Rays run to clinching the AL Wild Card, even hitting the game-winning and wild-card-clinching home run on the last day of the season.

Simply put, last year was a fluke for Longoria. He's only 26 years old and has a ridiculously high ceiling, as he has the potential to hit over .300 with 30-plus home runs and 100-plus RBI. His team doesn't score a lot of runs, but he is responsible for a lot of them that are scored.

Thus, when it comes to fantasy, you simply can't go wrong with this guy. He's simply just great. Considering how the Rays are going to make a big run for the AL East flag in 2012, expect Longoria to carry that offense and come through with a great number of clutch hits over the course of the season.

No matter how you look at it, he's the best third baseman available come draft day.