Fantasy Baseball 2012: 3rd Base Rankings

This is the next installment of my series of fantasy baseball rankings. This slideshow will consist of my projected top-20 third basemen.

Projected stats will be included for each third baseman listed. Let me know what you think in the comment section.

Here are my previous position rankings:

Catcher

First Base

Second Base

Shortstop

1. Evan Longoria, Rays

Longoria had a bit of an off year with a trip to the DL and a regression in batting average but still hit 31 home runs and 99 RBIs last summer.

Now that he's fully healthy, a career year could very well be ahead for Longoria. Don't be afraid to pick him in the first round, since third base is a scarce position.

Projected Stats: .278, 97 R, 34 HR, 113 RBI, 8 SB

2. David Wright, Mets

Wright had an injury-filled season last year but should be fully healthy this season.

Citi Field will be more hitter-friendly this year, so that will also help Wright have a rebound season. His numbers can only go up from last year.

Projected Stats: .277, 84 R, 26 HR, 93 RBI, 18 SB 

3. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals

Zimmerman also fell victim to the injury bug last season but finished strongly. He should be able to carry that into this season and bounce back.

Expect Zimmerman to be a top-three third baseman in an emerging Nationals lineup.

Projected Stats: .294, 93 R, 28 HR, 99 RBI, 3 SB

4. Adrian Beltre, Rangers

Beltre was another third baseman who took a trip to the DL, missing August.

He still posted a great season, though, and he should continue to do so in a powerful Rangers lineup. 

If he can stay fully healthy, he may have an even better season, and spending some time at DH should help. Beltre is still a top-five third baseman and is worth an early pick.

Projected Stats: .292, 85 R, 29 HR, 103 RBI, 1 SB 

5. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins

Ramirez may have Jose Reyes hitting with him, but that's also a red flag. 

His transition to third base hasn't been going smoothly so far, and that may very well affect his production this season. 

He also came off shoulder surgery. You will have to take him in the first three rounds to get him, and that's not worth the risk. Steer clear.

Projected Stats: .291, 86 R, 18 HR, 73 RBI, 25 SB

6. Pablo Sandoval, Giants

Sandoval had a great bounce-back season after trimming down in the offseason, and he's still in great shape.

He missed some time and still posted solid numbers. He should maintain his power and get more RBIs if he can stay fully healthy.

Projected Stats: .298, 68 R, 24 HR, 85 RBI, 3 SB

7. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees

A-Rod's days of posting astronomical numbers are over, but he's still one of the better fantasy third basemen.

He was also an injury bug victim but is working even harder in the offseason, so he should be able to have a more healthy season and still post solid numbers.

Projected Stats: .274, 73 R, 25 HR, 93 RBI, 5 SB

8. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox

Youkilis is always an injury risk but is still solid when healthy. 

Youkilis will be a value pick this year now that he's ranked lower. Hitting in the Red Sox lineup will always help his numbers.

Projected Stats: .293, 81 R, 21 HR, 84 RBI, 3 SB

9. Aramis Ramirez, Brewers

Ramirez had a great comeback season last year and did it in a weak Cubs lineup.

Joining the Brewers lineup and a more hitter-friendly park in Miller Park will help his numbers stay up.

Projected Stats: .285, 74 R, 24 HR, 87 RBI, 0 SB

10. Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays

Lawrie looked very promising in his debut for the Blue Jays and is an instant candidate for AL Rookie of the Year. His base-stealing ability is rare among third basemen, too.

With his unlimited upside comes high risk, though. Lawrie is on everyone's sleeper list, so he's being drafted as high as the first five rounds.

Lawrie will have a good season but isn't worth drafting as high as he's ranked.

Projected Stats: .273, 75 R, 19 HR, 82 RBI, 10 SB

11. Michael Young, Rangers

Young is 35 now but is still getting plenty of hits, and he's a steady run producer.

He's a cheap option that will give you solid numbers, and his durability and consistency are excellent.

Hitting in the Rangers lineup helps a lot too.

Projected Stats: .306, 86 R, 13 HR, 89 RBI, 4 SB

12. Mark Reynolds, Orioles

Reynolds will weigh down your batting average and strikes out a lot, but he's a cheap source of home runs. Hitting 40 isn't out of the question for him.

The Orioles lineup is solid and hits in a hitter-friendly Camden Yards. Reynolds has pretty good speed, too.

Projected Stats: .233, 75 R, 35 HR, 87 RBI, 6 SB

13. Ryan Roberts, Diamondbacks

Roberts was a surprise breakout hitter for the Diamondbacks last year and should be able to post similar numbers in a Diamondbacks lineup that's continuing to improve.

His second-base eligibility is a plus too.

Projected Stats: .251, 81 R, 16 HR, 62 RBI, 15 SB

14. David Freese, Cardinals

Freese emerged for the Cardinals in the postseason, winning the World Series MVP award.

He should carry his production into this season and be a serviceable fantasy option.

Projected Stats: .277, 73 R, 15 HR, 74 RBI, 2 SB

15. Mike Moustakas, Royals

Moustakas is a big-name prospect but is still pretty low in the rankings, so he's a sleeper option at third base.

The Royals lineup is underrated, and Moustakas is an AL Rookie of the Year candidate. He won't likely post superstar numbers but will still have a solid season.

Projected Stats: .270, 62 R, 15 HR, 66 RBI, 2 SB 

16. Chase Headley, Padres

Headley's fantasy value is weighed down from hitting in a weak Padres lineup and the most pitcher-friendly park in the majors.

He still has moderate power and solid speed, though, making him a serviceable backup for fantasy owners.

Projected Stats: .268, 72 R, 11 HR, 63 RBI, 13 SB 

17. Pedro Alvarez, Pirates

Alvarez had a lot of hype follow him last season, and he couldn't have been more disappointing.

This makes him a good post-hype sleeper, though, and the Pirates lineup is improving. 

Projected Stats: .237, 55 R, 19 HR, 62 RBI, 0 SB

18. Ian Stewart, Cubs

Stewart still has plenty of years ahead of him, so he can't be given up on yet.

If he can hold on to a full-time starting role, he's capable of hitting 20 home runs.

Projected Stats: .242, 59 R, 20 HR, 63 RBI, 4 SB 

19. Danny Valencia, Twins

Valencia had a pretty solid rookie season and has moderate power. His average should go up, too, if he can improve his hitting.

Projected Stats: .270, 66 R, 14 HR, 66 RBI, 2 SB

20. Lonnie Chisenhall, Indians

Chisenhall showed promising signs in his debut and will experience his first full season for the Indians.

He will likely still experience growing pains but will still be a solid backup and a good keeper value.

Projected Stats: .258, 52 R, 15 HR, 57 RBI, 3 SB