Fantasy Baseball 2012: Positional Draft Tiers—Third Base

Here are the four tiers of third-base prospects for 12-team mixed roto leagues. Fantasy owners should prioritize one of the elite-class hitters in the first five rounds, setting up the plausible additions of two more assets from Rounds 8-15, particularly Kansas City masher Mike Moustakas.

Of course, these rankings don't reflect the impending arrival of superstars Miguel Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez (3B-eligible sometime before May 1), who have commandeered the hot corner for the Tigers and Marlins, respectively.

Tier 1

• Jose Bautista, Blue Jays (has one more year of 3B eligibility; a top-five overall pick)
• Evan Longoria, Rays
• Adrian Beltre, Rangers (a fantasy building block into his 30s)
• David Wright, Mets
• Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals
• Michael Young, Rangers (he'll probably notch 200 hits again)
• Pablo Sandoval, Giants
• Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays (this Longo clone has a clear shot at dominating in Toronto)

Tier 2

• Aramis Ramirez, Brewers (had everything going his way last season)
• Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
• Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox
• Ryan Roberts, Diamondbacks (speed-power option has 2B/3B eligibility)
• Mark Reynolds, Orioles (a virtual lock for 34 HRs, 85 RBIs and 83 runs)
• Mike Moustakas, Royals (do not let him fall past Round 15)

Tier 3

• Martin Prado, Braves
• Emilio Bonifacio, Marlins (a three-category factor when he's rolling)
• Chipper Jones, Braves (2019 Hall of Famer taking one last lap around the diamond)
• Sean Rodriguez, Rays
• Chase Headley, Padres (fingers crossed for 14 HRs/17 steals/73 runs)
• Placido Polanco, Phillies
• David Freese, Cardinals
• Brent Morel, White Sox

Tier 4

• Danny Valencia, Twins
• Pedro Alvarez, Pirates (batting .133 in the spring—my heart breaks)
• Lonnie Chisenhall, Indians
• Daniel Murphy, Mets
• Scott Rolen, Reds
• Chone Figgins, Mariners (oh, how the mighty have fallen)
• Casey McGehee, Pirates
• Kyle Seager, Mariners (rookie could make Lawrie-like leap in 2013)
• Ian Stewart, Cubs
• Alberto Callaspo, Angels
• Brandon Inge, Tigers
• Brandon Wood, Rockies
• Ty Wigginton, Phillies
• Josh Donaldson, Athletics
• Eric Sogard, Athletics (the Cactus leader in runs—fighting for vacant opening)

Jay Clemons can be reached on Twitter, day or night, at @ATL_JayClemons.