Fantasy Baseball: Top 15 Third Basemen for 2011

Third base is one of the shallowest positions, as the rankings are littered with regression risks and question marks. 

While there hasn’t been major movement in the third base rankings, there are still a few things to note as we approach the start of the season. 

Let’s take a look at how our rankings currently look:

1. Evan Longoria – Tampa Bay Rays
2. David Wright – New York Mets
3. Ryan Zimmerman – Washington Nationals
4. Alex Rodriguez – New York Yankees
5. Jose Bautista – Toronto Blue Jays
6. Adrian Beltre – Texas Rangers
7. Pedro Alvarez – Pittsburgh Pirates
8. Martin Prado – Atlanta Braves
9. Michael Young – Texas Rangers
10. Aramis Ramirez – Chicago Cubs
11. Pablo Sandoval – San Francisco Giants
12. Mark Reynolds – Baltimore Orioles
13. Casey McGehee – Milwaukee Brewers
14. Placido Polanco – Philadelphia Phillies
15. Juan Uribe – Los Angeles Dodgers

Thoughts:

• Kevin Youkilis is not on these rankings, only because he will not be eligible at 3B on draft day.  It’s not going to take long, however, so he obviously is worth considering.  If he was eligible, he’d come in fifth, so draft him accordingly.
• Michael Young’s spot on the rankings is tenuous, at best.  He’s going to see time at 1B (Mitch Moreland), 3B (Adrian Beltre) and DH (Mike Napoli), but exactly how much time is anyone’s guess.  Should he get traded, things would look significantly differently.  At this point, however, I wouldn’t blame anyone for bypassing him altogether.
• Can Mark Reynolds rediscover his old form in Baltimore?  He’s likely going to be a great source of power, but he’s still going to bring a subpar average with him.  To me, he’s a borderline option.  Make sure to check out my projection for him by clicking here.
• Part of me is still on the fence on who the No. 2 option should be, David Wright or Ryan Zimmerman.  Wright’s speed gives him a slight edge, but people would be viewing Zimmerman a lot differently if he had not missed time due to injury in ’10.  Don’t be surprised if he goes .300/30/100/100 in ’11.
• Even with expected regressions from Jose Bautista and Adrian Beltre, they are still among the better options at the position.  That says a lot about the depth and question marks filling these rankings, doesn’t it?
• Are you a believer in Pablo Sandoval’s weight loss, helping to lead to a resurgence?  Time will certainly tell.

**** Make sure to order your copy of the Rotoprofessor 2011 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, selling for just $5, by clicking here. ****

Make sure to check out our 2011 rankings:

• Top 15 Catchers
• Top 15 First Basemen
• Top 15 Second Basemen
• Top 15 Shortstops
• Top 30 Outfielders
• Top 30 Starting Pitchers
• Top 15 Closers

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