Third base is one of the shallowest positions in fantasy sports. While the position is going to get an influx in the NL (once Hanley Ramirez gains eligibility), it definitely is rather top heavy. After the first four names come off the board, there is a lot of risk (though also potential reward). Let’s take a look at how things currently stand:
- David Wright – New York Mets
- Ryan Zimmerman – Washington Nationals
- Pablo Sandoval – San Francisco Giants
- Aramis Ramirez – Milwaukee Brewers
- Emilio Bonifacio – Miami Marlins
- Ryan Roberts – Arizona Diamondbacks
- Martin Prado – Atlanta Braves
- Mat Gamel – Milwaukee Brewers
- Casey McGehee – Pittsburgh Pirates
- David Freese – St. Louis Cardinals
- Daniel Murphy – New York Mets
- Chase Headley – San Diego Padres
Thoughts:
- I am not the biggest fan of Emilio Bonifacio this season, especially now that he’ll be hitting in the second spot in the order. That said, National League third basemen are extremely weak or risky. Given the other options, I’d still be willing to roll the dice on him.
- Mat Gamel is a player that everyone should be paying close attention to. It appears that he is going to be asked to fill in for Prince Fielder at first base, but he’ll have eligibility at third base for one more season. We all know he has pop (28 HR in 493 AB at Triple-A in ’11), but he needs to make consistent contact in order to thrive. At Triple-A in ’11 he was at 15.4%, a great sign considering his history. While it’s not a lock, if he can keep it around 20% he really could post a great season for those looking to take a gamble.
- Will David Wright have the type of season that fantasy owners need? Is his back going to cause him long-term issues? There is no questioning that there’s risk, but he has the highest upside among NL 3B. We have to hope that the changes in the dimensions to CitiField will help him return to the numbers he is capable of.
- Can Ryan Zimmerman stay healthy? If he could the numbers should be impressive. The last time he had over 600 AB (2009) he hit .292 with 33 HR, 106 RBI and 110 R. Of course, he’s had over 550 AB just once in the past four seasons, so you have to take that into account. Otherwise, he’d probably be the top option.
***** Order the Rotoprofessor 2012 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, complete with updates from January through the start of the season, for just $6! As an added bonus, if you purchase by 3/15 you will be entered to win a Michael Pineda autographed baseball! To place your order click here. *****
Make sure to check out all of our 2012 rankings:
- Catchers
- First Basemen
- Second Basemen
- Third Basemen
- Shortstops
- Outfielders: 1-20 | 21-40
- Starting Pitchers: 1-20 | 21-40 | 41-60
- Closers
Thoughts on Ian Stewart for this year? He seems to be in the best possible situation for him.
The main issue is the strikeouts, so I wouldn’t consider him a tremendous option or risk. There’s upside, but it also wouldn’t surprise me if we saw Josh Vitters getting an opportunity by July or August.
Sorry fellas-
Ian Stewart is dead to me. If he was going to do something he would have done it by now. Add him to the Garret Atkins file.
Prof-
I can’t, for the life of me, figure out why you don’t like Emilio? Sure, maybe not at second base, but his speed alone makes him worth owning. If you get that kind of speed at third, you can counter that by adding power at second base or SS. Think JJ Hardy and the such.
Did you have an article pertaining to why you are down on the Bon Mon?
-The Doctor
Bonifacio worries me hitting in the second spot. He’s not going to score as many runs and may be forced to give himself up more, meaning not as much time on base (and not as many SB attempts).
Throw in a .372 BABIP and 20.1% strikeout rate (not ideal for a leadoff type), and there is enough reasons for me to be skeptical this year.