2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Third Base

In our fourth rankings series of the year, we’ll look at third basemen:

2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings Legalese, etc.

Each of these rankings will follow the same format. We’ll review the top performers at the position in 2014 and 2013, then reveal rankings based on a tier system. We’ll discuss the position in general and the trends of the position. Lastly, I’ll discuss where the Braves player at the position would rank. To qualify at a position, a player must have 15 games played at the position in 2014. I’ll mention any other positions a player will qualify for as well.

Top Fantasy Third Basemen 2014/2013

2014 top 10 (in order): Miguel Cabrera, Anthony Rendon, Todd Frazier, Adrian Beltre, Josh Donaldson, Josh Harrison, Kyle Seager, Evan Longoria, Daniel Murphy, Pablo Sandoval, Carlos Santana, Matt Carpenter, Nolan Arenado, Aramis Ramirez, Casey McGehee
2013 top 10 (in order): Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Beltre, Edwin Encarnacion, Matt Carpenter, Josh Donaldson, Evan Longoria, David Wright, Hanley Ramirez, Ryan Zimmerman, Manny Machado, Pedro Alvarez, Kyle Seager, Martin Prado, Chris Johnson, Pablo Sandoval

2015 Third Base: Tier One

Josh Donaldson, Toronto – Consistent top-5 performer moving to one of the better offensive environments in baseball.
Adrian Beltre, Texas – Elite production year-in, year-out.

2015 Third Base: Tier Two

Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay – Much less around him now, but when healthy, he is an elite performer.
David Wright, New York Mets – Struggled with health in 2014, but solid production when he’s healthy.
Matt Carpenter, St. Louis – No longer eligible at 2B. Elite in 2013, but still solid in 2014.
Nolan Arenado, Colorado – Came on more and more as the season went on.  Could be primed for a large jump.
Todd Frazier, Cincinnati – Also eligible at 1B. Last year’s high-end production was no fluke.
Carlos Santana, Cleveland – Also eligible at 1B. No longer has catcher eligibility, but has solid on base and power.
Kyle Seager, Seattle – Made the leap to a top-end third baseman last year.  May be where he settles, or he may have yet one more level to jump in his tool set.

2015 Third Base: Tier Three

Pablo Sandoval, Boston – Will probably pound the Green Monster, but doubles don’t really help fantasy owners, so don’t buy too heavy into increased offensive hype.
Aramis Ramirez, Milwaukee – As he’s aged, he is injured more frequently, but when healthy, he’s excellent.
Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs – Toughest hitter to rank this year.  Could come out and immediately hit 30 home runs or could show a need for another AAA year.
Ryan Zimmerman, Washington – Also eligible at OF. This should be his last year at 3B, so enjoy it while you can.

2015 Third Base: Tier Four

Brett Lawrie, Oakland – Also eligible at 2B. When he can stay healthy, he’s a 20/20 threat. Beane doesn’t miss often, so keep a close eye on him.
Chase Headley, New York Yankees – Basically the same player as Pablo Sandoval without the hype.
Manny Machado, Baltimore – Has shown elite offensive ability when healthy, but no one is sure when (or if) he’ll be back to 100%.
Pedro Alvarez, Pittsburgh – Likely moving across the infield to 1B this year where his offense will play better.
Martin Prado, Miami – Also eligible at 2B. Not going to hit 20 home runs or steal 20, but usually gives solid contributions along with a good average.
Nick Castellanos, Detroit – Major streaks last year.  If he can level the down swings better, he will leap up this year.

2015 Third Base: Tier Five

Lonnie Chisenhall, Cleveland – Nothing special offensively, but won’t hurt you.  Santana may eat into his playing time.
Trevor Plouffe, Minnesota – Power and medium average holding the spot until Miguel Sano comes up.
Matt Dominguez, Houston – Excellent defender with solid power, but his playing time may be cut into with the recent acquisition of Luis Valbuena.
Mike Moustakas, Kansas City – Bad enough at times last year to merit a demotion to the minors. Still flashes the talent that made him an elite prospect. If he can just harness it…

2015 Third Base: Braves Fantasy Review

Chris Johnson signed a fairly expensive extension for his skillset last offseason, so he’s likely to be a Brave through the end of that deal, but with guys like Dustin Peterson and Rio Ruiz pushing from the minors and the option of playing utility guys like Alberto Callaspo, Jace Peterson, or Phil Gosselin at 3B, CuJo may not be long for the team.  I currently have him ranked as the #28 third baseman, and I think a reasonable projection for his 2015 would be somewhere between his 2013 and 2014, much like his 2012 season where he went .281/.326/.451 with 15 homers and 124 R+RBI in roughly 3/4 of a season of plate appearances.  Johnson has proven healthy over his last couple years, but if he comes out hitting like 2013, don’t be surprised if the Braves move him to maximize his value at that point.

2015 Third Base: Position Review

Third base may have the best depth of any position, considering you only need one 3B on most teams.  Guys in the fourth tier could certainly have value, but they’re not even starters in many leagues.  I am very intrigued to watch what Kris Bryant does this year with the Cubs, and I would keep an eye on Arizona as Yasmany Tomas may begin the season at the hot corner.  If he does, I would slot him in the middle of the fourth tier currently until we see him on the field.  If Jake Lamb forces the point in Arizona, he could move Tomas to the outfield with his solid defense and very good power in Arizona.  I’d also keep an eye out in Texas as Adrian Beltre enters his final year in Texas and could be a major trade chip in July with the minor leagues’ best power prospect in Joey Gallo waiting in the wings.