2019 Fantasy Baseball Rankings - Top 30 Third Basemen
2019 Fantasy Baseball Rankings - Top 30 Third Basemen
Third base remains a top-heavy position, with elite talents like Bryant, Ramirez, Arenado and Bregman at the top of the ranks. But it also includes some veteran bounce-back options (Donaldson), flashy young stars (Vlad Jr), as well as post-hype sleepers (Devers). Similar to first base, third base is a position where speed is scarce, with only Ramirez and Baez eclipsing the 20 SB mark in 2018. I like to target power at the hot corner.
- Triple slash: AVG/OBP/SLG
- BB%
- K%
- wRC+
- wOBA
- Exit Velocity
- FB%
- GB%
- HR/FB
- ISO
- Ballpark Factors
- Lineup & Lineup Slot
Third base remains a top-heavy position, with elite talents like Bryant, Ramirez, Arenado and Bregman at the top of the ranks. But it also includes some veteran bounce-back options (Donaldson), flashy young stars (Vlad Jr), as well as post-hype sleepers (Devers). Similar to first base, third base is a position where speed is scarce, with only Ramirez and Baez eclipsing the 20 SB mark in 2018. I like to target power at the hot corner.
- Triple slash: AVG/OBP/SLG
- BB%
- K%
- wRC+
- wOBA
- Exit Velocity
- FB%
- GB%
- HR/FB
- ISO
- Ballpark Factors
- Lineup & Lineup Slot
- Motivation for Bounce back
- Top Prospect Pedigree
DISCLAIMER: One of the issues I have with some fantasy writers is that they tend to rank players in a similar range in order to take the safer option, particularly players in the upper-to-elite tiers. My rankings are different because some players are ranked much higher than their ADPs. I base them entirely on my own criteria of statistics as well as my personal intuition, which has led me to several years of success in fantasy sports. Here you will find players grouped into tiers along with tidbits of useful information. Keep in mind that these rankings are for OBP leagues. Hopefully they stimulate discussion and debate. I hope you enjoy them.
Tier 1 - Surprise at the Top
1. Kris Bryant
2. Jose Ramirez
3. Nolan Arenado
4. Alex Bregman
Bryant is coming off of a down season due to a shoulder injury. He is only two years removed from an MVP season where he put up .292/.385/.554 with 39 HRs, 102 RBI, and 8 SBs. He combines solid plate discipline with power and some speed. I think that he is one of the most talented players in MLB - we have not seen his best yet. He is going to bounce back in a big way and his #1 ranking shows how high I am on him this year. Ramirez was a monster in 2018, combining elite plate discipline (15.2 BB%), with strong power (.282 ISO) and speed (34 SBs). However, his 2nd half was concerning - he slashed .218/.366/.427 after the All-Star Break. At the same time, he is still the top option here - we just need to temper expectations, since 2018 might be his career year. While the power & speed may decline, he has room to improve his AVG - his BABIP was only .252 last season, suggesting room for growth. Arenado is as consistent as they come, but he is more valuable in AVG leagues, as he does not have the same walk rate as Ramirez or Bryant. He has the benefit of playing in Coors Field. One concerning stat: his FB% fell from 44.9 to 38.8. It's tough to maintain the type of consistency that Arenado has shown in his career, with his clean injury history and strong production. I think this is the year that someone else takes over as best fantasy 3B. Bregman broke out in a big way in 2018, slashing .286/.394/.532 with 31 HRs, 103 RBI, and 10 SBs. He walked more than he struck out in 2018 - this kind of plate discipline bodes well for the future. Bregman is an elite bat and belongs in the top tier. It would not surprise me to see him put up the most valuable season at 3B in 2019.
Tier 2 - Underrated & Overrated
5. Anthony Rendon
6. Manny Machado
Rendon is one of the most underrated players in baseball. In 2019, he put up a 140 wRC+, good for 10th best in MLB. He slashed .308/.374/.535 with 24 HRs in 136 games. With the departure of Harper, the Nationals need Rendon to stay healthy. I think he will step up and put together a career year in 2019. He's another player that has his best baseball ahead of him. Machado had a great 2018, slashing .297/.367/.538 with 37 HRs. However, he was not the same player in LA, as he struggled a bit to adjust to the NL, slashing .273/.338/.487. He'll now hit in a pitcher's park in San Diego. I think that we can expect a bit of a down year for Machado. He will still be among the best at his position, but I'll put him in the tier below elite for 2019.
Tier 3 - Stable vs. Flashy
7. Matt Carpenter
8. Javier Baez
Carpenter had a career year in 2018, where he hit 36 HRs and posted a .374 OBP. The Cardinals added Paul Goldschmidt, which should only benefit Carpenter's counting stats. Carpenter's OBP has never been below .360 throughout his career. This kind of consistency with plate discipline gives the veteran 2B a higher floor. Baez finally put it together last year, hitting 30+ HRs and stealing 20+ bases. But he's still a free-swinger (4.5 BB%), which lowers his floor in OBP leagues. His career high in OBP is .326. He definitely has higher upside than Carpenter, but that comes with increased risk.
Tier 4 - Future Blue Jay Star vs. Former Blue Jay Star
9. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
10. Josh Donaldson
Guerrero Jr. is currently nursing an oblique injury, but he was going to miss the first three weeks of the season anyway. This is one of the most advanced hitters we've seen come out of the minor leagues in a long time. Vlad Jr. has tore up every level of competition. His 11.7 BB% vs. 7.8 K% in Triple A shows just how advanced he is at the tender age of 19. He will likely tear up the league right when he is called up. He's ranked a bit lower due to his weaker lineup as well as the fact that he will start the year in the minors. Donaldson has been plagued by injuries the past two seasons. But he's a former MVP who was traded away for nothing. He then had to sign a one-year deal to prove that he still has something left in the tank. This is a highly motivated player that is only one-year removed from a season where he hit 33 HRs in only 113 games. His walk rate is among the league's best, which bumps in up in OBP leagues. He also hits in a very good Braves' lineup that features young superstar Ronald Acuna. Look for a big year out of Donaldson, the only question is health.
Tier 5 - High Floor Options
11. Eugenio Suarez
12. Justin Turner
13. Matt Chapman
Suarez slashed .283/.366/.526 with 34 HRs in a career year in 2018. He has improved in every year of his big-league career. The Reds' lineup is much-improved with the addition of Yasiel Puig and the likely return to form for Joey Votto. Suarez looks like a safe option if you don't want to take a risk on a flashy rookie or injury-prone veteran ranked above him. Turner had an injury-plagued 2018, but he was still able to put up .312/.406/.518 in 103 games. He doesn't have the same power as the players ranked above him, but while he's on the field he will be an elite source of OBP hitting in the heart of a solid Dodgers' lineup. Chapman continues to improve as a hitter, slashing .278/.356/.508 in 2018, with a career-high 24 HRs. His elite glove will keep him in the lineup even when he is struggling at the plate. This is another player that looks poised for a breakout. He can easily improve his numbers to .370 OBP with 30 HRs. Chapman looks like another solid option at the hot corner.
Tier 6 - The Best of the Rest
14. Travis Shaw
15. Max Muncy
16. Yoan Moncada
17. Mike Moustakas
18. Wil Myers
19. Miguel Andujar
20. Rafael Devers
Shaw has put up 30+ HRs in consecutive seasons. Last year, he raised his BB% from 9.9% to 13.3%. He hits in a strong Brewers' lineup and is a safe option at 3B. Muncy came out of nowhere to hit 35 HRs with a .319 ISO in only 137 games. His BB% of 16.4% is also highly encouraging. He is a bit lower on this list simply because his 2018 season was so unexpected. Moncada is a strong post-hype target. He has a much lower floor than those ranked above him, but this is a guy who once was the consensus number 1 prospect in baseball. His 10.3 BB% shows strong plate discipline; he just needs to strikeout less. He is also moving to his natural position of 3B, which should make him more comfortable and allow him to focus more on his offense. Moustakas gets a full season in Milwaukee, where he will hit in one of the best ballparks for lefties. He also has the benefit of being in a great lineup. Moose is lower on this list due to his weaker plate discipline: His OBP has not exceeded .315 in the last 3 seasons. Myers has struggled to stay healthy in 2018, playing only 83 games. But he has high upside in HR/SB, hitting 25+ HRs and stealing 25+ bases in 2016 and 2017. He is lower on this list due to his poor plate discipline: his OBP has not exceeded .336 in San Diego. Andujar had a promising rookie year, where he slashed .297/.328/.527 with 27 HRs. While he hits in an elite Yankees' lineup, Andujar has poor plate discipline (4.1 BB%), which keeps him lower on this list. Devers is a nice post-hype target, similar to Moncada. He showed solid power last year, hitting 21 HRs in his first full season. He needs to improve on his low .298 OBP. Entering his age-22 season, Devers has a low floor but a high upside, hitting in an elite lineup. If he can get hot and move up in the order, you could have fantasy gold in the later rounds.
Tier 7 - Versatile Options mixed with Bounce-Backs and Solid Vets
21. Carlos Santana
22. Jurickson Profar
23. Jake Lamb
24. Ian Happ
Santana is back in his old stomping grounds in Cleveland. He has always shown strong plate discipline, with a .350+ OBP every year of his career. He's a safe option that should have no trouble providing 25 HRs with solid OBP. Profar is a post-hype target who finally put together a good season last year. He now has a stable role in Oakland after years of fighting for a starting job and moving positions. He will be more comfortable; I think he will continue to improve in 2019. He's only lower on this list due to a worse track record than those ranked above. Lamb is only one year removed from a .248/.357/.487 season where he hit 30 HRs. He's a solid power hitter with plate discipline. He looks like a strong bounce-back target for 2019. Happ has prospect pedigree and intriguing plate disciple (15.3 BB%). He needs to secure a full-time role in a crowded Cubs' lineup. If he can do that, you're looking at a potential steal who can hit 30 HRs with .330+ OBP (even higher if he can get that AVG up .250). He'll need to cut down that poor strikeout rate of 36.1%
Tier 8 - Better Suited As Bench Bats
25. Jed Lowrie
26. Eduardo Escobar
27. Maikel Franco
28. Kyle Seager
29. Miguel Sano
30. Niko Goodrum
Lowrie had a solid year in 2018, slashing .267/.353/.448 with 23 HRs and 99 RBI. He's a big injury risk though and he's already banged up this Spring. 2018 also looks like his absolute ceiling, so the lack of flash makes him unappealing. Escobar is a nice bench bat because he is also eligible at SS. He slashed .272/.334/.489 in 2018. He has an opportunity to improve on his numbers with a full season in Arizona. Franco has intriguing power and hits in a very good Phillies' lineup. He needs to improve on his plate discipline. He's ahead of Seager and Sano because he's currently healthy. Seager is currently injured, requiring surgery on his left hand that will keep him out of April. He was a consistent contributor before a poor 2018, so it's possible he can return to his 25+ HR form. Sano is only one year removed from a 28 HR season. He has solid plate discipline (11.2 BB% in 2017), but he strikes out way too much (38.5% in 2018). He's also currently injured, expected back in May, so he's best left on the wire. Keep an eye on him, though. Goodrum is eligible at every position in Yahoo leagues, making him a valuable bench hitter. He showed solid HR/SB upside with 16 HRs and 12 SBs, but with limited plate discipline: .315 OBP. He's hitting well this Spring, which is always a positive sign.
Honourable Mentions
Nick Senzel
Senzel is a top prospect, but there's no room for him right now in the Reds' lineup. If he were to be called up, he would be a priority add.
- Top Prospect Pedigree
DISCLAIMER: One of the issues I have with some fantasy writers is that they tend to rank players in a similar range in order to take the safer option, particularly players in the upper-to-elite tiers. My rankings are different because some players are ranked much higher than their ADPs. I base them entirely on my own criteria of statistics as well as my personal intuition, which has led me to several years of success in fantasy sports. Here you will find players grouped into tiers along with tidbits of useful information. Keep in mind that these rankings are for OBP leagues. Hopefully they stimulate discussion and debate. I hope you enjoy them.
Tier 1 - Surprise at the Top
1. Kris Bryant
2. Jose Ramirez
3. Nolan Arenado
4. Alex Bregman
Bryant is coming off of a down season due to a shoulder injury. He is only two years removed from an MVP season where he put up .292/.385/.554 with 39 HRs, 102 RBI, and 8 SBs. He combines solid plate discipline with power and some speed. I think that he is one of the most talented players in MLB - we have not seen his best yet. He is going to bounce back in a big way and his #1 ranking shows how high I am on him this year. Ramirez was a monster in 2018, combining elite plate discipline (15.2 BB%), with strong power (.282 ISO) and speed (34 SBs). However, his 2nd half was concerning - he slashed .218/.366/.427 after the All-Star Break. At the same time, he is still the top option here - we just need to temper expectations, since 2018 might be his career year. While the power & speed may decline, he has room to improve his AVG - his BABIP was only .252 last season, suggesting room for growth. Arenado is as consistent as they come, but he is more valuable in AVG leagues, as he does not have the same walk rate as Ramirez or Bryant. He has the benefit of playing in Coors Field. One concerning stat: his FB% fell from 44.9 to 38.8. It's tough to maintain the type of consistency that Arenado has shown in his career, with his clean injury history and strong production. I think this is the year that someone else takes over as best fantasy 3B. Bregman broke out in a big way in 2018, slashing .286/.394/.532 with 31 HRs, 103 RBI, and 10 SBs. He walked more than he struck out in 2018 - this kind of plate discipline bodes well for the future. Bregman is an elite bat and belongs in the top tier. It would not surprise me to see him put up the most valuable season at 3B in 2019.
Tier 2 - Underrated & Overrated
5. Anthony Rendon
6. Manny Machado
Rendon is one of the most underrated players in baseball. In 2019, he put up a 140 wRC+, good for 10th best in MLB. He slashed .308/.374/.535 with 24 HRs in 136 games. With the departure of Harper, the Nationals need Rendon to stay healthy. I think he will step up and put together a career year in 2019. He's another player that has his best baseball ahead of him. Machado had a great 2018, slashing .297/.367/.538 with 37 HRs. However, he was not the same player in LA, as he struggled a bit to adjust to the NL, slashing .273/.338/.487. He'll now hit in a pitcher's park in San Diego. I think that we can expect a bit of a down year for Machado. He will still be among the best at his position, but I'll put him in the tier below elite for 2019.
Tier 3 - Stable vs. Flashy
7. Matt Carpenter
8. Javier Baez
Carpenter had a career year in 2018, where he hit 36 HRs and posted a .374 OBP. The Cardinals added Paul Goldschmidt, which should only benefit Carpenter's counting stats. Carpenter's OBP has never been below .360 throughout his career. This kind of consistency with plate discipline gives the veteran 2B a higher floor. Baez finally put it together last year, hitting 30+ HRs and stealing 20+ bases. But he's still a free-swinger (4.5 BB%), which lowers his floor in OBP leagues. His career high in OBP is .326. He definitely has higher upside than Carpenter, but that comes with increased risk.
Tier 4 - Future Blue Jay Star vs. Former Blue Jay Star
9. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
10. Josh Donaldson
Guerrero Jr. is currently nursing an oblique injury, but he was going to miss the first three weeks of the season anyway. This is one of the most advanced hitters we've seen come out of the minor leagues in a long time. Vlad Jr. has tore up every level of competition. His 11.7 BB% vs. 7.8 K% in Triple A shows just how advanced he is at the tender age of 19. He will likely tear up the league right when he is called up. He's ranked a bit lower due to his weaker lineup as well as the fact that he will start the year in the minors. Donaldson has been plagued by injuries the past two seasons. But he's a former MVP who was traded away for nothing. He then had to sign a one-year deal to prove that he still has something left in the tank. This is a highly motivated player that is only one-year removed from a season where he hit 33 HRs in only 113 games. His walk rate is among the league's best, which bumps in up in OBP leagues. He also hits in a very good Braves' lineup that features young superstar Ronald Acuna. Look for a big year out of Donaldson, the only question is health.
Tier 5 - High Floor Options
11. Eugenio Suarez
12. Justin Turner
13. Matt Chapman
Suarez slashed .283/.366/.526 with 34 HRs in a career year in 2018. He has improved in every year of his big-league career. The Reds' lineup is much-improved with the addition of Yasiel Puig and the likely return to form for Joey Votto. Suarez looks like a safe option if you don't want to take a risk on a flashy rookie or injury-prone veteran ranked above him. Turner had an injury-plagued 2018, but he was still able to put up .312/.406/.518 in 103 games. He doesn't have the same power as the players ranked above him, but while he's on the field he will be an elite source of OBP hitting in the heart of a solid Dodgers' lineup. Chapman continues to improve as a hitter, slashing .278/.356/.508 in 2018, with a career-high 24 HRs. His elite glove will keep him in the lineup even when he is struggling at the plate. This is another player that looks poised for a breakout. He can easily improve his numbers to .370 OBP with 30 HRs. Chapman looks like another solid option at the hot corner.
Tier 6 - The Best of the Rest
14. Travis Shaw
15. Max Muncy
16. Yoan Moncada
17. Mike Moustakas
18. Wil Myers
19. Miguel Andujar
20. Rafael Devers
Shaw has put up 30+ HRs in consecutive seasons. Last year, he raised his BB% from 9.9% to 13.3%. He hits in a strong Brewers' lineup and is a safe option at 3B. Muncy came out of nowhere to hit 35 HRs with a .319 ISO in only 137 games. His BB% of 16.4% is also highly encouraging. He is a bit lower on this list simply because his 2018 season was so unexpected. Moncada is a strong post-hype target. He has a much lower floor than those ranked above him, but this is a guy who once was the consensus number 1 prospect in baseball. His 10.3 BB% shows strong plate discipline; he just needs to strikeout less. He is also moving to his natural position of 3B, which should make him more comfortable and allow him to focus more on his offense. Moustakas gets a full season in Milwaukee, where he will hit in one of the best ballparks for lefties. He also has the benefit of being in a great lineup. Moose is lower on this list due to his weaker plate discipline: His OBP has not exceeded .315 in the last 3 seasons. Myers has struggled to stay healthy in 2018, playing only 83 games. But he has high upside in HR/SB, hitting 25+ HRs and stealing 25+ bases in 2016 and 2017. He is lower on this list due to his poor plate discipline: his OBP has not exceeded .336 in San Diego. Andujar had a promising rookie year, where he slashed .297/.328/.527 with 27 HRs. While he hits in an elite Yankees' lineup, Andujar has poor plate discipline (4.1 BB%), which keeps him lower on this list. Devers is a nice post-hype target, similar to Moncada. He showed solid power last year, hitting 21 HRs in his first full season. He needs to improve on his low .298 OBP. Entering his age-22 season, Devers has a low floor but a high upside, hitting in an elite lineup. If he can get hot and move up in the order, you could have fantasy gold in the later rounds.
Tier 7 - Versatile Options mixed with Bounce-Backs and Solid Vets
21. Carlos Santana
22. Jurickson Profar
23. Jake Lamb
24. Ian Happ
Santana is back in his old stomping grounds in Cleveland. He has always shown strong plate discipline, with a .350+ OBP every year of his career. He's a safe option that should have no trouble providing 25 HRs with solid OBP. Profar is a post-hype target who finally put together a good season last year. He now has a stable role in Oakland after years of fighting for a starting job and moving positions. He will be more comfortable; I think he will continue to improve in 2019. He's only lower on this list due to a worse track record than those ranked above. Lamb is only one year removed from a .248/.357/.487 season where he hit 30 HRs. He's a solid power hitter with plate discipline. He looks like a strong bounce-back target for 2019. Happ has prospect pedigree and intriguing plate disciple (15.3 BB%). He needs to secure a full-time role in a crowded Cubs' lineup. If he can do that, you're looking at a potential steal who can hit 30 HRs with .330+ OBP (even higher if he can get that AVG up .250). He'll need to cut down that poor strikeout rate of 36.1%
Tier 8 - Better Suited As Bench Bats
25. Jed Lowrie
26. Eduardo Escobar
27. Maikel Franco
28. Kyle Seager
29. Miguel Sano
30. Niko Goodrum
Lowrie had a solid year in 2018, slashing .267/.353/.448 with 23 HRs and 99 RBI. He's a big injury risk though and he's already banged up this Spring. 2018 also looks like his absolute ceiling, so the lack of flash makes him unappealing. Escobar is a nice bench bat because he is also eligible at SS. He slashed .272/.334/.489 in 2018. He has an opportunity to improve on his numbers with a full season in Arizona. Franco has intriguing power and hits in a very good Phillies' lineup. He needs to improve on his plate discipline. He's ahead of Seager and Sano because he's currently healthy. Seager is currently injured, requiring surgery on his left hand that will keep him out of April. He was a consistent contributor before a poor 2018, so it's possible he can return to his 25+ HR form. Sano is only one year removed from a 28 HR season. He has solid plate discipline (11.2 BB% in 2017), but he strikes out way too much (38.5% in 2018). He's also currently injured, expected back in May, so he's best left on the wire. Keep an eye on him, though. Goodrum is eligible at every position in Yahoo leagues, making him a valuable bench hitter. He showed solid HR/SB upside with 16 HRs and 12 SBs, but with limited plate discipline: .315 OBP. He's hitting well this Spring, which is always a positive sign.
Honourable Mentions
Nick Senzel
Senzel is a top prospect, but there's no room for him right now in the Reds' lineup. If he were to be called up, he would be a priority add.
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