Fantasy Baseball: Top Ten Third Baseman

Credit to Zimbio

     For years, Third Base was considered to be incredibly top heavy. However, last year showed there are a lot of great options at the front of the line, as well as there being options that range from reliable, to high upside. Without further ado, let's take a look at my top ten ranked Third Sackers.
     The following rankings will be based off of their stats from the past 3 seasons, as well as what I feel they will produce in 2015 (remember fantasy owners, you are paying for what they will give you in the future, not for what they have already done). I am also taking into account the availability of each player. Those last two factors are big reasons for why you may see some players ranked higher than others. Essentially, this list ranks the best values because in the end, what matters most is not the player you get, but the value you get out of that player. 

     1. Adrian Beltre, Rangers
          He may not like getting his head touched, but he probably has enjoyed his run as perhaps the best Third Baseman in the game. Also when you consider his home ballpark and having on base machine Shin-Soo Choo hitting ahead of him, Beltre is continuously getting better with age.
     2. Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays
          Consider this, Donaldson was able to string together a second straight season of 20+ home runs while playing in O.co Coliseum (which isn't the cavern people think it is, but it's about a neutral park). Now imagine the effect that Rodgers Centre (which has ranked as the most friendly ballpark toward right handed hitters) will have on Donaldson. He was good as it was, but now, he could be downright terrifying to opposing pitchers, and a pleasure to have for owners.
     3. Kyle Seager, Mariners
          Can we please stop calling him underrated? At this point, it's a known fact by most that Kyle Seager is indeed an elite option at Third Base. Seattle may be a nightmare for most hitters, but someone should probably tell that to Seager, who's hit at least 20 blasts in all three of his full Major League seasons. Also, Seager is likely going to have plenty of RBI opportunities batting behind Robby Cano and Nelson Cruz. I have a strong feeling that 2014 was only the beginning of what will be very productive years for Kyle Seager.
     4. Carlos Santana, Indians
          I should probably let it be known that I am a huge fan of Carlos Santana. It's because of his combination of on base skills (17.1 walk % and career mark of 15.6%) and power (.193 career ISO). I honestly think that's a very good combination to have because hitters who are considered to have a good eye at the plate are more difficult to adjust to than free swinging hitters. Add that to a reliable source of power, and you have a player that can be counted on for 25 round trips (which is becoming more and more rare nowadays), and a good supply of runs despite poor speed. Plus, Santana seemed to really tear it up in the second half, as he started to support his power with a better average.
     5. Todd Frazier, Reds
          What a breakout year for Frazier, as he may have been known as a power hitter before, but he exploded with a 29 homer year. Plus, he did that in a career high 157 games. The question is though? Will he repeat it? The simple answer could be a yes and I'll move on, but this article gives terrific reasons as for why Frazier's great 2014 is a breakout and not a career year. Don't expect the steals from Frazier because pitchers started to adjust to him on the bases, but with the home runs he'll provide you, it shouldn't really matter.
     6. Nolan Arenado, Rockies
          Same intro as what I gave Todd Frazier, but difference between the two? Arenado is younger, and is also hitting in a ballpark that is basically unfair compared to Frazier hitting in a very good, but not the best park in baseball for hitters. Arenado was limited to 111 games due to a broken finger in May, but did not miss a beat when he returned. He had a second half surge to the tune of a .238 ISO. However, he did have the typical Colorado hitter problem where his home and road splits were extreme. That may become a bit of an issue on some weeks where the Rockies are on a road trip, but I wouldn't worry about that too much.

Photo Courtesy of Fox Sports

     7. Evan Longoria, Rays
          I'm not too sure what it was that led to his uncharacteristic 2014 (.151 ISO, first time in his career he posted an ISO below .200), but I have a feeling he could bounce back. First things first, he posted a BABIP of .285, well below the .312-.313 he posted in the 2 years prior. Also, he posted a HR/FB% of 10.8, well below his career line of over 15%. What's interesting though is that there was no reports I saw of an injury or anything else that held him back, so perhaps he listened to too many people and tinkered with his swing too much. Either way, this will be a year that either cements Longo back into the top 3, or makes the back of top ten lists his new home. I'm honestly hoping it's the first one though.    
     8. Matt Carpenter, Cardinals
          What a help Matt Carpenter can be to your team next season. I guess he's ranked here primarily because Third Base really has become a deep position to a degree. However, don't let that fool you into sleeping on Carpenter, as with his on base skills and possibly batting leadoff for a strong Cardinals lineup could net you a lot of help in the runs category. Plus, his .318 BABIP was far lower than his line of .346-.359 in the two years prior. Basically, same case as Longoria, but with lower upside. Difference between them though, is that Carpenter is being taken far later (116.7 ADP for Carpenter compared to 52.8 for Longoria).
     9. Aramis Ramirez, Brewers
          Supposedly, 2015 is going to be the home stretch for Ramirez, and I have a feeling he could go out with a bang. Keep in mind that excluding 2013 he may not have missed a ton of games, but he does come down with quite a few aches and pains. When he's 100% though (or at least close to it), he is a very productive hitter. In fact, over the past ten years, he has hit under .280 only once. Add that with the fact that he is calling miller park home and has Carlos Gomez, Jonathan Lucroy and Ryan Braun hitting ahead of him should result in plentiful RBI opportunities.
    10. David Wright, Mets
          Maybe it's the whole writing on a Mets blog talking, but I genuinely think David Wright has at least one more really productive season left in him. The only problem is a matter of staying healthy (which only started to become a problem in recent years). However, if Juan Lagares and Lucas Duda can repeat their breakout performances, Wright will have plenty of RBI opportunities and also won't get pitched around. Essentially it's all about opportunities and health for Wright. If those are in his favor, he'll give you a year similar to his monster 2012.

Just Missed The Cut

     1. Pablo Sandoval, Red Sox

     2. Trevor Plouffe, Twins
          I don't think he's gonna give you his 2012 again, but Plouffe showed last season that he is a steady option that can be had at an affordable price in case you missed out on the elite Third Baseman.

Credit to ESPN

Backups Who Could Become Starters

     1. Luis Valbuena, Astros
          Mark my words, Luis Valbuena has a shot at cracking most top ten lists at Second and/or Third Base next season. I'll talk about why in a future article. 

     2. Kris Bryant, Cubs

          With how much coverage he's gotten, I wouldn't be telling you anything new. We all know that someday he could easily turn out to be a top 3 Third Baseman in the sport. 

     3. Manny Machado, Orioles

Not Even Close

     1. Josh Harrison, Pirates
          Everyone's talked about this. I'm not planning on being redundant about Josh Harrison here.