Fantasy Baseball Prep Week: 3B, Dominate the Hot Corner
- iAmMizz!
- Mar 12, 2020
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 13, 2020
Baseball's "hot corner" has always been a quality fantasy position, and it should remain that way in 2020. One thing I will say is that while the number of above-average third basemen is high, the depth is more comparable to 1B than it is 2B. Still, 3B has plenty of talent to go around. Here are my thoughts on who you should go after this season.
Format: Using projected ESPN Fantasy (points) ranks, I'll list each position's notable players and highlight sleepers and busts (in relation to their draft stock). Projected points are based on settings used in a league I have been a part of for 10+ years, and do not always correlate:
Single- 2, Double- 5, Triple- 15, Homer- 10 (plus RBI/Run Scored)
Run Scored- 3, RBI- 5, Walk - 2, Stolen Base- 3
(NEGATIVES) Strikeout- 2, Caught Stealing- 2, GIDP- 5
*Eligible but non-primary third basemen will be listed at the bottom of this article, and discussed in more detail during their own primary position write-up.
TIER 1
**Key- Position Rank/Overall Rank. Player Name, Team (projected points)
1/10. Alex Bregman, Astros (544): (LIKE) If you've read my other articles you'd know that I'm concerned about regression from Astros players after their scandal, but I have less questions about Bregman's ability than the others. In fact, I think he'll come out like he was shot out of a canon, aiming to show just how good he is... also SS eligible.
2/12. Nolan Arenado, Rockies (543): (UNSURE) Let me be clear, normally I love Arenado. He's been one of my keepers in a league basically since he first entered the MLB, and will continue to be going forward. Few players are as consistent. Having said that, if you re-draft every season, I might avoid him this year. Nolan is in a tense situation in Colorado, he agreed to re-sign long-term under an ownership guarantee that the Rockies would be active in free agency. Ironically, they may have been the least active team in baseball, so one could see why the star is so enraged. As we approach the season (which may be delayed now), Arenado is still a Rockie. I don't necessarily foresee a hold out or anything of that sort (this isn't the NFL), but Nolan's lack of interest might negatively affect his play if Colorado is nowhere near the playoffs again. The opposite could also happen, and he could try and play his way into a trade scenario... or nothing could change. This one is at your own risk.
3/17. Rafael Devers, Red Sox (480): (LIKE) Devers broke out last season with over 1,650 total points, and an average that ranked third for this position (behind Rendon and Bregman). People forget that Devers is only 23 years old. Right now the sky's the limit for the Red Sox slugger.
4/21. Anthony Rendon, Angels (530): (DISLIKE) Anthony Rendon is coming off a career season in a contract year. We'll put it this way, he was very motivated to play well in 2019. Now he's been paid out boatloads of cash and believe what you want, but I believe he'll be less motivated to succeed in 2020. I'm not saying don't draft Rendon, but don't expect his 2019 stats to repeat either.
5/22. Jose Ramirez, Indians (492): (DISLIKE) Ramirez is a player that always sketches me out, maybe because he seemed to come out of nowhere and dominate the league at the height of the Indians success, then regress since then. Ramirez performed poorly most of 2019, then eventually turned it around towards the end. Maybe it's a personal bias, but I can't trust him to be a tier one talent and there are guys below him that I would rather have.
TIER 2
6/38. Manny Machado, Padres (412): (BUST) Manny averaged an unexceptional 6.9 PPG last season, which is more common than not during his fantasy career (especially post-Camden Yards). His SS eligibility used to provide value but now that the shortstop position has become stacked, it becomes less notable.
7/43. Kris Bryant, Cubs (417): (SLEEPER) As always, I'm using the term sleeper relatively, to say which guys I like in 2020, I know Bryant isn't actually a sleeper. The IF/OF eligibility is huge for me (3B/LF/RF), and Bryant still has a ton of potential! He has been disrespected by his own franchise the last couple years, dangled as trade bait multiple times, but KB has continued to be his own hype-man posting solid numbers for the Cubbies.
8/62. Eugenio Suarez, Reds (398): (NEITHER) Be aware that Suarez is basically a home run or strike out most at bats, leading to a more average output than 49 HR's would lead you to believe. EDIT- Home run hitters could be more important in 2020 now that it is a 60-game season, switching Suarez to a player I LIKE this go around.
9/70. Matt Chapman, Athletics (445): (SLEEPER) Chapman's output has steadily increased over his three years in the league. At his age, there's no reason to think his fourth year will be any different.
11/87. Vlad Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays (393): (SLEEPER) This is an easy one, but you have to assume Vlad Jr. will improve on his 2019 pace of 15 homers and 69 RBI, so how high is his ceiling?
13/92. Yoan Moncada, White Sox (334): (EDIT: UNSURE) Previously had Moncada as another sleeper talent here but now looking at it, I just like the 3B's around him in the ranks much more. Strikes out too much compared to the consistency of the other players with his draft status.
14/94. Mike Moustakas, Reds (408) (SLEEPER) This tier 2 is loaded with talent. Moose is another sturdy middle option that has dual eligibility, not to mention he's also playing in hitter-friendly Cincinnati now (3B/2B).
15/98. Josh Donaldson, Twins (428): (SLEEPER) I hated Donaldson going into last year and normally I stay away from players coming off a contract year where they just got paid big money. For some reason though, I think Donaldson is going to have at least one monster season for Minnesota, the team's mentality just aligns perfectly with his style of play. Love this fit.
16/99. Jeff McNeil, Mets (437): (SLEEPER) Jeff McNeil does two things, plays a million positions (3B/LF/2B/RF eligible) and bats over .300. This guy has cemented himself in the Mets lineup and he should be cemented in yours as well.
17/107. Miguel Sano, Twins (368): (UNSURE) Sano tested positive for covid, out indefinitely.
18/118. Eduardo Escobar, Diamondbacks (461): (SLEEPER) Escobar would be classified as a late bloomer if you studied his tenure in the MLB, but his best season yet was in Arizona last year. Batting in this known hitter's park again, I like Escobar at this value... also 2B eligible.
20/137. Justin Turner, Dodgers (376)
TIER 3
22/157. Brian Anderson, Marlins (298) [RF Eligible, IF/OF]
24/187. Tommy Edman, Cardinals (376): (WATCH LIST) Edman is a utility man (3B/2B eligibility now and eventually should add LF) in a crowded lineup, so a projected total this high is a bit lofty, unless he becomes the Redbirds version of Jeff McNeil and hits his way into the lineup every day. In that scenario, you might want a guy like this on your roster. EDIT- With the added NL DH, Matt Carpenter may no longer play the field, either way an everyday spot should open up for Edman most games.
26/201. Yandy Diaz, Rays (281) (BUST) Despite his projections to bat in the middle of this lineup, Tampa just has too much depth and competition at certain positions (including the ones Diaz plays) for me to invest too heavily in any of their players... also 1B eligible.
27/203. Hunter Dozier, Royals (333): (SLEEPER) With the highly coveted IF/OF flex eligibility (3B/RF), Dozier is a flourishing power bat that could add versatility to your lineup.
28/219. Gio Urshela, Yankees (333) (BUST) Like a lot of the Yanks last season, Urshela capitalized on weak AL East pitching and had an outrageously productive season. He was never much of a hitter before 2019, odds are he returns to form.
29/220. Matt Carpenter, Cardinals (319)
31/245. Kyle Seager, Mariners (341)
LONGSHOTS
33/290. Travis Shaw, Blue Jays (249): Discussed in 1B article (where he may start for Toronto and gain eligibility shortly).
35/332. David Fletcher, Angels (269): Eligibility at 2B, SS and LF could give Fletcher some late-value.
36/348. Evan Longoria, Giants (284)
38/358. Maikel Franco, Royals (299)
39/362. Todd Frazier, Rangers (249): (BUST) Most likely platooning with Matt Duffy, Ronald Guzman, and Nick Solak full-time. Too many bodies here.
40/366. Asdrubal Cabrera, Nationals (293) [2B Eligible]
42/385. Colin Moran, Pirates (255)
44/420. Jake Lamb, Diamonbacks (207): (WATCH LIST) The former big name prospect has lost his job in Arizona. He is still young and a candidate to bounce back, but only if misfortune befalls Eduardo Escobar or Christian Walker (3B and 1B eligible).
45/476. Jeimer Candelario, Tigers (135) [1B Eligible]
*Honorable Mention- Ke'Bryan Hayes, Pirates (N/A): (WATCH LIST) If this top prospect gets the call at any point this season, you'll want to be the one that scoops him up.
OPT-OUTS (so far)
None.
3B Eligible, but not considered third basemen by trade
10/79. DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (389): 2B/1B/3B
12/88. Max Muncy, Dodgers (446): 2B/1B/3B
19/134. Yuli Gurriel, Astros (407): 1B/3B
21/151. Scott Kingery, Phillies (274): CF/3B
23/173. J.D. Davis, Mets (329): LF/3B
25/189. Ryan McMahon, Rockies (279): 2B/3B
30/236. Starlin Castro, Nationals (366): 2B/3B
32/251. Tommy La Stella, Angels (332): 2B/3B
34/297. Jon Berti, Marlins (278): CF/SS/3B
37/355. Hanser Alberto, Orioles (292): 2B/3B
41/382. Marwin Gonzalez, Twins (249): RF/1B/3B
Obviously you cannot deny the tier one talent in this group, but I feel that second tier is loaded too, more so than it was at both first and second base... maybe even short once we get there. The position drops off a little more at the end, but there's no question that you should have plenty of options at 3B in the middle rounds on draft day.
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