Third Base Overview

Third Base Overview:  When I look at this year's class of third basemen, nothing really excites me from it.  Everyone has Longoria as a first round pick, but after owning him last year, I don't think I would draft him there.  I won't target players like Wright and Longoria in the first round because there are solid players in the next few rounds.  Alex Rodriguez, Kevin Youkilis, and Mark Reynolds are players who can produce like Longoria and Wright without the first round price.  If you miss on the top few tiers, Casey McGehee should be as solid as ever.

Tier 1

Evan Longoria

Alex Rodriguez

David Wright

Ryan Zimmerman

Tier 2

Adrian Beltre

Jose Bautista

Tier 3

Mark Reynolds

Martin Prado (eligible)

Aramis Ramirez

Tier 4

Casey McGehee

Pedro Alvarez

Pablo Sandoval

Tier 5

Placido Polanco

Scott Rolen

Chase Headley

Chipper Jones

Miguel Tejada

Chris Johnson

Mike Moustakas

Brent Morel

Breakout:  Mike Moustakas 

This is a name I really thought everyone would be hearing about this spring.  Last year between Double A and Triple A Moustakas batted .322 with 36 home runs, 41 doubles, and 124 rbi's in only 118 games.  Moustakas is in a battle for the Royals third base job with Mike Aviles, but I don't see the Royals not giving him a chance.  At the least he will get the call up in June.  Take a flier on Moustakas late and he could have an Evan Longoria rookie year type impact.

Sleeper:   Mark Reynolds

How quick people forget.  Coming into last season Reynolds was a player who had just mashed 44 home runs while stealing 24 bases.  Even with his low average he was looked at as a third round pick.  Now after a season where he hit .198 and struggled with injuries he will be lucky to crack the first 10 rounds in drafts.  People don't realize how much injuries hurt Reynolds season, even though he hit 32 home runs in only 499 at bats.  He now moves to a very potent Orioles lineup and 40 home runs and 100 rbi's is not out of the question.    I'd still take Reynolds over the Pedro Alvarez, Martin Prado, and Aramis Ramirez' of the world.

Bust: Jose Bautista

I hated to put Bautista as my bust, because it seems like a lot of people don't believe in the late bloomer, but some people are looking at him as a top 5 third basemen.  His 54 home runs and 124 rbi's were amazing last year, but he only had 113 homers in his entire career before last season.    He could produce another season with 40 home runs, but to take him over a player who is as consistent as Kevin Youkilis is pretty crazy.  Owners will spend their fourth round pick on Bautista, I just won't be one of them.