Third Basemen:
1. David Wright
The centerpiece of an all-star laden Mets lineup, David Wright has emerged as more than a perennial MVP candidate.
Good for 30 homers and 30 steals in 2007 and beyond, Wright’s leadership along with the addition of Johan Santana has
Mets fans thinking optimistically of their team’s future. Although his team floundered in the second half, redefining the
collapse in baseball, Wright was locked in, batting .364 after the all-star break. David is a hard worker with natural talent in
the mold of Alex Rodriguez, and as such we expect him to continue to improve as time progresses. Although we do not see
Wright as a credible 40/40 candidate, we do think his stock is on the rise – and that’s saying a lot coming off of the all-star
season he enjoyed during 2007.
2. Ryan Braun
Not since Albert Pujols has a third baseman (or perhaps any batter) exploded on the scene with such fanfare. With a .324
average, 34 homers, and 97 RBI to go with 15 SB in his rookie season, Braun instantly became the anchor of an offense
that already brandished Prince Fielder and gang. Ryan’s glove was not as advanced as his bat in ’07, and the Brew Crew
has elected to shift him to left field and return Billy Hall to third base in 2008. He will qualify at 3B and OF, only increasing
his fantasy value, and although Braun’s average dipped to .309 in the second half last season, he still belted an
astonishing 23 homers in 288 at bats down the stretch. While we expect his batting average to return to earth, his power
may well be on the rise. The sky is the limit for this real and fantasy superstar, and with a solid sophomore season, Ryan
Braun’s name may be spoken in the same breath as ARod and Pujols in 2009.
3. Aramis Ramirez
Aramis Ramirez (ARam) has become a fixture at the hot corner for the Cubs, but also for fantasy GM’s all over. Though his
2007 totals were his worst since his days in Pittsburgh, and he has been ousted as Hanley as the most desirable NL
Ramirez, Aramis is still only 29 years old. His 26 homers came in only 506 at bats, and while his overall power took a minor
dip, his average jumped to .310. We think that a healthy Aramis Ramirez will regain his 30+ home run stroke and .300+
average. But, at age 29 and with a healthy Derek Lee and Alfonso Soriano book-ending him, all the pieces are in place for
a rebound 2008 for ARam.
4. Chipper Jones
Even in the twilight of his career at age 35, Chipper still ranks in the top five NL third basemen. In fact, his worth only rises
in expanded league formats where BB’s, K’s and extra-base hits are valued. The 2007 season made a statement to Jones’
detractors. Not only can Chipper still rake around 30 homers in a season when healthy, but 100 RBI’s and .320+ average
are all still within the realm of possibility. Jones will enter ’08 at 36 years old. Having suffered a variety of injuries over the
last few seasons, there is some risk involved here – but if others shy away from a healthy Chipper in your draft or auction,
their loss may be your gain on this seemingly timeless mainstay at third base.
5. Garrett Atkins
Atkins is missing but one thing on his resume – 30 home runs in a single season. Garrett tuned up his bat after the all-star
break after hitting .259 with 13 long-balls beforehand. Atkins ended the year on a tear with a total of 25 homers, 111 RBI,
and a .301 average. With 35 doubles and at age 28, Garrett Atkins is in his offensive prime. As one of the young Rocks on
the defending NL champs, Atkins may well be inspired to break 30 home runs in 2008. With or without a humidor, we expect
25-30 homers and 100+ RBI with a .300+ average from this Chipper Jones-light.
6. Ryan Zimmerman
Zimmerman has posted unreal numbers at third considering his home park has been RFK the past two seasons and he is
still just 24 years old. A move to Nationals Stadium from RFK may represent the next step forward that pushes Ryan into the
top five third basemen in the National League. A surgically repaired left wrist that required additional tweaking may give
some prospective fantasy GM’s pause when considering Zimmerman, but having already jumpstarted the spring with a
homer, Ryan looks like he is quickly regaining the form that has made him a fan favorite in Washington.
7. Kevin Kouzmanoff
The acquisition of Kouzmanoff for Josh Barfield looked prescient when reflecting on 2007’s totals. For Kevin, it was a tale of
two halves. The start of the season was, at times, painful to watch for Kouzmanoff boosters, who saw him struggle to the
tune of a .228 average and 7 homers before the break. After it he flourished, hitting .317 with 11 homers and 37 RBI, even
in pitcher friendly PETCO Park. In just 484 at bats Kouzmanoff totaled 18 homers and 30 doubles, good for one homer
every 26.9 at bats. Projected to 600 or so at bats, that would be good for a total of 22+ homers. At a mere 27 years of age,
the alleged “magic number” for batters, K squared has the opportunity to build on a solid rookie year. Expect 20+ homers
and a better average from Kouzmanoff in 2008.
8. Edwin Encarnacion
In his third shot in the majors at age 24, the 2007 season was a major step backward for E squared. With more K’s, fewer
walks, and a declining slugging percentage and on-base percentage, Reds’ brass punished Encarnacion largely for
absentminded play at third base by relegating him to the minors to shake off the cobwebs during 2007. All in all it wasn’t a
miserable season for Edwin, and it was his second half surge that provides fantasy GM’s encouragement about 2008.
Batting .309 with 10 homers and 40 RBI to 246 at bats, expectations are high again for this statistical bridesmaid. We
cannot endorse Encarnacion as a safe bet to exceed 20 homers and bat .300 yet, but he has the talent. If he is locked-in
during spring, consider him a top 10 third baseman in NL only formats.
9. Pedro Feliz
We expect few lesser-known players to benefit more than Pedro Feliz from their change of real-estate. Since his rookie
year, Feliz has called AT&T Park home, and it is not widely considered particularly hitter-friendly. He now moves to Citizens
Bank Park, notoriously batter-friendly. If Feliz can stay healthy, he will enjoy the benefit of the Philly bandbox and power-
packed lineup to the tune of about 25+ homers and 90+ RBI.
10. Mark Reynolds
When opportunity knocked, Mark Reynolds answered. Chad Tracy went down and Mark Reynolds was called up from
double A and never looked back. Hitting .426 in the month of May with 4 homers and 15 RBI in 54 at bats when he was
called up, Reynolds silenced those who thought the jump to Arizona was premature for him. Mark had flashed significant
power in the minors, hitting 31 homers in 387 at bats during 2006 between single and double A. Tracy will be out to start
2008, so the starting third base job will be Reynolds’ to lose. At age 23, he will need to cut down on whiffs, be more patient
at the plate, and continue powering the ball out of Chase Field. We think he can, but the team does have a glut of
cornermen, so if Reynolds falters, expect him to either end up back in the minors or on the short end of a platoon at third.
11. Ty Wigginton
When you look up journeyman and utility defender in Webster’s dictionary, you might find a picture of Ty smiling back at
you. Wigginton will be entering 2008 on his fourth team in four seasons. Subtracting both Morgan Ensberg, Mike Lamb, and
Michael Costanzo, the ‘Stros have only Ty Wigginton to man the hot corner for the foreseeable future. Arguably one of the
more undervalued players in fantasy ball, Wigginton qualifies at first, second, and third base and should be good for about
20 homers in 2008 playing half his games in Minute Maid Park.
12. Bill Hall
Centerfield didn’t quite work out for Hall like the John Fogerty song. Billy Hall pretty much played himself right out of a
starting job during 2007. After being forced to centerfield to clear space for phenom Ryan Braun, Hall was ironically
returned to third by Braun’s atrocious glove-work. Ending the year with a meager .254 average to go with 14 homers and
63 RBI, Bill Hall was a far cry from his 2006, 30+ home run self. The Brewers figure that a return to third base, where Hall
has hit .327 with 13 homers in career 257 at bats, is the way to remedy his ailing bat. Time will tell whether a return to the
infield will offensively recharge Bill Hall, but expect around 20 homers and 60+ RBI.
13. Jose Bautista
Pittsburgh third baseman Jose Bautista quickly became a favorite of manager Lloyd McLendon. His aggressive approach at
the plate, coupled with surprising pop, somehow translated into slotting in the leadoff and second spot in the lineup.
Bautista was consistently mediocre pre and post all-star break. But, with little competition for the starting third base job
entering ’08, Jose will almost certainly be back for an encore performance. In spite of the alleged golden rule of baseball
chronology, don’t expect a breakout from this 27 year old, but don’t rule out a bump up to 20 long balls either.
14. Nomar Garciaparra
With Andy LaRoche out recovering from thumb surgery, Nomar is the undisputed starter at third base. He is a far, far cry
from his former self, though. Having knocked only 7 homers in 431 at bats in 2007, Nomar is draft or auction-worthy no-
more. His slugging percentage dropped over .130 points and his average was earthly at .283. With Joe Torre as the new
skipper and Don Mattingly as the new batting coach to go with the offensive overhaul in LA, Nomar could recapture his 20
home run glory – but don’t bet on it. If LaRoche had been healthy it would have been his job to lose, but by the grace of an
injured thumb, Garciaparra finds himself a starter once again at age 35. Cross your fingers but by no means hold your
breath on a return to the numbers of yesteryear.
What can we say about the hot corner in ’08? With 30/30 rising star David Wright leading the pack, and Rookie of the Year
winner Ryan Braun riding his coattails, the depth at third is looking significant entering 2008. Gone are the days of Sean
Berry. Even if you are unlucky enough to land Jose Bautista as your only option at third, take comfort in the fact that 20
homers is a pretty good booby prize.
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