Fantasy Baseball Preview 2005: Third Base

Written by The Fool on March 01, 2005

It’s been four days since a RotoGod gave you folks something to read, so The Fool figured he would step up and break down a baseball position for you.

Why third base? It’s an interesting position where your player can pile up errors as well as home runs. There are also a number of folks playing out of position over there – or at least learning third base as a second or third stop. There are also a number of players in new locales.

You’ll also want to note the extreme dropoff after the first dozen or so. It gets ugly (or at least dicey) in a hurry.

So here is The Fool’s unscientific view of the hot corner heading into the 2005 season. On this list, you’ll find only guys slotted to play the position this season – so if you’re looking for the Aubrey Huffs, Casey Blakes and Chone Figgins of the world, you’ll have to check another list.

1. Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
ARod should still be the first or second player taken in any league. He’s 29 years old and was two stolen bases off 30-30 with 106 RBI last season, while learning a new position in the NYC limelight, and people kept saying he had an off year. Ha! Grab him and run.

2. Scott Rolen, St. Louis Cardinals
He’s not as old as you think, turning 30 next month. And he plays in one of baseball’s best lineups, which means as good as he was last season (.314, 34 homers, 124 RBI), he could be even better this season. Injuries are always a concern, but Rolen has averaged 150 games over the last three seasons.

3. Eric Chavez, Oakland Athletics
This guy was as durable and reliable as you could ask for up until last season, when a broken hand sidelined him for more than 30 games. But, even though he had 113 fewer at-bats in his injury-abbreviated season, Chavez cranked the same number of home runs as he had the previous season: 29. He also showed a dramatic improvement hitting against left-handers last season. If healthy – and there’s no reason he shouldn’t be – Chavez should have one of his best seasons, especially in an improved Oakland lineup. He’s also at that ideal age of 27.

4. Aramis Ramirez, Chicago Cubs
Speaking of age and players who have seemingly been around forever . . . . Ramirez is only 26 years old and entering his eighth year in the bigs. He’s also coming off his best season, which means you’re getting him while he’s peaking. Ramirez hit .318 with 36 homers and 103 RBI, and his OPS jumped to a career-high .951. And even with Sosa gone, Ramirez will have a good lineup to keep slugging, surrounded by Nomar, Derrick Lee, Corey Patterson and Jeromy Burnitz.

5. Adrian Beltre, Seattle Mariners
This is probably the lowest you’ve seen Beltre ranked heading into this season. Well, The Fool wants to see him do it again. Last year was truly amazing: .334 average, 48 homers, 121 RBI, 104 runs. But he doubled his previous career high in homers and nearly did so in runs scored and RBI. And it was his contract year. And he took big money after the season and went to a pitcher’s park, Safeco Field, in a new league. Let’s just say The Fool is skeptical.

6. Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves
He’s baaaaaaack. After struggling for a few seasons in the outfield and bottoming out early last season, Chipper got his wish and moved back to third base. As soon as he made the move, his numbers rebounds from an awful start, and he nearly topped 100 RBI for the ninth consecutive season. Aside from that awful batting average from last season, Chipper has always been Mr. Consistency. You can count on him for a .300 average, 30 homers and 100 RBI. Book it.

7. Melvin Mora, Baltimore Orioles
A former middle infielder and outfielder, Mora has found a home at the hot corner for the amped-up Orioles lineup. He’ll bat .300 or better with still-improving power numbers (27 homers and 104 RBI last season), but he’ll also get injured – his career-high for games played is 149 back in 2002. He’s also the oldest player listed this high, and also the player with the least major league experience. A slight gamble to produce what he gave owners last season, but it could play off nicely.

8. Hank Blalock, Texas Rangers
He’s only 24 years old, but Blalock is swinging in one of baseball’s most loaded lineups and producing impressive early numbers. Last season, Blalock cranked 32 homers and knocked in 110 runs and scored 107 times. Oh, and he plays nearly every day; Blalock took just two games off last year. His batting average dipped 24 points to .276, but at Blalock’s age there’s plenty of room and time to improve. Blalock could crack the top five at this position with another solid year of improvement – he’s a rising star.

9. Mike Lowell, Florida Marlins
He’s nearly as consistent as Chipper, he’s just not quite as good. He’s never hit .300, though he came close last season (.293). He’s a lock for at least 25 homers, his average over the last four years. And that Marlins lineup has improved around him, too. Lowell should at least give you what he delivered last season, if not a tad more.

10. David Wright, New York Mets
He’s a baby, but Wright has more upside than anyone else on the board. His 23rd birthday won’t come until after the season, but Wright already has 14 homers, 40 RBI and a .293 average in 69 games. Had the Mets not made so many moves in the offseason, The Fool might have ranked him a little lower heading into 2005. But, with Beltran and Pedro coming in, the pressure on the youngster will be turned down a notch from last year, when he was a regular on the back pages. Expect a big jump in Wright’s numbers, and once you get him, hold on to him – he’s going to be a good one for years to come. He’ll even steal a few bags for you (six in 69 games last year).

The Rest
(what, you thought I was going to write 30-some capsules?)
11. Troy Glaus, Arizona Diamondbacks: Beware his health, but love his bat
12: Corey Koskie, Toronto Blue Jays: Bad back, good lineup, nice steals
13. Bill Mueller, Boston Red Sox: He slumped a little last year, so you should be able to get him cheap
14. Aaron Boone, Cleveland Indians: His best two seasons came before his injury; look at those stolen bases, but you must be patient.
15. Ty Wiggington, Pittsburgh Pirates: He’s not as bad as you think, and he’s a thief
16. Michael Cuddyer, Minnesota Twins: Should be full time this year; a nice sleeper
17. Joe Crede, Chicago White Sox: No one likes this guy, probably because of his average (.256 career). But he’s only 26.
18. Joe Randa, Cincinnati Reds: Not a reach, but nothing special. Expect more runs, a little more production in better lineup.
19. Garrett Atkins, Colorado Rockies: It’s his job to lose, but you’re drafting the home park, not the player
20. Dallas McPherson, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: A nice rookie sleeper in a great lineup
21. Brandon Inge, Detroit Tigers: “Binge” is finally settled at third base, he can do it all though.
22. Vinny Castilla, Washington Nationals: He’s no longer in Colorado.
23. Edgardo Alfonso, San Francisco Giants: He somehow gets worse every year, and he’s fighting Pedro Feliz for playing time
24. Alex Gonzalez, Tampa Bay Devil Rays: I almost forgot this guy. You should too.
25. Jose Valentin, Los Angeles Dodgers: I suppose GM Paul DePodesta knows what he’s doing; if you end up with Valentin, you should do what DePodesta did and sign Norhiro Nakamura as well.
26. Morgan Ensberg, Houston Astros: He’s fighting Mike Lamb for playing time. He’s also fighting the fact that he stinks.
27. Sean Burroughs, San Diego Padres: Nice skirt
28. Russ Branyan, Milwaukee Brewers: 1,262 at-bats, 81 home runs, 517 strikeouts. A sleeper at best.
29. David Bell, Philadelphia Phillies: “Great clubhouse guy”; too bad your fantasy team has no clubhouse
30. Chris Truby, Kansas City Royals: Don’t waste your time, draft Mark Teahen (his rookie “backup”) instead.

-- Written by The Fool on March 01, 2005