Third base is loaded and one of my favorite positons to draft. We’ve got 30/30 contenders at the top, rock solid 30-100 corner guys in the middle rounds and a fat tier of undervalued veterans. I tend to lean towards the outfield early if my league has five outfield spots, but if not securing a third baseman from the top couple tiers with one of my first three picks is a solid strategy.
Jose Ramirez isĀ thisclose to being in his own tier, with a power/speed combo that is not likely matched by anyone else at the position. He’s the only first-rounder at the position, but if you don’t tend to prioritize steals, there is a clear path for any one of Manny Machado, Alex Bregman, Anthony Rendon or Nolan Arenado to out-earn Ramirez on the season. For the record, Arenado will be just fine away from Coors.
ADP Targets
Alex Bregman (37) and Anthony Rendon (31) lost some ground comparing their 2020 ADP to early drafts this year, though there is little to point to in terms of diminished skills that would warrant the drop. I’m fine with buying the dip on either. I love Max Muncy (97) as I do every year (and even moreso in OBP and points leagues), but he looks a little better in a second base slot if eligibility allows.
Gio Urshela (156) remains a bit of an underrated name in a loaded offense. Josh Donaldson (195) and Kyle Seager (235) get the job done whenever they’re on the field. Ty France (419) looks to be earning his way some at-bats and remains an interesting flier in deep leagues
Top 40-ish Third Base Rankings for 2021
Rank | Name | Team |
---|---|---|
Tier 1 | ||
1 | Jose Ramirez | CLE |
2 | Manny Machado | SD |
3 | Alex Bregman | HOU |
4 | Anthony Rendon | LAA |
5 | Nolan Arenado | STL |
Tier 2 | ||
6 | DJ LeMahieu | NYY |
7 | Rafael Devers | BOS |
8 | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | TOR |
9 | Max Muncy | LAD |
10 | Yoan Moncada | CWS |
Tier 3 | ||
11 | Matt Chapman | OAK |
12 | Cavan Biggio | TOR |
13 | Jeff McNeil | NYM |
14 | Kris Bryant | CHC |
15 | Eugenio Suarez | CIN |
16 | Alec Bohm | PHI |
17 | Ke'Bryan Hayes | PIT |
18 | Mike Moustakas | CIN |
19 | Josh Donaldson | MIN |
20 | Gio Urshela | NYY |
21 | Kyle Seager | SEA |
22 | Justin Turner | LAD |
Tier 4 | ||
23 | Jean Segura | PHI |
24 | Dylan Moore | SEA |
25 | Ian Happ | CHC |
26 | Miguel Sano | MIN |
27 | Jeimer Candelario | DET |
28 | J.D. Davis | NYM |
29 | Tommy Edman | STL |
30 | Austin Riley | ATL |
31 | Nick Solak | TEX |
32 | Eduardo Escobar | ARI |
33 | Brian Anderson | MIA |
34 | Hanser Alberto | KC |
35 | Ty France | SEA |
36 | Starlin Castro | WSH |
Tier 5 | ||
37 | David Fletcher | LAA |
38 | Willi Castro | DET |
39 | Isiah Kiner-Falefa | TEX |
40 | Andres Gimenez | CLE |
41 | Jon Berti | MIA |
42 | Yuli Gurriel | HOU |
43 | Hunter Dozier | KC |
44 | Tommy La Stella | SF |
45 | Ryan McMahon | COL |
46 | Evan Longoria | SF |
47 | Yandy Diaz | TB |
48 | Scott Kingery | PHI |