We might have an issue right here.
There are occasions when third base is loaded. It tends to ask bigger gents with stronger arms, in any case, and with that comes highly effective swings, usually talking. However in these instances when protection is extra in vogue, third base will find yourself shedding a few of its finest bats to different, much less premium positions.
That is the state the place is in now, and judging by the third base image within the minors, it isn’t bettering anytime quickly. Certainly, a few of the present shortstop class will find yourself migrating, for a similar purpose some third basemen migrate to first base, however when sizing up the true third basemen within the minors proper now, just one stands out: Jacob Reimer. And he is blocked about thrice over for the Mets.
- Place Methods: C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | SP | RP
- Place Tiers: C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | SP | RP
So no assistance is on the horizon, however to be completely truthful, third base is not devoid of star energy. Once we get to The Studs, you may see that they run deeper than at most different infield positions. The issue is the precipitous drop-off that follows. Third base is the place the place, irrespective of the scale of the league, somebody is not going to be pleased with who he drafts there.
And the deeper the league, the more serious it’s. In contrast to at, say, second base, the place a few of the most fascinating choices solely matter for deeper leagues, third base simply goes darkish. As soon as the enticing choices are gone, restricted although they’re, all that is left to do is cling to no matter at-bats you will discover.
The state of the place for 2026, then, is certainly one of urgency. Try to be sport planning for third base as a result of the penalty for going smooth there’s compounded by the reward for going exhausting. Some in your league may have a very good third baseman. Some will not, and there will not be many gradients in between. That hole between the haves and have-nots could also be what decides championships in 2026.
Marking the road between the haves and have-nots is straightforward, however the haves then should ship on it. And never everybody here’s a lock to take action. Jazz Chisholm is a identified harm threat, to not point out much more of a standout at second base, the place he is maybe extra more likely to be drafted. Manny Machado is now 33 and in a state of gradual decline. Austin Riley is coming off back-to-back disappointing, injury-plagued years. Eugenio Suarez simply hit .189 with a .682 OPS in his second half with the Mariners.
Even the first- and second-round choices — Jose Ramirez and Junior Caminero, respectively — aren’t totally worry-free. At 33, Ramirez is the second-oldest of the consensus first-rounders (behind Aaron Decide) and will theoretically start to indicate it. In the meantime, some have raised issues about Caminero’s return to Tropicana Subject, noting that he hit about 100 factors increased on the Rays‘ short-term dwelling than on the street final yr. To me, although, each of these issues would fall into the “borrowing hassle” class reasonably than elevating professional crimson flags. In the event that they concern you, you then’re actually not going to love what follows, and I’ve taken to prioritizing Ramirez and Caminero of their respective rounds for that purpose, lately transferring Ramirez forward of Juan Soto in my rankings and Caminero forward of Nick Kurtz.
Among the many others listed right here, I am most drawn to Riley and Suarez, who’re each coming at a reduction relative to my expectations. Riley remains to be in his prime at 28, has continued to ship the identical premium exit velocities, and had three consecutive MVP-caliber seasons previous to the final two, each of which had been marred by harm. Suarez, in the meantime, simply looks as if he cannot hit at T-Cellular Park, a venue identified to create sight issues for sure hitters. He hit .280 with a .921 OPS in his 24 street video games with the Mariners and hit practically 50 homers general. His signing with the Reds ought to have relieved no matter issues existed, however his draft inventory stays suppressed.
Lesser, however doubtlessly viable, choices: Alec Bohm, PHI; Caleb Durbin, BOS
These gamers are … positive, however they’re clearly a step again from the earlier group when it comes to upside. They usually will not final lengthy, to get again to my authentic level about third base. Some may balk at me placing Alex Bregman right here, on condition that his ADP is increased than Suarez’s, but when you have not heard, he is a bust choose for me. I simply do not assume the best way he comes about energy goes to work at Wrigley Subject, with its deep outfield corners and punishing winds. Others may object to me having Max Muncy right here, given his presumptive platoon standing, however I do not assume it should be as strict as down the stretch final yr, when the Dodgers had been easing him again from harm. Nonetheless, I would not precisely be thrilled to draft him in a Rotisserie league. Each he and Bregman fee significantly better in Head-to-Head factors.
So if we take out each the high and low endpoints which can be controversial for one purpose or one other, we’re left with three names, all of whom spent a good portion of 2025 on the IL and certainly one of whom, Isaac Paredes, would not actually have a devoted lineup spot in the meanwhile. In concept, my favourite right here is Paredes — I believe he is perhaps extra Alex Bregman than Alex Bregman, even, with the best way his excessive platoon tendencies play at Daikin Park — but when the Astros‘ treatment to their infield glut is to commerce him to a staff with out such a shallow left area nook, properly, he would not belong on this group anymore. And if not, he is scratching and clawing for each at-bat he can get.
Jordan Westburg nonetheless seems to be like a 30-homer bat if he may solely keep wholesome for a full season, however simply as Bregman and Muncy lose one thing in 5×5 Rotisserie, Westburg takes a success in Head-to-Head factors because of his microscopic stroll fee. In that format, I would really desire Matt Chapman, who’s in some way each essentially the most steady and most flawed of this group.
Bohm solely will get an honorable point out (as a “lesser, however doubtlessly viable, possibility”) as a result of nobody is drafting him besides below duress nowadays (241st general), however I really assume he is change into underrated and could possibly be described as the final word fallback possibility at this place. He was going 100 picks earlier final yr, and all that truly modified for him within the interim was that he spent a while on the IL, reducing his totals. He nonetheless charges as a powerful supply of batting common and RBI and fares properly in factors leagues, too, due to his low strikeout fee. It is a deeper play, however a promising one.
*minor-league stats
^overseas stats
I’ve crammed out this class fairly properly, however do not be misled. We have seen sufficient of most of those guys to know that they in all probability stink. Positive, Nolan Gorman is promised a job now. Yeah, Jonathan India shall be working with nearer fences in Kansas Metropolis. True, Willi Castro has the advantage of Coors Subject. However come on. In the event you’re staking your season on any certainly one of them, you have already misplaced.
The 2 I can muster real enthusiasm for are Noelvi Marte and Kazuma Okamoto, however the issue for Marte is that he is being drafted extra like a certain factor than a sleeper. I may have gotten behind that when he was hitting .300 with an .856 OPS on Aug. 24, however did no one see him hit .193 with a .549 OPS and a 33 p.c strikeout fee over his ultimate 29 video games? We do not actually know who the 24-year-old is but. You can say the identical for the 29-year-old Okamoto, after all, however his monitor report in Japan speaks volumes. He really had the next wRC+ there than Aaron Decide had right here final yr. It was inflated by an injury-shortened season, however nonetheless. And whereas he would not come as adorned as Munetaka Murakami, his contact expertise are literally a energy reasonably than a debilitating weak point. I believe it should work out, and truly would not thoughts drafting Okamoto as my starter at third.
I do know some nonetheless consider in Royce Lewis, however the previous couple years have been so depressing for him, on prime of the harm threat, that I can not muster enthusiasm anymore. I’ve some affinity for Brett Baty nonetheless, significantly after he hit .308 with seven homers and an .866 OPS over the ultimate two months, however except the Mets give him the beginning proper area job (unlikely over prospect Carson Benge), he is destined to separate at-bats with Mark Vientos once more. Jordan Lawlar may lastly get his shot for the Diamondbacks, albeit in left area, however has struggled so mightily towards every thing however fastballs that I could not deal with him as something greater than a lottery ticket at this level.
*minor-league stats
I might say there are extra base-stealers right here than regular, however one of the best are both drafted so early which you could’t actually sport plan for them (with Jose Ramirez, Jazz Chisholm, or Maikel Garcia falling into that class) or have main issues about their enjoying time. You possibly can see that that is another excuse why Noelvi Marte is producing a lot curiosity, although. The actual game-changer could be Jordan Lawlar, who has a constant monitor report of working within the minors and swiped final yr’s 20 bases in simply 63 minor league video games, however we’re properly acquainted together with his struggles by now.
