Fantasy 40/40 – 2012 Fantasy Baseball Rankings

Fantasy 40/40: 2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 30 Third Basemen (3B)

By Tito on March 29th, 2011

I know it’s late in the game, but I’m just getting around to finishing these.  Better late than never as they say, although most of you probably had your drafts this past weekend.

1. Evan Longoria TB – 2011 Projections: .285-36-118-105-10. With Longo coming off a down year, I see a huge campaign for this Tampa Bay Devil Ray.  I know, I know.
2. David Wright NYM – .285-30-110-100-17. He’s as consistent as any first roxnd pick out there.  He’s gone 25/15 with at least 100 RBI in five of last six years.
3. Alex Rodriguez NYY – .280-36-115-90-5. I’ve flip flopped AROD and Zimmerman multiple times this spring.  I just don’t think AROD is done yet and he looks healthy, comfortable in NY and in his own skin finally, and ready to beat up on some pitching.  And he’s hit at least 30 HRS and 100 RBI every year since 1998.
4. Ryan Zimmerman WAS – .295-28-100-90-4. I only have Zimmerman here because I need to see him stay healthy.  I think he does and has a good year, but just need to see it (I actually own Zimmerman).  He’s got some new pieces around him, expect a nice 2011.
5. Kevin Youkilis BOS – I like Youkilis a lot this year in mixed leagues.  His ADP is right around 30 right now – he’ll obtain 3B after the season starts. Find his projections with the other first basemen.
6. Adrian Beltre TEX – .285-25-90-80-5. He signed a fat contract this off-season.  That means I stay away.  Not saying he’s lazy, just saying he’s got a lot of money in his bank account.  Content would be a better word.
7. Jose Bautista TOR – .260-32-105-95-10. No, he won’t hit over 50 HR again.  But he should be good for at least 35 HR, with an upside of 40.  His power is legit…  Too legit…  Sing it, I know you want to…  Are you doing the hand signals too?
8. Mark Reynolds BAL – .240-34-90-80-10. I don’t think he hits under the Mendoza Line this season.  Buck would eat him.  I think he returns to the .240 to .250 range, but jacks close to 38 HR playing in small Camden Yards.
9. Michael Young TEX – .295-16-80-80-5. Whether he’s in Texas or Philly or Denver, Young will get his ABs and provide serviceable numbers while playing all over the diamond.  I actually think he might hit over .300.
10. Pedro Alvarez PIT –  .260-28-90-70-2. Big fan.  He’s going to hit 30 HR.  And 35 to 40 is the upside, 25 downside.
11. Casey McGehee MIL – .285-24-90-70-0.  After 16 HR and 66 RBI in 355 AB in ‘09, he put up 23 HR and 104 RBI in 610 AB in ‘10.  Looks like he’s got game and is okay to draft.
12. Martin Prado ATL (2B) – I want to rank him higher, but I can’t.  I like him, own him in some leagues, but would draft each guy listed above before I took Prado.  But .300-15-60-100-10 aren’t too bad.  Better used at 2B than 3B or OF. Projections found here.
13. Aramis Ramirez CHC – .270-25-85-70-2. Mr. DL is his Superhero name.  He’s good for 25 HRs and wants to have a nice year considering Chicago holds his option for ‘11.
14. Pablo Sandoval SF – .290-20-80-65-4. Kung-Fu Panda was more Panda Express than Bruce Lee last season.  His poor ‘10 season slapped Sandoval in the face; forced him to drop some lbs.  He’s lighter and quicker which should help on the field and in the batter’s box.
15. Chase Headley SD – .265-15-85-75-15. Never going to hit you 30 HR playing at PetCo but 15/20 is quite possible.
16. Placido Polanco PHI – .295-8-65-80-6. He can hit and is in a solid lineup.  But that lineup has health concerns and Polanco is now 86 years old.  Actually, just 35.
17. Ian Stewart COL – .260-20-70-60-6. I am a big fan of Mr. Stewart.  After 25 HRs in ‘09, he dipped a bit to 18 last season.  With Wigginton and Lopez added to the mix, he better learn to hit lefties if he wants to see more ABs.
18. Edwin Encarnacion TOR –  .250-28-75-65-1. Call me crazy but if he gets playing time, 30 HR is possible with an eye on 35 (lifting my pinky to the corner of my mouth)?.  Yeah, I said it.
19. Scott Rolen CIN – .280-15-70-70-2. Mr. Day to Day is his Superhero name, Mr. Glass and Mr. DL were taken.  He’s better served as a NL only option, but could be serviceable while healthy.
20. Chris Johnson HOU – .270-18-70-65-3. His half season numbers last year extrapolated over a full year looks really good.  I’m just not so sure he’s the real deal.  But a mid to late round pick on a CI spot isn’t too bad a spot to gamble on a guy who could go for 20 and 80.
21. Danny Valencia MIN – .290-17-70-65-1. Like Johnson, Valencia was called up mid-season and played well enough to earn the starting gig moving forward.  He’s got a good lineup in front of him, he could provide some decent late round value.
22. Juan Uribe LAD (2B/SS) - Check out the second basemen or shortstops for his projections.
23. David Freese STL – .280-18-75-70-2. It seems like St. Louis has doing everything they can to give this kid the job.  He’s finally back to playing and has had a decent spring.  Of course that means nothing, but he’s got power upside and could be a sleeper mixed league option.
24. Jhonny Peralta DET (SS) – Find his projections with the other SS.
25. Omar Infante FLA (2B/OF) - His numbers are with the 2011 projections for 2B found here.
26. Ty Wigginton COL (1B/2B) - Qualifies at three positions.  His projections with the 1B.
27. Jose Lopez COL – Signed a free agent contract with the Rockies and should win the 2B job.  He could also get moved mid-season and find himself in a platoon.
28. Chipper Jones ATL – .280-14-65-55-2.  As a Mets fan, Larry has done a lot to play with my baseball emotions.  He’s not the player he used to be and might be closing on his last days as a player.  I say this with the utmost respect.  I hate you and can’t wait ’til you join Bobby Cox in Retirementville.  The HOF awaits.
29. Miguel Tejada SF (3B) – Another two position player, Tejada is in SF and will be a MI/CI option for fantasy owners in deeper mixed leagues.  Projections here.
30. Mike Moustakas KC – .275-18-70-55-0. He gets called up June 1st and begins to rake.  If only I were Ms. Cleo.  I actually wanted to move him up on the list, but didn’t have the sack to do it.  So I have him here.  I own him in keeper leagues and he’s going to be good for a real long time.  Oh yeah, he’s also a Royal.