Fantasy Baseball Player Rankings & Projections

2010 Third Base Preseason Preview

 

Kevin Youkilis

Youkilis can easily be a top-five fantasy third basemen if all goes right for him in 2009. His availability at first base further increases his overall draft value.

6. Kevin Youkilis - Red Sox - 2010 Preview:

Youkilis will be the Red Sox starting first basemen, but should qualify as a third basemen in most leagues. He proved that his big 2008 season, where he batted .312 and hit 29 home runs and 115 RBI's, was not a fluke and followed up with a season that may have surpassed it if not for injury. Youkilis still managed 27 home runs and 94 RBI's even though he only had 491 at bats. Loading your fantasy lineup with Boston Red Sox is always as smart thing as plenty of runs and RBI's will always come. In the end Youkilis is slowly becoming the sure-thing .300, 30 home run, 100 RBI fantasy-stud third basemen and could be ranked as high as number two by seasons-end if he stays healthy.

2009 Statistics: .305 - 27 HR's - 94 RBI's - 99 Runs

2010 Projection: .301 - 30 HR's - 105 RBI's - 100 Runs

 

7. Mark Reynolds - D'Backs - 2010 Preview:

Reynolds is one of the players it is hard to put a finger on. His 2009 season has him ranked right there with the top-five first basemens in fantasy baseball (though he will be the Diamondbacks starting third basemen his 28 games at first base should qualify him in most leagues), but he has little else to go off of other than his 2008 season when he hit 28 home runs while batting a lowly .239. You add that to his record-setting 232 strikeouts and there are reasons to be concerned, but in the end he hit 44 home runs and stole 28 bases and those are fantasy-stud numbers.

2009 Statistics: .260 - 44 HR's - 102 RBI's - 98 Runs

2010 Projection: .255 - 37 HR's - 97 RBI's - 91 Runs

 

8. Aramis Ramírez - Cubs - 2010 Preview:

The veteran is a few seasons removed from his usual .300, 30 home run, 100 RBI, 100 run, but not far removed. He did fall to injury and his season was cut down to just 82 games, but all signs pointed to another 25-30 home run season. He continues have an excellent strikeout-to-walk ratio for a power hitter (28 walks, 43 strikeouts in 2009) which helps him in comparison to many third basemens in some league formats. The Cubs have a solid offense surrounding him, so he should be inline for another 100 RBI, 90 run season and he will remain a very safe pick in your fantasy baseball draft.

2009 Statistics: .317 - 15 HR's - 65 RBI's - 46 Runs

2010 Projection: .298 - 27 HR's - 106 RBI's - 90 Runs

 

9. Gordon Beckham - White Sox - 2010 Preview:

The White Sox 2008 #1 pick (8th overall) got the call midway in the season and played very solid fantasy baseball. With 378 at bats Beckham popped 14 home runs, 28 doubles, 1 triple and stole 7 bases. Not bad for a 23-year-old rookie. Beckham's value is all about his upside. He can be a .300, 20 home-run-hitter and even toss in 12 to 18 stolen bases if all goes well. With a potentially loaded White Sox offense which includes Alex Rios, Carlos Quentin, Alexei Ramírez, Paul Konerko and Juan Pierre, he could be in for the magical 100 RBI, 100 run season. With the addition of Mark Teahan at third base, the White Sox will likely move Beckham to second base which will increase his overall draft value.

2009 Statistics: .270 - 14 HR's - 63 RBI's - 58 Runs

2010 Projection: .283 - 21 HR's - 94 RBI's - 89 Runs

 

10. (Tie) Chris Davis - Rangers - 2010 Preview:

The big-time first half fantasy bust (to the point of being demoted to the minors), finished the season strong and ended up with a .238 average and 21 home runs with his 391 at bats. Davis strikeouts way too much and isn't much of a hitter, but unlike Adam Dunn and Carlos Pena, who have the same issue, at age 24 Davis has time and potential to improve. He showed this at the the end of the 2009 season by batting .308 with six home runs with his 138 at bats and the best news of all, he struck out at a lower rate.

2009 Statistics: .238 - 21 HR's - 59 RBI's - 48 Runs

2010 Projection: .274 - 32 HR's - 90 RBI's - 73 Runs

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10. (Tie) Michael Young - Rangers - 2010 Preview:

He transition to third base in 2009 may have reinvigorated the veteran's fantasy career. Young had his second highest career batting average (.322) and his second highest home run total (22). His RBI and run totals were very average, but in the heavy-hitting Texas lineup, those numbers can increase in 2010. Realistically, Young isn't inline for a repeat season, but he should come close and give you a worthy low-end fantasy third basemen.

2009 Statistics: .322 - 22 HR's - 68 RBI's - 76 Runs

2010 Projection: .311 - 17 HR's - 66 RBI's - 81 Runs

 

Best of the Rest

 

Chone Figgins - Mariners

He is on a new team, but should be the same old Figgins who batted .298, 5 home runs, 7 triples and stole 41 bases in 2009 for the Angels.

 

Casey McGehee - Brewers

He could crack the top-ten if he plays a full season like he did in 2009 when he batted .301 with 16 home runs with just 355 at bats. He could be a solid .285, 20 home run fantasy third basemen (though he should be starting at second base).

 

Jorge Cantu - Marlins

He is an up and down player, but finished with a solid .289 average, 16 home runs and 100 RBI's in 2009 in addition to popping 29 home runs in 2008. Figure around .280, 20 home runs and 90 RBI's.

 

Ian Stewart - Rockies

He popped 25 home runs with just 425 at bats, but only batted .228. At 24, he has plenty of upside and could hit up to 35 home runs in 2010.

 

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