Fantasy Baseball Player Rankings & Projections
2008 Third Base Preseason Preview
Alex Rodriguez
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Arod exploded in '07 after
a sub par '06. So what can fantasy owners expect
in '08? |
1. Alex Rodriguez - Yankees - 2008 Preview:
Arod made many fantasy owners pay after he was passed over
and slipped to the end of the first-round in many drafts.
After all, he only batted .290 and hit just 35 home runs
in 2006. The question is, was he playing for a new contract?
Do players have the ability to be that much better because
of a contract? Well, the statistics say yes, even if the
theory is a bit overblown. So what will Arod do now that
he has a new contract? Don't expect the the same numbers
as 2007, but he still will put up strong enough numbers
to keep the #1 slot at third base and could finish #1 overall
again. Keep in mind that the third base position is stacked
for the 2008 fantasy season.
2007 Statistics:
.314 - 54 HR's - 155 RBI's - 143 Runs.
2008 Projection:
.312 - 47 HR's - 139 RBI's - 129 Runs.
2. Ryan Braun - Brewers - 2008 Preview:
You have to roll the dice every now and then to win in fantasy
baseball and here is our small gamble. With Miguel Cabrera
and David Wright, both proven young veterans at the position
we have chosen Braun to take the second slot. Usually a
proven record prevails, but Braun just looked too good to
pass at #2. He hit 23 home runs and had 65 RBI's in the
second half when he started every day. Those are Arod numbers...from
a 24-year-old rookie. His youthful speed gave him nice inside
numbers which included 26 doubles, 6 triples and 15 stolen
bases. His only flaw is his 29-112 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
2007 Statistics:
.324 - 34 HR's - 97 RBI's - 91 Runs.
2008 Projection:
.316 - 40 HR's - 120 RBI's - 110 Runs.
3. (Tie) David Wright - Mets - 2008 Preview:
He is simply the best all-around third basemen in baseball.
He is a member of the rare 30-30 club, he smacked 42 doubles
and he has a very good 94 to 115 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
He is everything you need for a fantasy stud, especially
in roto leagues. His numbers have consistently improved
over his first three years, though we believe he has reached
his potential.
2007 Statistics:
.325 - 30 HR's - 107 RBI's - 113 Runs.
2008 Projection: .321
- 28 HR's - 110 RBI's - 111 Runs.
3. (Tie) Miguel Cabrera - Tigers - 2008
Preview:
His trade to the Detroit Tigers propelled Cabrera back into
the top ten overall rankings and into a tie with David Wright
as the #3 third basemen in fantasy baseball. He is a lifetime
.313 hitter after 5 seasons and he is just going to be 25-years-old.
Wright has better speed, but Cabrera has more potential
coming into one of the best line-ups in the major leagues.
2007 Statistics:
.320 - 34 HR's - 119 RBI's - 91 Runs.
2008 Projection:
.335 - 36 HR's - 127 RBI's - 115 Runs.
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4. Aramis Ramírez - Cubs - 2008
Preview:
He continues to be one of the more underrated players in
fantasy baseball. With the third base position loaded, it
is easy to see why he slips through the cracks, but his
numbers, though a shade under, hang right there with both
Cabrera and Wright. Remember he missed many games with an
injury and finished with just 510 at bats. He only struck
out 66 times while drawing 43 walks and hit 35 doubles.
He has averaged about 35 home runs 108 RBI's and a .306
average over the last 5 years.
2007 Statistics:
.310 - 26 HR's - 101 RBI's - 72 Runs.
2008 Projection:
.307 - 34 HR's - 114 RBI's - 95 Runs.
5. Garrett Atkins - Rockies - 2008 Preview:
He didn't take the big step up like many owners had hoped,
but he still had a very good year and he still plays in
Colorado. His 2005 season included 48 doubles and a marvelous
79 walks to 76 strikeouts. In 2006 those numbers fell to
35 doubles and a still good 67 to 96 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
2007 Statistics:
.301 - 25 HR's - 111 RBI's - 83 Runs.
2008 Projection:
.312 - 27 HR's - 110 RBI's - 99 Runs.
6. Chone Figgins - Angels - 2008 Preview:
Another very underrated fantasy third basemen, especially
in roto leagues. Figgins only had 442 at bats due to injury
in 2007 and still had 24 doubles, 6 triples and 41 stolen
bases. He should be good for about 30 doubles, 10 triples,
50 stolen bases and over 100 runs in 2008.
2007 Statistics:
.330 - 3 HR's - 58 RBI's - 81 Runs.
2008 Projection: .318
- 9 HR's - 70 RBI's - 116 Runs.
