Total, the third base group for 2025 is a strong cohort with loads of gamers who ought to supply important fantasy manufacturing. However, compared to different positions, the recent nook is stuffed with potential traps as soon as we get previous the headliners, José Ramírez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
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Don’t imagine me? Verify this out:
— Jazz Chisholm Jr. was completely electrical as a member of the Yankees (11 HR, 18 SB in 46 video games). He additionally averaged 94 video games performed throughout the earlier three seasons.
— Rafael Devers was one of the vital constant hitters in baseball till a shoulder damage induced him to hit .168 with a .477 OPS from August 20 earlier than finally being was shut down for the season on September 21. The 28-year-old averted surgical procedure however reported that the damage was traced all the way back to Spring Training, which creates sturdiness issues for this yr.
— Austin Riley appeared like a surefire star through the 2024 draft season earlier than hitting .256 with 19 homers in an injury-impacted marketing campaign. Like many Braves sluggers, he’s a boom-or-bust early-round decide who’s making an attempt to bounce again.
— Royce Lewis is beginning to attract comparisons to teammate Byron Buxton by way of being injury-prone and wildly inconsistent. The 25-year-old might hit .300 with 30 residence runs — or might play in 50 video games.
— Jordan Westburg was within the midst of a breakout season earlier than lacking most of August and September with a damaged hand. Fantasy managers are actually pressured to make use of a top-100 decide on the premise of 4 productive months.
— Junior Caminero could also be a future celebrity and raised his draft inventory by having a spectacular season within the Dominican Winter League. He’ll now require a major draft funding, which is a dangerous proposition contemplating his age (21) and mediocre outcomes (.724 OPS) throughout 43 MLB video games final yr.
You see what I imply? Nonetheless, the potential stars listed above are well worth the threat for a lot of managers because the sizzling nook offers few thrilling sleepers this yr. The truth is, there are not any third basemen who at the moment have a Yahoo ADP between 150-180.
However for many who wish to wait, listed here are some third basemen who might be worth picks.
Proactive Targets
Jazz Chisholm Jr., New York Yankees (Yahoo ADP: 33.8)
Chisholm has a sky-high ceiling, as he’s on the quick record of gamers who might produce 30 homers and 40 steals. The 27-year-old already hit the 40-steal plateau final yr, due to the Yankees choice to let him run wild (18 steals in 46 video games) down the stretch. And enjoying half his video games in New York’s bandbox ought to assist Chisholm to construct on the 24 round-trippers he ripped in 2024. There’s draw back to this injury-prone star, however a high-variance decide is usually a part of a championship gameplan.
Jordan Westburg, Baltimore Orioles (Yahoo ADP: 90.4)
Westburg’s breakout season was minimize quick by a fractured hand, which is supressing his 2025 draft inventory. The teenager’s Statcast web page is stuffed with purple, as he has logged elite marks in key areas comparable to common exit velocity, barrel fee and hard-hit fee. The mix of his wonderful contact abilities, improved well being and the fences coming in at Camden Yards ought to result in Westburg going deep 25-30 occasions this yr. And there’s loads of room for steals development, as his 91st percentile dash pace doesn’t line up together with his meager complete of six from final yr.
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Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays (Yahoo ADP: 106.3)
Like Chisholm, Caminero is a threat price taking. The teenager didn’t blow away the competitors in his first prolonged Main League trial, however holding his personal was a terrific accomplishment for somebody who remains to be simply 21 years previous. Caminero excelled through the Dominican Winter League season and might hit .280 with 25-30 residence runs in his first full yr. One caveat — managers ought to keep minimal steals expectations from somebody with twenty fifth percentile dash pace.
Fades
Royce Lewis, Minnesota Twins (Yahoo ADP: 72.1)
Lewis might be wonderful, however there’s not sufficient threat baked into his present ADP. The 25-year-old is undoubtedly damage inclined, as he has spent rather more time on the IL than the lively roster since he debuted in 2022. And final yr, his on-field efficiency waned for the primary time, as he hit .233 with a .747 OPS. Lewis hardly ever hit the ball arduous in 2024 (87.1 mph common exit velocity), and his twenty eighth percentile dash pace limits his steals potential. He needs to be going two rounds later.
Mark Vientos, New York Mets (Yahoo ADP: 81.9)
Like Lewis, Vientos has a large vary of potential outcomes. The slugger might hit 35 homers throughout a full season, as his common exit velocity (91.2 mph) and barrel fee (14.1%) are wonderful marks. However Vientos scored lowly marks final yr in stroll fee (eighth percentile) and strikeout fee (4th percentile). The plate self-discipline points are so excessive that Vientos, who can also be a poor defender, might ultimately be liable to shedding his beginning job.
Worth picks on the third base place
These 4 gamers have a present ADP between 181 and 246 in Yahoo drafts.
Isaac Paredes, Houston Astros
In the beginning of the offseason, Isaac Paredes appeared like a straightforward candidate for a preseason bust record. In spite of everything, his energy manufacturing took a notable dip since being acquired by the Cubs final summer season, and his batted-ball tendencies (loads of fly balls, mediocre exit velocities) strongly advised that he was not match for Wrigley Area. However the script flipped when Paredes was traded to Houston, as he’ll now play half his video games at a park that’s excellent for his ability set.
Josh Jung, Texas Rangers
Josh Jung was a classy breakout decide final season earlier than accidents restricted him to simply 46 video games. There’s little buzz surrounding the slugger this yr, however so long as his proper wrist appears high quality in spring coaching, Jung stays somebody who’s able to producing 25-30 residence runs and a strong batting common.
Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers
Like Jung, Max Muncy is being downgraded by drafters just because he missed loads of time final yr. However Muncy’s .232 common was a three-year excessive, and he maintained a 30-homer tempo through the 73 video games he performed. An on-base machine who performs in baseball’s most gifted lineup, Muncy solely wants to remain wholesome to go deep 30 occasions whereas accumulating 180 R+RBI. Roto and class managers might want to plan round his low batting mark, whereas the 34-year-old is a star in factors leagues.
Matt Shaw, Chicago Cubs
By late March, Shaw will both be a top-150 decide or an entire afterthought in combined leagues. The Cubs are prepared to provide their greatest prospect each alternative to win the third base job, and with a lifetime .906 OPS within the minors, the 2023 first-round choice appears prepared for the chance. Shaw has the varied ability set that fantasy managers covet, having hit .303 with 29 residence runs and 46 steals in 600 MiLB at-bats. And the icing on the cake is that the 23-year-old will open 2025 with triple-position eligibility (2B/3B/SS) in Yahoo codecs.
Prime-12 Third Baseman Draft Rankings for 2025
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1. José Ramírez, Guardians
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2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
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3. Jazz Chisholm Jr., Yankees
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4. Rafael Devers, Pink Sox
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5. Austin Riley, Braves
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6. Manny Machado, Padres
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7. Jordan Westburg, Orioles
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8. Junior Caminero, Rays
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9. Royce Lewis, Twins
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10. Jake Burger, Rangers
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11. Mark Vientos, Mets
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12. Alex Bregman, Free Agent
