Jeff Hochman's 2009 MLB Fantasy Preview: Third Basemen (3B)


As you might expect this position is also thin and very injury riddled. I bumped Alex Rodriguez from #1 to #5 based on his injury. He is basically undraftable until we know exactly how long he will be out. Someone will either steal him or draft him too soon this year. I personally like drafting guys that start the season 100% healthy.


3-Year Avg. Leaders: (2006-08)


Games Played: David Wright (158)


Batting Average: Chipper Jones (.342)


Home Runs: Alex Rodriguez (41)


Doubles: David Wright (41)


RBI: Alex Rodriguez (127)


Triples: Chone Figgens (5) & Carlos Guillen (5)


Stolen Bases: Chone Figgens (42)


Walks: David Wright (85)


Runs: Alex Rodriguez (120)


Cream of the Crop: #1 David Wright (NYM) #2 Aramis Ramirez (CHC) #3 Chipper Jones (ATL) #4 Garrett Atkins (COL) #5 Alex Rodriguez (NYY)


The Next Best: #6 Evan Longoria (TB) #7 Carlos Guillen (Det) #8 Troy Glaus (Stl) #9 Adrian Beltre (Sea) #10 Chone Figgens (LAA) #11 Casey Blake (LAD) #12 Mark Reynolds (Arz) #13 Mike Lowell (Bos) #14 Melvin Mora (Balt)


You could do worse: #15 Ryan Zimmerman (Wash) #16 Alex Gordon (KC) #17 Jose Cantu (FLA) #18 Edwin Encarnacion (Cinn) #19 Scott Rollen (Tor) #20 Bill Hall (Milw) #21 Joe Crede (Minn) #22 Pedro Feliz (Phill) #23 Hank Blalock (Tex) #24 Eric Chavez (Oak)


Hope and Prey: #25 Kevin Kouzmanoff (SD) #26 Jose Castillo (Wash) #27 Andy Laroche (Pitt) #28 Andy Marte (Clev) #29 Pablo Sandoval (SF) #30 Ramon Vasquez (Pitt) #31 Jack Hannahan (Oak) #32 Nomar Garciaparra (Oak) #33 Greg Dobbs (Phi) #34 Ian Stewart (Col) #35 Travis Metcalf (Tex) #36 Brian Buscher (Minn) #37 Dallas Mcpherson (Fla) #38 Josh Fields (CHW) #39 Willie Aybar (TB) #40 Ty Wigginton (Bal) #41 Jose Bautistia (Tor) #42 Mike Lamb (Milw) #43 Jeff Larish (Det)


Career Year: Evan Longoria (TB) Won AL Rookie of the Year honors by putting up 27 HR, 31 Doubles, and 85 RBI. He only batted .272 and had 122 strikeouts in 122 games played. I think he will cut down his K's while hitting at least 20 points higher. I project him for .292, 30 HR, 36 Doubles, and 93 RBI. Not too shabby!


Sleeper: Alex Gordon (KC) Alex Gordon will be playing his 3rd season and is getting better with each at-bat. Last year he batted .260, with 16 HR, 59 RBI, 35 Doubles, and 9 Steals. He had 14 stolen bases in 2007. His OBP, SLG, and batting average has gotten better with each season. I project him at .300, 23 HR, 88 RBI, 36 Doubles, and 22 Steals. He will be a household name by the end of this year. Book It!


Bust: Mark Reynolds (ARZ) Yes he did hit 28 Dingers with 97 RBI, but what about the 204 strikeouts in 152 games played. He also batted just .239 for the entire year and only .224 the final two months of the season. That is a major Red Flag! Don't touch this guy unless you have no other options.


Good Luck in your Draft!Jeff H/ JHSL
 

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