Hi Sports Fans!

Baseball starts in less than 3 weeks and I know every team like the back of my hand. I have been writing baseball articles for numerous websites since the beginning of the Year. I am ready for a Monster winning year. Below is my 2010 MLB Fantasy Preview (Third Baseman) and if you missed any other position previews please visit this website.


JH-Sportsline's 2010 MLB Fantasy Preview: Third Basemen


I would consider 3B to be very thin on proven talent but has the potential to be a deep fantasy position this season. It all depends on the young guys. You might say that Chipper Jones at #11 is too ranked too low. He does lead in two of the stats below but he will be 38 on June 4th. If he can stay healthy he would get bumped up at least five spots. His .307 career batting average with 426 Dingers is very impressive. Pablo Sandoval makes the biggest jump on my entire Infield preview. He goes from #29 in 2009 to #4 this season. Admittedly, he was ranked too low last season.


3-Year Avg. Leaders: (2007-09)


Games Played: David Wright (155)

Batting Average: Chipper Jones (.321)

Home Runs: Alex Rodriguez (40)

Doubles: David Wright (41)

RBI: Alex Rodriguez (120)

Triples: Chone Figgens (5)

Stolen Bases: Chone Figgens (39)

Walks: Chipper Jones (91)

Runs: Alex Rodriguez (108)

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Cream of the Crop: #1 Alex Rodriguez (NYY) #2 Evan Longoria (TB) #3 David Wright (NYM) #4 Pablo Sandoval (SF) #5 Ryan Zimmerman (Wash)


The Next Best: #6 Aramis Ramirez (CHC) #7 Michael Young (Tex) #8 Mark Reynolds (ARZ) #9 Chone Figgens (Sea) #10 Jorge Cantu (FLA) #11 Chipper Jones (ATL) #12 Mark Teahen (CHW) #13 Adrian Beltre (Bos) #14 Jhonny Peralta (Clev) #15 Casey Blake (LAD) #16 Ian Stewart (Col)


You could do worse: #17 Edwin Encarnacion (Tor) #18 Alex Gordon (KC) #19 Kevin Kouzmanoff (Oak) #20 Brandon Wood (LAA) #21 Brandon Inge (Det) #22 Pedro Feliz (Hou) #23 Placido Polanco (Phi) #24 Scott Rollen (Reds) #20 Emilo Bonifacio (FLA) #21 Joe Crede (Minn) #22 Brendan Harris (Minn) #23 Casey McGhee (Milw) #24 Andy LaRoche (Pit)


Hope and Prey: #25 Troy Glaus (Atl) #26 Bill Hall (Bos) #27 Eric Chavez (Oak) #28 Jeff Keppinger (Hou) #29 Josh Fields (KC) #30 Jake Fox (Oak) #31 Mat Gamel (Milw) #32 Brett Wallace (Tor) #33 Geoff Blum (Hou) #34 Juan Uribe (SF) #35 David Freese (Stl) #36 Melvin Mora (Col) #37 Ty Wigginton (Balt) #38 Mike Fontenot (Cubs) #39 Pedro Alvarez (Pit) #40 Chris Johnson (Hou) #41 Marc DeRosa (SF) #42 Jamey Carroll (LAD)

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Career Year: Evan Longoria (TB) Last year we had Evan Longoria as our "Career Year" player and he had one Monster of a season. I love him even more this season. He improved in every single offensive category from his rookie season two years ago. He batted .280, 33 HRs, 113 RBI, 100 runs, 44 Doubles, 72 walks, and 9 stolen bases in 2008. Look for less strikeouts and more walks this season. I project Evan at .288, 35 HRs, 117 RBI, 40 Doubles, 80 Walks, and 14 Stolen Bases. Has a tremendous work ethic at just 24 years young. Take him!

Sleeper: Chone Figgens (SEA) Don't pass him up. Figgens always had value as a base stealer with the potential to hit .300, but he took his game to another level just in time for free agency. He established himself as one of the best lead-off hitters in MLB, nearly doubling his career high in walks to lead the AL with 101. He also set a career-high in runs with 114. He will bat second behind Ichiro and should score a ton of runs. Look for about 40-45 steals with a solid .280 average. Staying in the AL West should help his transition to a new team.

Bust: Mark Reynolds (ARZ) Mark ended last season hitting .187 in September and has looked lost at the plate this Spring. He struck out 223 (Major League Record) last season, but hit 44 HRs with a surprising 24 steals. His batting average will hurt you and for all his power he doesn't score enough runs or hit a high number of Doubles. That's were the K's come into play. You have no chance of accumulating points if he can't put the ball in play. No way he hits close to 44 HRs like he did last season. I say 30 at best. Going down!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JEFF H www.VegasTopDogs.com
 

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