SGE Fantasy Baseball Preview: Third Base

Sleeper Pick

The wait for baseball season to start is almost over and with it heating up just 10 days away from Opening Day, it’s only fitting that we take a look at the hot corner. The third base position is a close resemblance to the catcher spot in that you will not find an abundance of power here outside of a selected few. In the hot corner if you weren’t lucky enough to draft an elite player, the middle of the pack will look bland and bleak. Don’t fret because the middle of the pack guys here can still be plugged in and do quite well for you all season long. It’s a toss up depending on your draft strategy on when you want to draft the third base position. If you want an elite third baseman, go early, but if your willing to settle for the mid pack guys you can afford to stack up elsewhere. Those at the top of the position are of course New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez, New York Mets David Wright and Tampa Bay Rays Evan Longoria but lets go deeper.

Breakout Player: Casey McGehee, Milwaukee Brewers

• McGehee has only a one-year to his resume and predicting what he will do with 162 games and 500 at bats is difficult.  But looking at what his typical minor league season was similar to the 116 games he racked up in the major leagues, with a slightly less batting average. You should be able to see close to 20 home runs, 80 RBI’s and right around a .300 average in a position all to his own.

Sleeper Player: Brandon Wood, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

• Wood put up eye -popping power numbers in the minors and hasn’t had much of a chance to show case those skills in the majors on a consistent basis. This year Wood will have his first taste of significant playing opportunity to play time as he’ll be the starter at third. He’s 25 and skill suggest a breakout year that will more than likely not be one anyone’s radar come draft day. Don’t let his production by the All-Star when you start looking to see if Wood is available on the waiver wire because he won’t.

Risky Player: Larry (Chipper) Jones, Atlanta Braves

• Injuries are not only taking a toll on Jones physically but they are mentally too as he made the announcement that if he was to have another year production like last year it would be his last. It doesn’t help that Jones turns 38 in April. He’s been one of the best baseball best third basemen of all time but unfortunately time does eventually catch up to all and last year was a good indication.  The 2009 season was his worst he’s ever experienced with a .264 average, only 18 home runs and another miserable year in Jones standards with 71 RBI’s.

Slipping Player: Mike Lowell, Boston Red Sox

• What better way to show your a risk for 162 game season than to when the team that trades for you has to return to sender because of you being damaged goods. That’s the case with Lowell when the Red Sox traded him to the Texas Rangers but was returned after doctors discovered a ligament tear in his thumb. That lead to thumb surgery and Boston acquiring free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre. Lowell tired toward the end of last season contributed to an ailing hip after surgery in 2008. He did hit above his career batting average but it was only in 119 games. Lowell just turned 36 in February as well.

Be sure to come back for the preview of outfield position.