Preparing for the 2008 fantasy baseball season, third base is again headlined by Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees. This year though, he has even more company surrounding him in that top spot. In RotoKingdom’s official mock draft, three other third basemen, David Wright, Miguel Cabrera, and Ryan Braun, were also selected in round one. A-Rod’s value as the top pick in most drafts is obvious as a HR/SB threat who can also hit for average and is a big time run producer. Basically, A-Rod is a 5-cat stud. This is also true about Wright and Braun though and Cabrera rivals A-Rod’s power just without some of the speed. Like I said, A-Rod headlines the third base position, but he’s got some extra company now.

Those are the easy picks though. You can’t really go too wrong in round one. Maybe you take David Wright over Braun and then Braun surprisingly continues every part of his torrid 2007 pace, but either way, you have David Wright who is still an elite fantasy player. The only note I would make on those top four is to be careful with Braun. He looked outstanding last year and is a stud, but temper your expectations. There will likely be bumps in the road still and Braun shouldn't be counted on to top his 2007 numbers by all that much, even with a full season. Aramis Ramirez, Garrett Atkins, and Chipper Jones are the next set of power hitting third basemen who could be vital to your fantasy team. All three are likely going to hit around 30 HR’s and help you around the board with the exception of steals. They offer good value in rounds 5-7, with SB specialist Chone Figgins also being worked in the mix in that area. To follow them will be Ryan Zimmerman and Adrian Beltre who also provide similar value to Ramirez, Atkins, and Jones, but just not quite on the same level.

What everyone wants to know though is who’s going to be the bust out candidate. The player who could out produce their draft position by a large margin. Guys like Miguel Cabrera, Chipper Jones, and Ryan Zimmerman have the potential to do so, but they’re pretty solidified. Cabrera moving to Detroit could see extra run producing chances and could receive extra AB’s being a part of a lineup that works around the order quicker. Chipper Jones seems to get 30 HR’s in 120 games every year, so if he were to stay healthy and hit 40 he would likely out produce something like a round 6 selection. Finally, Zimmerman has the tools to work his way into the ranks of the best third basemen in the league and raise all his stats a bit, but that seems somewhat unlikely following a season where he played 162 games and still returns to a pretty dreadful Washington Nationals lineup. Alex Gordon is another who could have a nice year, but may go early enough in drafts that it’s not worth taking the chance.

A few deeper selections that I’ve come up with include Edwin Encarnacion, Hank Blalock, Josh Fields, Troy Glaus, Eric Chavez, and Evan Longoria. Edwin Encarnacion is a favorite sleeper candidate of many of the experts here at RotoKingdom. Encarnacion came in at number 12 on our rankings and Dleoboyd and SethBeno, really predicting a bust out, had him as high as 8th and 7th respectively. Encarnacion has a lot of raw power, and is somewhat proven at the MLB level hitting 15 and 16 HR’s the past two years as he was in and out of the lineup. He should be a decent run producer and could add some steals in the Reds order. Similarly, Josh Fields is a solid young power candidate at third. A former first round pick, Fields hit 23 HR’s in just 373 AB’s last year filling in for Joe Crede. He will likely take over full time at third for the White Sox this year and is a nice sleeper option at the position. Both Fields and Encarnacion are worth taking chances on in the middle rounds of your draft.

Hank Blalock returned in a big way late last season after missing the majority of the year to injury. In 58 games Blalock hit 10 HR’s and batted .293. Another positive note was Blalock hitting .298 off of lefties. It was a small sample size and is no sure indicator, but it is a positive note considering the biggest beef against Blalock in the past was that he couldn’t hit lefties. Before this past year, Blalock had been generally healthy, so I’m willing to trust his health this year. If he stays on the field, he could get back to his 25-30 HR self. Unlike Blalock, Eric Chavez and Troy Glaus are two guys I wouldn’t bet on to stay healthy, but are still big power threats in their own right. Glaus hit 38 HR’s in 2006 and 37 in 2005. If you need a power bat, don’t be afraid to take a chance on Glaus. Chavez is only worthy of a late round flier at this point, but even amidst injuries has still averaged a HR every 22 AB’s the past two years. If healthy, he could still produce at a solid level.

Finally, Evan Longoria is the unknown of my deeper picks. He will be given a chance to win the Rays third base job out of spring training and should be able to do so. If that happens, Longoria, one of baseball’s best prospects, and a former 3rd overall pick, will bring a big bat and good plate discipline to the club. In 485 minor league AB’s last year, Longoria hit 26 HR’s. Take a chance on him late in drafts, especially in dynasty and keeper leagues.

- Dustin Ward - RotoKingdom Staff Writer