For sure, it is time to get excited about baseball, both real and fantasy. As I was preparing this article, I realized it is my last one for the month of February. The next one that I write will appear in March. Spring will have officially sprung! Actual baseball will actually be occurring, Preparation for the season is in high gear. To further assist in that process, may I present this Fantasy Baseball Third-Base Tiers edition?

As with all my articles, found on the Belly Up Fantasy Website, debate and discussion are highly encouraged. Do you agree or disagree? Let’s talk about it! Now, without further delay, let’s get to it.

Tier One

Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians, age 31, 156 games, .282-24-80, 172 hits, 87 runs, 73K, 73BB, 28 SB, 6 CS, .356/.475/.831, .285 BAbip, 131 OPS+, .192 ISO, 10.6 SO%, 10.6 BB%, FantasyPros: 1, ESPN: 1.

Comment: as with my second base tier rankings, there is one player that stands alone at the top. In this case, that player is Ramirez. In my estimation, he is the only third baseman that is first round draft worthy, regardless of format.

The good news? That is a true statement, even with Ramirez coming off, for him, a down season in 2023. After all, he is one season removed from leading the league in doubles and posting 126 RBIs. Further, he is the only third baseman that has had 20 or more steals in each of his last five full seasons. If you are looking for a third baseman in the first round of drafts, Ramirez is your only consideration.

Tier Two

Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves, age 26, 159 games, .281-37-97, 179 hits, 117 runs, 172K, 59BB, .345/.516/.861, 128 OPS+, .324 BAbip, .234 ISO, 24.1 SO%, 8.3 BB%, FantasyPros: 2, ESPN: 4.

Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox, age 27, 153 games, .271-33-100, 90 runs, 157 hits, 126K, 62BB, .351/.500/.851, 126 OPS+, .229 ISO, 19.3 SO%, 9.5 BB%, .292 BAbip, FantasyPros: 3, ESPN: 2.

Alex Bregman, Houston Astros, age 29, 161 games, .262-25-98, 103 runs, 163 hits, 87K, 92BB, .363/.441/.804, 122 OPS+, .178 ISO, .270 BAbip, 12.0 SO%, 12.7 BB%, FantasyPros: 9, ESPN: 3.

Comment: After Ramirez come three quality third basemen. While not first round material, these three will go high in drafts and they have clearly earned the honor. ESPN has Riley ranked behind Devers and Bregman, but I don’t agree. He is the youngest of the three and hits in the best lineup.

Riley’s SO% and BB% are worse than the others, no question about that. However, he will only get better. If it weren’t for the presence of Ramirez, he would be my top third baseman for 2024. With that being said, any manager that winds up with one of the other two, will be extremely pleased on draft day.

A special mention on this Fantasy Baseball Third-Base Tiers edition regards Bregman. 2024 is the final one on his contract. He has every incentive to put up great numbers this season. Houston still has an excellent hitting lineup. In my opinion, he is ranked a bit too high on ESPN. Even so, Bregman is due for one of the best seasons of his career.

Tier Three

Nolan Arenado, St. Louis Cardinals, age 32, 144 games, .266-26-93, 71 runs, 149 hits, 101K, 41BB, .315/.450/.774, 109 OPS+, .279 BAbip, .193 ISO, 16.5 SO%, 8.7 BB%, .211 ISO, FantasyPros: 10, ESPN: 7.

Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles, age 22, 150 games, .255-18-82, 100 runs, 143 hits, 159K, 56BB, .328/.489/.814, 125 OPS+, .306 BAbip, .234 ISO, 25.6 SO%, 9.0 BB%, FantasyPros: 4, ESPN: 5.

Comment: In this tier, we have players that are widely different in their current career arcs. Arenado has been around for ages while Henderson is coming off his rookie season. No question, what a rookie season it was. Henderson was the rookie-of-the-year winner while also finishing eighth in MVP voting.

The only question about him is that he isn’t healthy yet in spring training. He has an oblique issue, but it should be fully healed by Opening Day. It is a situation well worthy monitoring. If all goes as planned, this Fantasy Baseball Third-Base Tiers says draft him with confidence.

As for Arenado, like Ramirez, he is coming off a down season. The hits, runs, homers and RBIs were his fewest in a full season since 2014. Before 2023, Arenado had driven in 100 or more runs in seven straight full years.

St. Louis, as a whole, was much worse last year than anyone could have predicted. Without doubt, they will be better in 2024. Anticipate the same out of Arenado. Being 32 isn’t that old. Expect him to return to his previous heights and justify a high selection on draft day.

Tier Four

Manny Machado, San Diego Padres, age 31, 138 games, .258-30-91, 75 runs, 140 hits, 109K, 50BB, .319/.462/.782, .268 BAbip, 115 OPS+ .204 ISO, 18.1 SO%, 8.3 BB%, FantasyPros: 6, ESPN: 6

Royce Lewis, Minnesota Twins, age 24, 58 games, .309-15-52, 36 runs, 67 hits, 55K, 20BB, .372/.548/.921, .354 BAbip, 150 OPS+, .240 ISO, 23.0 SO%, 8.4 BB%, FantasyPros 7, ESPN 8.

Isaac Paredes, Tampa Bay Rays, age 25, 143 games, .250-31-98, 71 runs, 123 hits, 104K, 58BB, .352/.488,/840, .257 BAbip, 131 OPS+, .238 ISO, 18.2 SO%, 10.2 BB%, FantasyPros: 19, ESPN: 10.

Comment: When speaking of down years, Machado was the leader of the pack in 2023. Even though he finished with 30 homers, his season was a down right disappointment. At times, it seemed like he was more with arguing about the new rules in baseball than simply playing the game.

Additionally, like the Cardinals, the Padres club wasn’t nearly what any of us were looking for last year. I fully expect a comeback season from Machado. By and large, he was a second round draft pick a year ago. It won’t cost nearly as much capital to pick him in 2024, and he will return value where he is drafted.

As for Lewis, he only played in 58 games a year ago, but there were positive signs regarding his play going forward. More than likely, that BAbip isn’t sustainable, but don’t expect a big drop in that area. The fact that he hit 15 homers in such few games gives a big indication of his power potential. No question in my mind, Lewis is a top ten third base candidate in 2024.

Next up is another youngster who is coming off an excellent season. Of course, I am referring to Paredes. The BA isn’t impressive, but check out that OBP. Add in the 31 home runs and we have a complete fantasy player on our hands.

His SO% is ideal for a 30 homer player. Even so, best of all, his 1B and 3B eligibility only adds to his value. That top ten ranking on ESPN takes that down just a bit, however. Keep an eye on him during the draft, and if he starts to slide a bit, jump all over Paredes.

Tier Five

Spencer Steer, Cincinnati Reds, age 26, 156 games, .271-23-86, 74 runs, 158 hits, 139K, 68BB, .356/.464/.820, .318 BAbip, 119 OPS+, .192 ISO, 20.9 SO%, 10.2 BB%, FantasyPros: 12, ESPN: 13.

Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies, age 27, 145 games, .274-20-97, 74 runs, 153 hits, 94K, 42BB, .327/.437/.765, 108 OPS+, .296 BAbip, .163 ISO, 15.4 SO%, 6.9 BB%, FantasyPros: 16, ESPN: 11.

Ha Seong Kim, San Diego Padres, age 28, 152 games, .260-17-60, 84 runs, 140 hits, 124K, 75BB, .351/.398/.749, .306 BAbip, .138 ISO, 110 OPS+, 19.8 SO%, 12.0 BB%, FantasyPros: 9, ESPN: 9.

Comment: When it comes to adaptability, no one has it like Steer. He is qualified at 1B, 3B and the OF. There are too many players vying for roles on the Reds. However, one thing we can be sure of, Steer will be in their lineup somewhere. He is young and plays every day. He won’t cost as much draft capital as those above him. Without doubt, that increases his value significantly on this Fantasy Baseball Third-Base Tiers edition. Once the draft begins, look to add Steer to your roster.

While Bohm doesn’t have the versatility that Steer has, his eligibility at first and third can’t be ignored. Neither can the fact that he is hitting in one of the best lineups in all of baseball. Expect more homers and runs scored and for him to drive in more than 100 runs. His value on ESPN isn’t nearly what it is on FantasyPros, but in either case, Bohm is well worth calling his name on draft day.

Regarding Kim, I wrote about him in my Fantasy Baseball Second-Base Tiers edition. Everything said there applies here as well.

Third Base Value

Eugenio Suarez, Arizona Diamondbacks, age 32, 162 games, .232-22-96, 68 runs, 139 hits, 214K, 70BB, .323/.391/.714, 101 OPS+, .314 BAbip, .159 ISO, 30.8 SO%, 10.1 BB%, FantasyPros: 24, ESPN: 23

Comment: Certainly, it may seem strange that Suarez could be a value after all the time that he has been in the big leagues. However, that 24 and 23 rankings propels him to the top. He won’t cost a valuable pick to get him. The very fact that he will be the starting third baseman for the N.L. Champions can only help his situation.

To be clear, in no way am I suggesting that Suarez should be anyone’s idea of a starting third baseman in fantasy. However, late in the draft, there are few players that have the potential to contribute to a fantasy team like he does.

Third Basemen to be Cautious of

Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers, age 33, 135 games, .212-36-105, 95 runs, 102 hits, 153K, 85BB, .333/.475/.808, 137 OPS+, .331 BAbip, .237 ISO, 27.3 SO%, 8.7 BB%, FantasyPros: 12, ESPN: 18

Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds, age 22, 98 games, .235-13-44, 67 runs, 91 hits, 144K, 35BB, .300/.410/.710, 89 OPS+, .366 BAbip, .175 ISO, 33.7 SO%, 8.2 BB%, 35 SB, 8 CS, FantasyPros 5, ESPN 8

Comment: Before anyone’s head explodes, let me explain why De La Cruz is placed in the caution tier. He arrived in the big leagues last year like a supernova. He was as electric as just about any player in recent memory.

The problem is that since De La Cruz is ranked in the top five, he’ll have to hit his ceiling to provide good value at that draft spot. If you think that will happen, go ahead and pull the trigger. Just be aware of what you could be getting into before doing so.

Truthfully, the steals are great, but he will have to cut down that ugly SO%, There is a zero chance he can maintain that BAbip. Be aware, that’s all I am saying on this Fantasy Baseball Third-Base Tiers edition.

As for Muncy, the homers, RBIs and runs scored looks great from last year. However, there are storm clouds on the horizon. His BAbip is unsustainable. His SO% is high and likely will not get any better.

Muncy will have to completely hit his ceiling to justify where he is ranked. Like De La Cruz, he may well do that. Even so, pay attention to the storm clouds and research Muncy heavily before pulling the lever on him on draft day.

Third Base Fallers

DJ LeMathieu, New York Yankees, age 35, 136 games, .243-15-44, 55 runs, 121 hits, 125K, 60BB, .327/.390/.718, 96 OPS+, .295 BAbip, .147 ISO, 27.3 SO%, 11.5 BB%, FantasyPros: 22, ESPN 27

Matt Chapman, FA, age 30, 140 games, .240-17-54, 66 runs, 122 hits, 165K, 62BB, .330/.424/.54, 108 OPS+, .319 BAbip, .185 ISO, 22.2 SO%, 10.7 BB%, FantasyPros: 22, ESPN 24

Comment: Even though LeMathieu is potentially one of the best hitting lineups in baseball, he isn’t worth a selection on draft day. He is a long way from the player that hit 26 homers and drove in 102 runs in 2019. He hasn’t topped 15 homers in a season since. Worst of all, he isn’t an every day player at this stage of his career. Don’t allow the Yankee mystique fool you and pass on LaMathieu.

Last, but not least, is Chapman. As of this writing, he hasn’t signed with any team this spring. Even if he did, his bat leaves a lot to be desired. His defense is still solid, but the lumber has given out on him. In no way, shape or form, no matter the format, should any manager waste a draft pick on Chapman this year.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this Fantasy Baseball Third-Base Tiers edition! Debate and discussion are always encouraged when it comes to my fantasy articles. Do you agree or disagree? Have another first baseman or two in mind? Let’s talk about it.

The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show will be live every Sunday at 8 pm Eastern from here to the end of the fantasy season, at the least. Don’t miss out! In our last episode, we discussed our catchers tiers, risers and players to be cautious of.

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