Below is a chart of every NL third baseman covered in MLB.com's 2008 Fantasy Preview, a rundown that includes established big leaguers and up-and-coming prospects.
The list features dollar values compiled by our MLB.com staff based on standard 23-man, $260, 5x5 NL-league play. We included projected stats for the 2008 season as well as a one-liner prediction that encapsulates every player's value in 10 words or fewer. This page will be updated throughout the spring to reflect the impact of inevitable transactions, injuries and changing job situations.
An indispensable part of the draft-day kit, the cheat sheet can make the difference between winning and losing your fantasy league. With quick-hitting rankings and forecasts, it'll help you keep the remaining players on the board in order as the draft wears on. The last thing you want to be doing is flipping through some magazine when it's your turn to pick.
So play fair, but don't forget your cheat sheet when you head to your draft.
| Third Base |
TM |
$$ |
Avg |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
Notes |
| David Wright | NYM | 42 | .322 | 112 | 32 | 111 | 27 | Already among the best and still getting better. |
| Ryan Braun | MIL | 38 | .289 | 111 | 39 | 107 | 19 | Budding star, even if he declines after historic debut. |
| Aramis Ramirez | CHC | 33 | .303 | 95 | 37 | 119 | 1 | Consistent, reliable slugger still capable of a career year. |
| Garrett Atkins | COL | 26 | .311 | 94 | 27 | 109 | 2 | Last year was no fluke, so expect more of the same. |
| Chipper Jones | ATL | 25 | .322 | 90 | 26 | 89 | 4 | A force when healthy, but have a backup plan. |
| Ryan Zimmerman | WAS | 25 | .290 | 86 | 24 | 108 | 6 | Move from RFK could lead to breakout season. |
| Edwin Encarnacion | CIN | 17 | .292 | 79 | 21 | 84 | 11 | Hot streaks show upside, but needs consistency. |
| Troy Glaus | STL | 15 | .257 | 72 | 29 | 85 | 0 | Will miss Roger Centre but enjoy playing on grass again. |
| Kevin Kouzmanoff | SD | 15 | .292 | 74 | 19 | 83 | 2 | Bat emerged in second half, but Chase Headley looms. |
| Ty Wigginton | HOU | 15 | .272 | 68 | 23 | 87 | 1 | Should enjoy his new park and favorable lineup spot. |
| Yunel Escobar | ATL | 12 | .305 | 90 | 8 | 55 | 10 | Primed to excel in everyday role. |
| Mark Reynolds | ARI | 10 | .247 | 65 | 17 | 59 | 1 | Capable of 30 homers and alarming strikeout totals. |
| Chad Tracy | ARI | 8 | .281 | 61 | 12 | 51 | 1 | Must overcome injury and Mark Reynolds to reclaim job. |
| Pedro Feliz | PHI | 7 | .251 | 78 | 24 | 80 | 0 | Won't miss AT&T but still looking for a job elsewhere. |
| Jose Bautista | PIT | 6 | .258 | 64 | 17 | 63 | 4 | Late bloomer with some pop an NL-only sleeper. |
| Mark DeRosa | CHC | 6 | .284 | 63 | 10 | 57 | 2 | Super-utilityman has likely already peaked. |
| Chase Headley | SD | 5 | .280 | 57 | 12 | 60 | 1 | Switch-hitter with pop deserves shot. |
| Bill Hall | MIL | 5 | .274 | 68 | 18 | 66 | 6 | No lock to bounce back from '07 struggles. |
| Nomar Garciaparra | LAD | 4 | .281 | 56 | 11 | 52 | 4 | Andy LaRoche's injury offers fading vet new life. |
| Andy LaRoche | LAD | 4 | .274 | 48 | 9 | 44 | 1 | Thumb injury could sideline him until June. |
| Ryan Freel | CIN | 3 | .259 | 50 | 4 | 20 | 25 | Likely to be forced back into utility role. |
| Rich Aurilia | SF | 2 | .268 | 35 | 8 | 41 | 1 | Huge home park squashes value. |
| Greg Dobbs | PHI | 1 | .278 | 59 | 11 | 56 | 4 | Solid platoon bat makes him worthwhile in NL-only play. |
| Ian Stewart | COL | 1 | .271 | 41 | 9 | 42 | 4 | Power-hitting 3B giving 2B a try. |
| Wes Helms | PHI | 1 | .248 | 26 | 7 | 25 | 0 | Has limited upside to match limited role. |
| Jose Castillo | FLA | 1 | .255 | 26 | 6 | 30 | 1 | Light bat for a MI, never mind 3B. |
| Jeff Keppinger | CIN | 1 | .314 | 42 | 6 | 38 | 3 | Good average hitter could see extended PT. |
| Alfredo Amezaga | FLA | 1 | .268 | 30 | 2 | 16 | 9 | PT likely to drop with OF prospect Maybin on board. |
| Aaron Boone | WAS | 1 | .265 | 21 | 5 | 21 | 1 | Useful bat but will struggle for playing time. |
| Tony Abreu | LAD | 1 | .288 | 18 | 1 | 19 | 1 | Hits for a little AVG but has little power or speed. |
| Shea Hillenbrand | FA | 1 | .248 | 16 | 4 | 18 | 0 | Former RBI machine looking for work. |
| Dallas McPherson | FLA | 1 | .216 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 0 | Opportunities running out for former prospect. |
| Alex Cintron | CHC | 1 |
.259 | 16 | 2 | 18 |
1 | Backup infielder has minimal value.
|
| Russell Branyan | MIL | 1 | .219 | 19 | 7 | 23 | 0 | Will hurt your AVG even if he hits a few HR. |
| Jeff Cirillo | FA | 1 | .262 | 14 | 2 | 16 | 0 | Utility player and pinch-hitter has no value. |
| Neil Walker | PIT | 1 | .260 | 15 | 3 | 14 | 2 | Could be ready for PIT hot corner. |
| Scott Spiezio | FA | 1 | .268 | 26 | 4 | 28 | 0 | Great chin scruff, but no team. |
| Corey Koskie | MIL | 1 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Concussion may have ended solid career. |
| Abraham Nunez | PHI | 1 | .216 | 11 | 0 | 8 | 0 | Can only hurt, not help, your team. |
| Matt Kata | PIT | 1 | .234 | 10 | 1 | 10 | 0 | Utilityman without upside or playing time. |
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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