Fantasy Baseball 2010 Third Basemen Rankings: Pre-Camp Version

We've been unveiling the first edition of our 2010 fantasy baseball rankings all week, and now we come to those at the hot corner. Alex Rodriguez shrugged off injury concerns and missed time at the beginning of 2009 to put up another A-Rodian fantasy season. The same ol', same ol' from Rodriguez puts him back at the top of the third basemen rankings, where he belongs.

When I talked about Mark Reynolds in his All Eyes On ... segment, I mentioned preferring Ryan Zimmerman to the breakout slugger. I thought this would be contrarian to the popular way of thinking, but by and large Zimmerman has been selected over Reynolds in several early mock drafts I have witnessed. Three of our four writers also favored Zimmerman over Reynolds. Could the 44-HR, 24-SB slugger actually represent value this season?

Player	Team
1. Alex Rodriguez	Yankees
A-Rod's numbers have been in steady decline, but so has the number of games he's played in each year. If he can stick it out for 150-plus this season, he could approach 40 HRs one more time. Unanimous No. 1
2009: .286 AVG, 30 HR, 100 RBI, 78 R, 14 SB
2. Evan Longoria	Rays
At only 23 years old, Longoria his first 30-HR season in the majors. If he can continue to grow, he's well-positioned to win the title of game's best 3B from A-Rod within the next few years. Avg: 2.25; Best: 2; Worst: 3
2009: .281-33-113-100-9
3. David Wright	Mets
How much of the old David Wright will we get back this year? Considering he's entering the magic age-27 season, we may get all of it back ... and more. I'd count on a 25/25 rebound season. Avg: 2.75; Best: 2; Worst: 3
2009: .307-10-72-88-27
4. Ryan Zimmerman	Nationals
Zimmerman is about as experienced as 25-year-olds get, and he took steps in 2009 to become one of the game's elites at the positions. Think a one-year old version of Longoria that you can get 2-3 rounds later. Avg: 4.25; Best: 4; Worst: 5
2009: .292-33-106-110-2
5. Mark Reynolds	Diamondbacks
The Strikeout King put up video game-type numbers in 2009, but how much of it can he recapture in 2010? His swing-for-the-fences style will keep that BA suppressed, so keep that in mind. Avg: 4.75; Best: 4; Worst: 5
2009: .260-44-102-98-24
6. Kevin Youkilis	Red Sox
Keeper-league Youk owners bemoan the addition of Adrian Beltre, as Youk's stats play much better here at third. Missed time each year has kept his stats down, but a 150-plus game season could have him top 30 HRs. Avg: 6; Best: 6; Worst: 6
2009: .305-27-94-99-7
7. Aramis Ramirez	Cubs
A lengthy stint on the DL with shoulder woes wreaked havoc to Ramirez's overall line, but he's still quite young enough (31) to bounce back to full value. Should he start to slip thanks to his '09 line, snatch him up. Avg: 7.5; Best: 7; Worst: 8
2009: .317-15-65-46-2
8. Pablo Sandoval	Giants
Panda-monium swept the Bay area in 2009, as Sandoval maintained a high BA while packing on some power. at the age of 23. Twenty-three? That means we could see even more growth this year. Avg: 7.75; Best: 7; Worst: 9
2009: .330-25-90-84-5
9. Chone Figgins	Mariners
The one-trick pony is taking his act to Seattle. Figgins needs to run often to be an effective fantasy player, and he should do just that in 2010. At 32 and with no power to speak of, Figgins may do more harm to your team than good. Avg: 9; Best: 8; Worst: 10
2009: .298-5-54-114-42
10. Gordon Beckham	White Sox
Beckham didn't have a bad debut for a 22-year-old, especially with next-to-no minor-league seasoning. If he sticks at second base, Beckham should provide an above-average line at the position. Avg: 10.5; Best: 10; Worst: 11
2009: .270-14-63-58-7
11. Michael Young	Rangers
Moving to third base apparently was just what the doctor ordered for Young, as he posted his best line since 2005. If he can repeat the feat and put up another Sandoval-type line, his owner is getting unbelievable value in the draft. Avg: 11.25; Best: 9; Worst: 14
2009: .322-22-68-76-8
12. Chipper Jones	Braves
Injury concerns usually drive owners away from Jones, but with his average plummeting 100 points and his slugging percentage down to .430, it's more than health issues at this point. The 38-year-old is near the end. Avg: 11.75; Best: 11; Worst: 13
2009: .264-18-71-80-4
13. Ian Stewart	Rockies
The emerging power threat could be in line for his first 30-HR season in 2010, but the low BA is a real bummer. Still, 500 at-bats should net you at least a .250/30/10 season. Avg: 12.5; Best: 12; Worst: 13
2009: .228-25-70-74-7
14. Jorge Cantu	Marlins
Cantu is probably closer to a 29-HR hitter (his 2008 total) than a 16-HR hitter (his 2009 total), so there should be an opportunity for you to nab him at a discount in this year's draft. Avg: 14.25; Best: 14; Worst: 15
2009: .289-16-100-67-3
15. Adrian Beltre	Red Sox
Last year's downturn was troubling, but Beltre still has enough upside to warrant a mid-round pick in your league. He could recapture his 26/14 line from 2007 pretty easily in Fenway. Avg: 15.25; Best: 13; Worst: 18
2009: .265-8-44-54-13
16. Kevin Kouzmanoff	Athletics
While his new home is also a pitcher's park, anything is better than Petco. Kouz should easily top 20 HRs this year, and a solid average could put him into the position's top ten. Avg: 16.5; Best: 15; Worst: 20
2009: .255-18-88-50-1
17. Alex Gordon	Royals
Will Gordon continue to follow the Andy Marte career path, or can he finally fulfill the promise he's long had? One thing is for certain -- it's definitely worth a late-round pick to find out. Avg: 17; Best: 16; Worst: 18
2009: .232-6-22-28-5
18. Chase Headley	Padres
Now back at his position of comfort, Headley should be able to settle in and start to develop as a hitter. Last year's .262-12-10 is his floor, and he could push 20/15 in 2010. Avg: 17.75; Best: 17; Worst: 20
2009: .262-12-64-62-10
19. Miguel Tejada	Orioles
While Baltimore is placing him at the hot corner, your fantasy team should be keeping him at SS. Regardless, enjoy one more useful fantasy season out of Tejada before the loss of SS eligibility dooms his value for good Avg: 19.5; Best: 19; Worst: 21
2009: .313-14-86-83-5
20. Edwin Encarnacion	Blue Jays
His age of 27 says he should be growing, but his statistics say otherwise. If you're counting on him as your starting 3B, you're pretty desparate Avg: 21.5; Best: 19; Worst: 26
2009: .225-13-39-35-2

21. Brandon Wood, Angels
22. Martin Prado, Braves
23. Mark DeRosa, Giants
24. Garrett Atkins, Orioles
25. Mark Teahen, White Sox
26. Casey Blake, Dodgers
27. Jhonny Peralta, Indians
28. Placido Polanco, Phillies
29. Troy Glaus, Braves
30. Casey McGehee, Brewers
31. Scott Rolen, Reds
32. Andy LaRoche, Pirates
33. Brandon Inge, Tigers
34. Mike Lowell, Red Sox
35. David Freese, Cardinals
36. Ty Wigginton, Orioles
37. Brett Wallace, Blue Jays
38. Mat Gamel, Brewers
39. Juan Uribe, Giants
40. Adam Kennedy, Nationals
41. Pedro Feliz, Astros
42. Macier Izturis, Angels
43. Jerry Hairston, Padres
44. Josh Fields, Royals
45. Brendan Harris, Twins
46. Jake Fox, Athletics
47. Bobby Crosby, Pirates
48. Pedro Alvarez, Pirates
49. Jeff Keppinger, Astros
50. Geoff Blum, Astros