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The 2015 season was a great one for young third baseman. I think everyone expected Kris Bryant to have a big year, but several other young prospects had big seasons for their team. Matt Duffy was a force in the middle of the Giants’ lineup, Maikel Franco’s season has already seen people Phillies-rookie-maikel-franco-draws-comparisons-to-albert-pujols-062915">drawing comparisons (premature as they may be) to Albert Pujols, and Jung-Ho Kang provided some extra thump in the middle of the Pirates’ lineup.
Though there are a few third basemen who could have a big year in 2016, none are going to have as big of a year as the rookies of 2015, but there could still be a few impact bats at the hot corner. Guys like Tyler Goeddel and Joey Gallo could help fantasy owners get an edge over other team owners in their leagues.
Editor's note: Be sure to also check out our 2016 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard. Our rankings assistant tool combines all our staff's ranks in one place. You can easily filter and export all sorts of rankings and tiers - mixed leagues, points leagues, AL/NL only, top prospects, dynasty ranks, keeper values, and more.
Top 10 Dynasty Prospects: Third Base
Here are the top ten third basemen for fantasy baseball in 2016:
1. Tyler Goeddel (PHI, AA)
Stats: 533 PA, .279/.350/.433, 12 HR, 28 SB, 9.0% BB rate, 18.4% K rate
ETA: Opening Day
Now I know what you all are wondering: why is Tyler Goeddel on the third base list? Though Goeddel won’t be displacing Maikel Franco this season, he still qualifies at third base so he could play there for fantasy teams. And Goeddel figures to see regular playing time for the Phillies giving their lack of outfield depth (especially after Aaron Altherr’s latest injury) and he could provide some significant value. Goeddel is capable of hitting 10-15 home runs per season while stealing 20+ bags per season as well. To top it all off, many scouts praise his plate discipline and see Goeddel as being capable of hitting above .260, giving him little risk in owning. Though he won’t be an explosive asset for fantasy owners, Goeddel is a medium risk/medium reward third base option for fantasy owners in 2016. He may not be worth drafting, but fantasy owners in need of some third base or outfield depth could do worse than to turn to the 23-year-old righty.
2. Joey Gallo (TEX, MLB)
Stats: 123 PA, .204/.301/.417, 6 HR, 3 SB, 12.2% BB rate, 46.3% K rate
ETA: Early July
Why is Joey Gallo not number one on this list you may ask? No, it is not because I dare to be different. It is because as much as I believe he can contribute in the home run category, Gallo does not have a clear path to playing time and he has astronomical struggles with plate discipline. Gallo has struck out over 25% at every level in the minors and lately has struck out above 33% of the time at both Double-A and Triple-A. I also expect that Gallo will spend the majority of the season in the minors as the Rangers are loaded in the outfield and Gallo will certainly not be displacing Adrian Beltre any time soon. Mike Podhorzer at Fangraphs compared him to Russell Branyan with more strikeouts. As harsh as it sounds, I tend to agree.
3. Colin Moran (HOU, AA)
Stats: 417 PA, .306/.381/.459, 9 HR, 1 SB, 10.3% BB rate, 18.9% rate
ETA: Early June
Though he certainly won’t break camp with the team, Colin Moran stands a solid chance of debuting with the Astros around the same time this year as Carlos Correa did in 2015. And though he certainly won’t have as big of an impact as Correa had last season, Moran can be counted on for solid production. Moran won’t hit for much power, but he still could potentially blast 10 home runs while also hitting over .290. Since he isn’t guaranteed a spot out of the gate and he is no uber-prospect, Moran is not worth drafting, but he is certainly worth adding off the waiver wire if Luis Valbuena goes through some struggles.
4. Brandon Drury (ARI, MLB)
Stats: (from AAA) 276 PA, .331/.384/.458, 2 HR, 0 SB< 7.6% BB rate, 12.7% K rate
ETA: Opening Day
Brandon Drury has a strong chance of winning the second base job out of Spring Training and if so he would immediately become fantasy relevant. Luckily for fantasy owners looking for depth, Drury qualifies for both second base and third base so they could play him at either position that they need him most. Though Drury has not shown his home run power in a couple years, he could still theoretically hit 10 home runs per season and hit for a .260+ average. Don’t expect any stolen bases, but overall Drury will produce above-average offensive production as a second baseman. Drury could be worth a late round draft pick or a waiver wire add if your second base position needs some improvements.
5. Renato Nunez (OAK, AA)
Stats: 416 PA, .278/.332/.480, 18 HR, 1 SB, 6.7% BB rate, 15.9% K rate
ETA: September
Renato Nunez has the power to be an impact bat if he were to see time in the majors, but at this point it seems unlikely that Nunez will get much time in the majors. He may be promoted in September and receive the occasional spot start, but outside of that Nunez will probably just be an occasional pinch hitter for Oakland. He will not have any fantasy value unless he starts at third in September.
6. Ryan McMahon (COL, A+)
Stats: 556 PA, .300/.372/.520, 18 HR, 6 SB, 8.8% BB rate, 27.5% K rate
ETA: September
It is a serious stretch to assume that Ryan McMahon will debut with the Rockies that year because that would absolutely necessitate a trade of Nolan Arenado. And while that is not completely out of the question, I would not expect to see McMahon arrive in the majors before September. His bat is potent enough to make him an absolute must own if it looks like he would be given regular playing time, but it is far from safe to assume that McMahon will have anything more than a cup of tea in the majors.
7. Tyler White (HOU, AAA)
Stats: 259 PA, .362/.467/.559, 7 HR, 0 SB, 16.2% BB rate, 14.7% K rate
ETA: September
I feel really bad for Tyler White because he had an outstanding 2015 at both Triple-A and Double-A, but AJ Reed just looks like more of an impact bat at this point. In all likelihood, Reed will be given the first chance to supplant Jon Singleton at first base and it would be unwise to expect Reed to struggle. If White were to be promoted and see some playing time, he could have some value for fantasy owners even if his role with the Astros is limited. Unfortunately for White, I don’t see him getting much of an opportunity for playing time until September.
8. DJ Peterson (SEA, AAA)
Stats: (from AA) 393 PA, .223/.290/.346, 7 HR, 5 SB, 7.9% BB rate, 22.9% K rate
ETA: September
DJ Peterson has the type of power that could have an immediate impact once he reaches the majors, but with both Adam Lind and Kyle Seager solidly entrenched at first and third, playing time will be hard pressed to find if not altogether impossible. He might have some moderate value in September as an occasional starter, but don’t expect much beyond that.
9. Cheslor Cuthbert (KC, MLB)
Stats: (from AAA) 438 PA, .277/.339/.421, 11 HR, 5 SB, 8.4% BB rate, 13.7% K rate
ETA: September
I would expect to see Cheslor Cuthbert starting the season with the Royals, but don’t expect him to get regular playing time at any point. Neither Eric Hosmer nor Mike Moustakas have missed more than 31 games in a single season since 2011 and I don’t see any reason for that trend not to continue. Even if Cuthbert was a starter this year and saw a full 600 PA, I would not expect him to produce much more than a .260 average with 10 home runs. He is a desperation play in most fantasy leagues.
10. Richie Shaffer (TB, MLB)
Stats: 88 PA, .189/.307/.392, 4 HR, 0 SB, 11.4% BB rate, 36.4% K rate
ETA: September
Richie Shaffer could hit 25-30 home runs if given ample playing time, but he is currently blocked by both Evan Longoria and James Loney and I expect him to start the year at Triple-A. Don’t expect Shaffer to see much playing time until rosters expand in September unless there is an injury.
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