By Greg Fox
Rotowhine.com Assistant Editor
February 7, 2008
Each week leading up to the 2008 major league baseball regular season, Rotowhine.com will dissect the top players in both the American and National League at each key fantasy position.
Top 15 Third Basemen - National League
As we go through the list of our final infield position, we can’t help but wonder why the National League owns the reputation for sucking. Since displaying a list of catchers that included Engelbert in the top ten, the NL has rallied big time at each infield position, outdoing the AL in our estimation at first, second and short. The hot corner is no exception as it is loaded with a smorgasbord of four and five category mashers. As much as we’d like to be on the conservative side and go with Michaelangelo’s David Wright in the top spot, we just can’t. Ryan Braun is the league’s best young hitter since a fellow by the name of Pooholes. He burst on the scene in 2007 and delivered 34 homers, 97 RBI, 91 runs, 15 steals and a .324 average in only 451 at-bats. If we pro-rate those numbers to 452 at-bats his final tally would really be something. Braun is going to hit next to Prince Fielder in one of the coziest ballparks in the league. Add to that the fact that his manager wants him to run more often and you should have yourself a pretty nice prize late in the first round if you so choose. If you’re not comfortable taking a second-year player that high, it’s okay to look for Wright. This is a tremendous offensive player and one of baseball’s few 30/30 men. His stadium doesn’t help his numbers, but he’ll have ample opportunity to score and drive in a barrage of runs. After Wright, the talent level doesn’t fall off too much as Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Zimmerman, Garrett Atkins and Chipper Jones remain. We like the durable Zimmerman to put up gaudy numbers in a new and more friendly hitters park in D.C. And if you’d like to wait a little longer for a third sacker, there will certainly be a dropoff, but guys such as Edwin Encarnacion, Yunel Escobar, Bill Hall, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Pedro Feliz and Ty Wigginton will provide pretty good value.
1. Ryan Braun, MIL
2007 5×5 Stats: .324 BA, 91 R, 34 HR, 97 RBI, 15 SB
Age: 24 (11/17/83)
This guy is the real deal. It’s almost criminal that he was mired in the minors for as long as he was as the Brewer organization was overly concerned about his defense. Well, he’s going to play the outfield in ‘08, but will qualify at third after appearing in 112 games at the position as a rookie. We’d be surprised if this dominant offensive force didn’t offer first round value.
2008 Projections: .304 BA, 113 R, 41 HR, 117 RBI, 22 SB
2. David Wright, NYM
2007 5×5 Stats: .325 BA, 113 R, 30 HR, 107 RBI, 34 SB
Age: 25 (12/20/82)
Wright is impossible to pitch to. The only thing that holds him back is the cavernous and swirly-winded Shea Stadium. Surrounded in the lineup by Carlos Beltran and Moises Alou, he should have the protection he needs to continue to get pitches to hit. Might be available in the late first round, but certainly no lower than the early second.
2008 Projections: .321 BA, 114 R, 33 HR, 112 RBI, 26 SB
3. Aramis Ramirez, CHC
2007 5×5 Stats: .310 BA, 72 R, 26 HR, 101 RBI, 0 SB
Age: 29 (6/25/78)
Ramirez is an elite power hitter, batting in the middle of a strong order, and playing half his games at The Friendly Confines. Knee and wrist injuries limited him last season, but he still managed to top the century mark in RBI. Doesn’t it always seem as if his final numbers should be better than they actually are? Nevertheless, 35 homers and 110 RBI is again within reach for this talented slugger.
2008 Projections: .295 BA, 98 R, 36 HR, 109 RBI, 1 SB
4. Garrett Atkins, COL
2007 5×5 Stats: .301 BA, 83 R, 25 HR, 111 RBI, 3 SB
Age: 28 (12/12/79)
Atkins had one good stretch in the middle of the ‘07 season, but really did nothing special other than that. Despite an annoying season and an equally annoying playoffs, he somehow finished with solid overall numbers… a step back from his breakout ‘06 campaign when he smacked 29 homers and drove in 120, but solid nonetheless. Last season should be the worst he will do for some time. Expect his totals to fall somewhere between ‘06 and ‘07.
2008 Projections: .310 BA, 96 R, 26 HR, 112 RBI, 2 SB
5. Ryan Zimmerman, WAS
2007 5×5 Stats: .266 BA, 99 R, 24 HR, 91 RBI, 4 SB
Age: 23 (9/28/84)
Comparing players by statistics in general is a ridiculous measure, and when it comes to Zimmerman, the proof is in the ballpark. Stuck in the dead air of RFK Stadium during his first two seasons, his numbers were somewhat pedestrian for the kind of talent he is. Now in a more forgiving park and with better players around him, expect a dramatic spike across the board.
2008 Projections: .289 BA, 101 R, 32 HR, 104 RBI, 7 SB
6. Chipper Jones, ATL
2007 5×5 Stats: .337 BA, 108 R, 29 HR, 102 RBI, 5 SB
Age: 35 (4/24/72)
Despite the fact that he is falling apart at the seams, Chipper remains one of the game’s most dangerous hitters. He has missed at least 25 games each of the past four seasons, but still posts quality numbers. Issues with his feet continue to haunt him, but this borderline hall of famer is a cinch to hit over .300 with 25 HR and 90-100 RBI.
2008 Projections: .308 BA, 94 R, 28 HR, 97 RBI, 4 SB
7. Troy Glaus, STL
2007 5×5 Stats: .262, 60 R, 20 HR, 62 RBI, 0 SB
Age: 31 (8/3/76)
Paul Bunyan’s twin brother returns to the NL, where he belted 37 homers for the Diamondbacks in 2005. And despite the presence of the magnificent Albert Pujols in front of him, he is coming off foot surgery and lands possibly with the worst hitting team in baseball. The home runs and RBI will be there, but can you stomach the low batting average, mediocre runs and lack of steals?
2008 Projections: .259 BA, 83 R, 33 HR, 90 RBI, 2 SB
8. Edwin Encarnacion, CIN
2007 5×5 Stats: .289 BA, 66 R, 16 HR, 76 RBI, 8 SB
Age: 25 (1/7/83)
The downward spiral begins here, but it’s not as big of a drop as it may seem. Encarnacion has the potential to be a five-category player and we’re expecting somewhat of a breakout season. Following a May demotion to Triple A, he turned it on late in the season and finished with respectable numbers. Twenty-plus homers, 80 RBI and solid peripheral numbers are within reach.
2008 Projections: .283 BA, 84 R, 23 HR, 81 RBI, 11 SB
9. Yunel Escobar, ATL
2007 5×5 Stats: .326 BA, 54 R, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 5 SB
Age: 25 (11/2/82)
Yes, Escobar qualifies at second, short and third. And two weeks since writing his first capsule, we still feel as if he is a potential all-star in the making. This is one of those players we’ll be talking about 15 years from now as a professional hitter. He possesses power to all fields, young legs and Bobby Cox is his biggest fan. Expect good things from him at the top of the Braves order.
2008 Projections: .303 BA, 87 R, 17 HR, 64 RBI, 10 SB
10. Bill Hall, MIL
2007 5×5 Stats: .254 BA, 59 R, 14 HR, 63 RBI, 4 SB
Age: 28 (12/28/79)
Hall was injured and slumped badly in 2007. He moves to third base and will have every opportunity to again become the guy who erupted for 35 homers and 101 runs scored in ‘06. We’d actually like to see the guy who produced 17 HR, 18 steals and a .291 average in ‘05 because he does possess the speed and hitting ability to do so. We’ll see in Spring training if his enormous uppercut is in check.
2008 Projections: .272 BA, 76 R, 21 HR, 74 RBI, 10 SB
11. Kevin Kouzmanoff, SD
2007 5×5 Stats: .275 BA, 57 R, 18 HR, 74 RBI, 1 SB
Age: 26 (7/25/81)
Following a dreadful first half of the 2007 season, Kouzmanoff exhibited why he was one of baseball’s top minor league hitters while in the Cleveland system in 2005. The ballpark effect will hurt his power totals, but this is someone capable of batting over .300 with 20 homers. Keep in mind that a slow start could signal either a trade out of San Diego or a move from third base as top prospect Chase Headley is waiting in the wings.
2008 Projections: .289 BA, 72 R, 19 HR, 78 RBI, 3 SB
12. Pedro Feliz, PHI
2007 5×5 Stats: .253 BA, 61 R, 20 HR, 72 RBI, 2 SB
Age: 32 (4/27/75)
Talk about going from the outhouse to the penthouse. Feliz signed with the Phillies following a consistently mediocre seven years in San Francisco. Regardless, the change of ballparks will do the slick fielding Feliz just fine. He’ll probably bat seventh in the Philly order, but that should allow him enough opportunities to flirt with career highs in all categories.
2008 Projections: .260 BA, 69 R, 24 HR, 75 RBI, 2 SB
13. Ty Wigginton, HOU
2007 5×5 Stats: .278 BA, 71 R, 22 HR, 67 RBI, 3 SB
Age: 30 (10/11/77)
Wigginton is entrenched as the Astros’ starting third baseman, as least until they fall out of the NL Central race. A hard-nosed player, he’ll likely bat sixth in order and have plenty of opportunity to drive in the likes of Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee and Miguel Tejada. A candidate to be traded after the all-star break.
2008 Projections: .272 BA, 69 R, 23 HR, 72 RBI, 4 SB
14. Mark Reynolds, ARZ
2007 5×5 Stats: .279 BA, 62 R, 17 HR, 62 RBI, 0 SB
Age: 24 (8/3/83)
Tough call among several players for the final two spots, but we like Reynolds to re-assume the starting job in Arizona. Chad Tracy has been slow to recover from offseason microfracture surgery on his knee and Reynolds, although he strikes out at an alarming rate, proved to be a capable and clutch bat. If Tracy does make it back in April, we can see a three-way time split among Reynolds, Tracy and Conor Jackson at first and third base.
2008 Projections: .268 BA, 67 R, 21 HR, 71 RBI, 2 SB
15. Kevin Frandsen, SF
2007 5×5 Stats: .296 BA, 67 R, 12 HR, 56 RBI, 2 SB
Age: 30 (12/29/77)
The battle between Nomar Garciaparra and Andy LaRoche in Los Angeles makes us want to avoid that situation altogether, so why not take a chance on Frandsen? He batted .403 albeit in 67 Triple A at-bats, but when re-called to the bigs following the all-star break, it seemed as if he averaged three hits per night. Double digit homers and steals is a real possibility for the gritty Giant.
2008 Projections: .282 BA, 73 R, 9 HR, 52 RBI, 13 SB
Coming Monday (Feb. 11): Jeff Andriesse breaks down the Top 15 American League outfielders.
