Tiered Up: Third Basemen

Ready to go the extra mile? Tiered Up looks at a more thorough way to set up your draft board than simple rankings.

We're used to seeing third base be a pretty deep fantasy position, but I think that is far from the case in 2010. In fact, I would do all I can to get my starter from the top eight at the position. Outside of those top two tiers, there are a few youngsters that should impress, but Gordon Beckham and Ian Stewart may be drafted to play second base in your league.

If you don't get your third basemen from that group, you'll be looking at the powerless Chone Figgins or a number of low-ceiling veterans. As with any position, there are a few sleepers to like after the starters come off the board, but the wise play would be to avoid gambling with those sleepers and to draft your starter in the first five rounds.

Here's my tiered 3B rankings, listed with each player's Median Draft Position (click here for an explanation).

Tier 1

Alex Rodriguez, Yankees (3)
David Wright, Mets (14)
Evan Longoria, Rays (11)

After the 2009 stinker, Longoria makes for a safer pick at this point, and safer is always good this high in the draft. I do have a feeling Wright will be better, but I'd take whichever of those two guys are left at my pick if I had the chance.

Tier 2

Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals (31)
Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks (24)
Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox (33)
Pablo Sandoval, Giants (37)
Aramis Ramirez, Cubs (54)

My favorite strategy in the fourth-to-seventh pick range of the draft is to go with one of the top two OFs (Ryan Braun or Matt Kemp), take an elite SS in the second round, and then spend that third-rounder on one of these 3B, ideally Zimmerman. Ramirez makes for great value in the fifth round if you decide to pass on the Round 3 guys. Again, I'd have my starter by the time Ramirez is drafted.

Tier 3

Michael Young, Rangers (85)
Chone Figgins, Mariners (70)
Ian Stewart, Rockies (121)
Gordon Beckham, White Sox (86)
Chipper Jones, Braves (133)

Did you know you can get Figgins' skill set (good average, no power, lots of steals) 100 picks later in the form of Juan Pierre? Young's Chipper-like season gets him the top spot of this tier, while Chipper's un-Chipper-like season slots him at the bottom. Stewart and Beckham are both great young talents that are worth more as 2Bs.

Tier 4

Jorge Cantu, Marlins (163)
Adrian Beltre, Red Sox (168)
Alex Gordon, Royals (223)
Brandon Wood, Angels (326)

Each of these guys has some upside that make them worth the risk if you're hurting at the position or couldn't get a good 1B to man your corner infielder spot. Cantu is a skilled hitter that was a little unlucky with his HRs last year. Beltre moves to a good park. Gordon and Wood could break through in a big way this year. I'd rather gamble on one or two of these guys late than spend an earlier pick on Tier 3 guys. If you're high on Wood like I am, take him a few rounds after Gordon.

Tier 5

Martin Prado, Braves (227)
Chase Headley, Padres (259)
Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays (302)
Kevin Kouzmanoff, A's (318)
Miguel Tejada, Orioles (157)

I think Encarnacion makes for a great upside pick this late. Headley will probably do better while manning his normal 3B position. Tejada should only be used at SS in your league this year. Prado makes for a better 2B in your league. Let's see how Kouzmanoff does after escaping from San Diego.

Tier 6

Casey Blake, Dodgers (279)
Placido Polanco, Phillies (225)
Scott Rolen, Reds (305)
Mark DeRosa, Giants (218)
Jhonny Peralta, Indians (213)
Garrett Atkins, Orioles (270)
Troy Glaus, Braves (328)
Casey McGehee, Brewers (220)

This group is lacking in upside, but at least you know what you're getting by drafting them. Polanco, McGehee and Peralta are better played at different positions. Atkins and Glaus can also back up your 1B.

That'll wrap up our 3B tiers. Anybody after this is a crap-shoot, and I would focus on young 3Bs that don't have starting roles in the majors yet if you need to dig deeper than this.