👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

2017 Third Basemen: Top MLB Prospects for Fantasy Baseball

Welcome back, RotoBallers. I've already looked at the top 10 prospects for each MLB team, and now I'll be breaking down impact prospects by position. Today I'm bringing you my top 10 third basemen - MLB prospect rankings for the 2017 fantasy baseball season.

Last season was actually pretty rewarding for rookie third basemen. Greg Garcia stood out as a solid utility bat for St. Louis, Alex Bregman debuted for Houston and looked all the part of a franchise third baseman and Ryon Healy burst out onto the scene in Oakland.

The incoming class of third basemen has the potential to be even better. Though some of these bats like Rafael Devers and Nick Senzel have yet to reach Double-A, it is important to note that guys like Bregman have made the leap before and Boston and Cincinnati could use some help at the hot corner and may opt to see their talented young prospects play there at some point this season. There are plenty of potential high-impact players who could be dynamic fantasy players if they are only given the appropriate playing time in 2017.

Featured Promo: Save 50% the regular price with discount code SPRING, for a limited time. Exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizers, betting/prop picks, and exclusive content from Nick Mariano and Eric Cross! GAIN ACCESS NOW

 

Top 10 Third Base Prospects for 2017 Fantasy Baseball

1. Matt Chapman (OAK, AAA)
Stats: (from AA) 504 PA, .244/.335/.521, 29 HR, 7 SB, 11.7% BB rate, 29.2% K rate
ETA: Early May
Chapman does many things very well and a few things very poorly. He is an elite defender and middle-of-the-order power hitter. He also has enough patience to take a walk if it is given to him. What he does poorly is make consistent contact. He has a tendency to swing-and-miss a bit more than the A’s would like to see and would love for him to make improvements in that area. They will likely keep him down in the minors for a bit, but odds are he will debut with the club this season and push Healy over to first base or designated hitter. If given regular playing time, he could be an annual 30-homer threat and drive in his fair share of runs.

2. Rafael Devers (BOS, A+)
Stats: 546 PA, .282/.335/.443, 11 HR, 18 SB, 7.3% BB rate, 17.2% K rate
ETA: Early June
This is already quite the bold prediction, but I believe Devers will be the Red Sox starting third baseman before too long. Right now, they’ve got Pablo Sandoval and Brock Holt manning the position. For a playoff contender like Boston, that is quite the big hole. Devers will begin the season at Double-A and if he can hit anything like he did to end the 2016 season (.331/.370/.516 slash line in last 87 games of the season), he will force them to bring him up to the majors. He has insane upside with some saying his ceiling is that of a left-handed Manny Machado. Devers would provide owners with some stolen bases, but more importantly a ton of home runs and a very nice batting average.

3. Miguel Andujar (NYY, AA)
Stats: 319 PA, .266/.323/.358, 2 HR, 2 SB, 6.6% BB rate, 13.2% K rate
ETA: Mid-May
I know the numbers for Andujar don’t look all that spectacular, but keep in mind he was only 21 years old and was coming off a very solid stint at High-A. In his 58 games at Class-A Advanced Tampa prior to his promotion to Trenton, he slashed .283/.343/.474 with 10 homers, a 7.2 percent walk rate and 12.0 percent strikeout rate in only 251 plate appearances. Scouts have praised his raw power potential and cite an aggressive approach that actually works well for making consistent, strong contact. He should be able to get his bat going again in 2017 and should work his way past the struggling Chase Headley and lackluster Ronald Torreyes.

4. Hunter Dozier (KC, MLB)
Stats: (from AAA) 434 PA, .294/.357/.506, 15 HR, 3 SB, 9.2% BB rate, 23.0% K rate
ETA: Early July
Dozier went on a tear in 2016 and put together his most promising season to date. Between crushing Double-A pitching (.305/.400/.642 slash with eight homers in 26 games) and his solid season at Triple-A, Dozier firmly established himself among the top third base prospects in the game. The big issue right now for him is that Mike Moustakas stands in the way of consistent playing time. But with the Royals likely out of playoff contention and Moustakas entering the final season of his contract, the Royals may opt to deal away Moose and plug Dozier in at third to get a glimpse of their next franchise third baseman. If he gets the chance to play in the summer, he should be able to hit more than enough to warrant ownership in redraft leagues.

5. Jeimer Candelario (CHC, MLB)
Stats: (from AAA) 309 PA, .333/.417/.542, 9 HR, 0 SB, 12.3% BB rate, 17.2% K rate
ETA: Early July
Candelario’s value is entirely contingent on a trade. He is in a very similar position to Dan Vogelbach last season who was a solid prospect for Chicago, but had no foreseeable path to playing time. Candelario is big-league ready and could help out a team if he gets the opportunity to do so. But first Chicago has to trade him, because he will not pass Kris Bryant on the Cubs’ depth chart. Assuming Candelario is traded around the middle of the season, he should be able to provide fantasy owners with a great batting average and a few home runs here and there.

6. Christian Arroyo (SF, AA)
Stats: 517 PA, .274/.316/.373, 3 HR, 1 SB, 5.6% BB rate, 13.9% K rate
ETA: Early May
Arroyo will begin the year in the minors, but he seems like one of those guys like Matt Duffy a few years ago who could force his way to the big-league roster in a utility role for San Francisco. His numbers strongly resemble Duffy’s minor-league stats and there is a chance he turns out to have some hidden power in his bat, but right now owners will just have to be happy with a guaranteed .280+ batting average. Arroyo is a very balanced hitter and should have no problem posting a high batting average in the majors. He will be limited to a utility role to begin his major-league career, but he could really help owners in deeper leagues who need a solid source of hits.

7. Rio Ruiz (ATL, MLB)
Stats: (from AAA) 533 PA, .271/.355/.400, 10 HR, 1 SB, 11.4% BB rate, 21.8% K rate
ETA: Mid-May
Ruiz is not the franchise third baseman for Atlanta, but he is more likely to be that guy than Adonis Garcia. Ruiz is only 22 years old and Garcia will be 32 at the start of this season. Ruiz has some raw power and a refined approach at the plate that should allow him to hit for a solid average when he reaches the majors. Though he is not the most exciting prospect out there, Ruiz will absolutely get the call up to the big leagues the second Garcia starts to struggle. He could be a solid deep-league add if he is promoted to the majors.

8. Nick Senzel (CIN, A)
Stats: 249 PA, .329/.415/.567, 7 HR, 15 SB, 12.9% BB rate, 19.7% K rate
ETA: Early August
Maybe this is a bit of an accelerated timeline, but it is important to realize just how close Senzel is to the majors. He has one of the most mature approaches to the plate in the minors and has always been praised for being advanced for his age. If Eugenio Suarez played anywhere else, Senzel could open 2017 with the Reds. As is, he still has a great chance to debut this season with the ball club, even if it is as late as September. He is essentially the Alex Bregman of last year in that he should fly through the minors and wind up in the majors before too long.

9. Dawel Lugo (ARI, AA)
Stats: 177 PA, .306/.322/.451, 4 HR, 1 SB, 2.3% BB rate, 8.5% K rate
ETA: Late July
Lugo has steadily started to come along more and more every season. He is not an explosive third base prospect by any means, but he is starting to drive the ball a bit more consistently and hit for some more power. He has always been held in high regard for his discipline and ability to make consistent contact, but now the power is starting to come around a bit more. He is not going to be a cornerstone third base prospect by any means, but owners searching for depth could certainly benefit from him if he gets a chance to start for the Diamondbacks.

10. Yandy Diaz (CLE, AAA)
Stats: 416 PA, .325/.399/.461, 7 HR, 5 SB, 11.3% BB rate, 16.8% K rate
ETA: Mid-July
Diaz is one of the most polished prospects in the minors to this point. He has always boasted one of the most disciplined approaches to the plate of any batter out there as evidenced by the fact he has walked 198 times in his pro career and struck out only 191 times. Diaz has also always been able to post an outstanding batting average, as evidenced by his career .307 number. Sure, he does not have the power that many would like to see (19 career homers in two-and-a-half season), but owners will gladly take that ability to reach base consistently. His ability to play many positions should finally help him reach the majors in 2017 where he could eventually hit enough to start in the outfield or at third for the Tribe.

 

More Top MLB Prospects & Rookies




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Julius Randle

Leads Timberwolves With 27 Points Monday
Rickie Fowler

Rides History into the Blue Monster at Doral
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Records Big Triple-Double as Nuggets Stay Alive
Keegan Bradley

on Good Run Heading into Cadillac Championship
Chet Holmgren

Posts Impressive Double-Double in Game 4 Win
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Notches Efficient 31 Points in Closeout Game
Franz Wagner

Scheduled for MRI on Tuesday
Giancarlo Stanton

Heading to Injured List With Calf Strain
NFL

Mike Vrabel Returns to the Patriots on Monday
Tyree Wilson

Heading into Contract Year With New Team
Calijah Kancey

Buccaneers Pick Up Fifth-Year Option on Calijah Kancey
Jalen Carter

Eagles Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Jalen Carter
Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles Pick Up Nolan Smith's Fifth-Year Option
Keon Coleman

Bills Aren't Giving Up on Keon Coleman
Aaron Rodgers

Former Steelers Coach Thinks Aaron Rodgers Will Return to Pittsburgh
Chris Gotterup

Looks to Continue Big-Game Hunting at Cadillac Championship
George Pickens

hasn't Signed his Franchise Tag With Dallas
Jason Day

Looks to Bring Experience Back to the Blue Monster
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Remains Highly Rated by Heat
Aaron Gordon

Won't Play Monday Night
Tyler Herro

to Undergo "Preemptive Procedure" on Foot
Cameron Young

Returns to Action For Cadillac Championship
Travis Bazzana

Guardians Calling Up Former First Overall Pick Travis Bazzana
Bam Adebayo

Remains Untouchable for Heat
Sam Burns

Looks to Have Big Impact at PGA Tour's Return to Doral
Anthony Edwards

Officially Listed as Week-to-Week
Jordan Goodwin

Still Out Monday
Cooper Flagg

Wins Rookie of the Year Award
Kevin Huerter

is Available to Play in Game 4
Joel Embiid

is Probable for Game 5
Austin Reaves

Could Return for Game 5
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Officially Won't Play During First-Round Series
Jonathan Isaac

to Remain Out for Game 4
Will Smith

Back in Action in Series Opener Against Marlins
Josh Naylor

Back in Starting Lineup on Monday
Jason Zucker

Probable for Game 5 Against Bruins
Josh Norris

Could Return to Action Tuesday
Nikita Zadorov

Questionable for Game 5
Viktor Arvidsson

Considered Questionable for Tuesday
Nils Lundkvist

Won't Play Tuesday
Yakov Trenin

Could Be an Option Tuesday
Mats Zuccarello

Questionable for Game 5
Carson Hocevar

Scores his First Career NASCAR Cup Series Victory at Talladega
Chris Buescher

Misses out on Winning at Talladega by Finishing Second
Alex Bowman

Earns First Top-Five Finish at Talladega Since Returning From Injury
Chase Elliott

Scores A Fourth-Place Finish at Talladega
Zane Smith

Nabs First Top-Five Finish of the 2026 Season at Talladega
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Does Marvin Harrison Jr. Still Carry High-End Dynasty Upside?
Marquise Brown

Sliding Down Eagles' Depth Chart Following 2026 Draft
Darnell Mooney

Carries Deep-League Buy-Low Upside into 2026
Christian Kirk

Role in San Francisco in Question Following NFL Draft?
CFB

Texas Tech Quarterback Brendan Sorsby Enters Rehab
Youssef Zalal

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Brashard Smith

Facing an Uphill Battle for Playing Time in Kansas City
Aljamain Sterling

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Rashee Rice

Can Rashee Rice Put Together a Full Season of Production in 2026?
Norma Dumont

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Scores Upset Win
Alexander Hernandez

Gets Dominated
Alexander Hernandez

Rafa Garcia Dominates Alexander Hernandez
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Gets Back In The Win Column
Manny Machado

Clubs Two Homers, Starting to Turn Things Around?
Kyren Williams

Becoming a Better Dynasty Value by the Day
Ben Sinnott

Is it Time to Move on From Ben Sinnott?
Sam Darnold

Still a Reliable Dynasty Hold
Brandon Hagel

Pops Up With Two Goals in Sunday's Win
Justin Fields

Could Dynasty Managers See One More Sell Window for Justin Fields?
Nathan MacKinnon

Records Three Points in Series-Clincher
Dallas Goedert

a Dynasty Bargain After Flurry of Eagles' Moves
Bowen Byram

Extends Goal Streak to Three Games
John Carlson

Delivers Two Assists in Game 4 Victory
Connor McDavid

Bags Pair of Power-Play Assists in 100th Playoff Game
Jason Zucker

Makes Early Exit in Blowout Win
De'Aaron Fox

Notches Game-High 28 Points Sunday
Joel Embiid

Returns With Double-Double
Jayson Tatum

Logs 30-Point Double-Double in Sunday's Win
LeBron James

Quiet in Game 4 Loss to Rockets
Emil Andrae

Expected to Rejoin Flyers Lineup Monday
Matvei Michkov

Set to Be Scratched for Game 5
Radko Gudas

Remains Sidelined Sunday
Jason Dickinson

a Game-Time Decision Sunday
Maxwell Crozier

to Replace Declan Carlile Sunday
Alexander Nikishin

Diagnosed With Concussion
Viktor Arvidsson

Exits Early Sunday
Theo Johnson

a Dynasty Faller After Busy Giants Offseason
Kyle Monangai

Remains a Dynasty Hold
Logan O'Hoppe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List Due to Left-Wrist Fracture
Denny Hamlin

Is Denny Hamlin Worth Rostering for Talladega?
NASCAR

Is Bubba Wallace Playable in Talladega DFS Lineups?
Josh Naylor

Absent on Sunday With Quad Tightness
Ryan Helsley

Returns From Bereavement List on Sunday
Steven Kwan

Back in Sunday's Lineup
Brent Rooker

Activated and Starting on Sunday Against Rangers
Roman Anthony

Returns as DH on Sunday
Tyler Reddick

Stay Away From Tyler Reddick at Talladega
Ryan Blaney

Can Ryan Blaney Shake Off The Bad Luck at Talladega?
Austin Cindric

Could Contend For Another Talladega Win
Kyle Busch

an Easy DFS Pick at Talladega
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. a High-Risk, High-Reward Pick at Talladega
Todd Gilliland

a Sleeper to Watch at Talladega
Brad Keselowski

Is Brad Keselowski Worth Rostering for Talladega Lineups?
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Talladega Lineups?
Christopher Bell

Should DFS Managers Trust Christopher Bell at Talladega?
Ty Gibbs

Is A DFS Risk for Talladega Lineups
Arturs Silovs

Steps in and Saves Pittsburgh on Saturday
Boston Red Sox

Red Sox Fire Manager Alex Cora and Other Coaches
Steven Kwan

Scratched With Neck Stiffness
Trey Yesavage

Returning From Injured List on Tuesday
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Heading to the Injured List With Oblique Strain
MLB

Saturday's Mets-Rockies Game Postponed Due to Weather
Giancarlo Stanton

Exits With Leg Tightness on Friday
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Scratched on Friday With Mid-Back Pain
Jackson Holliday

Receives Positive Test Results, Will be Shut Down for a Week
Jeff Hoffman

Out as Blue Jays Closer
Youssef Zalal

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Main Event
Aljamain Sterling

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Co-Main Event
Norma Dumont

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Alexander Hernandez

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 116
Rafa Garcia

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Set For His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Francisco Lindor

Expected to Miss "Significant Time"
CFB

Beau Pribula Leading Virginia Quarterback Competition
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF