Updated Third Base Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Points Leagues (February Updates)

February 5, 2026

Updated third base (3B) fantasy baseball rankings and tiers for H2H points leagues (February updates). Nick Mariano is a top-accuracy fantasy baseball ranker.

With spring training starting soon, it's time to go through more positional rankings. Today, we review the third base position in point leagues, which is one of the more unique positions to rank in 2026. There are two elite options (Jose Ramirez and Junior Caminero) and a lot of question marks once the top five are off the draft board. At RotoBaller HQ, we break down third base with our2026 fantasy baseball third base rankings for points leagues and head-to-head (H2H) points leagues. These 3B rankings are updated for February and cover the top 80 third basemen.

The third base rankings below are specifically designed for points leagues. We also have many other fantasy baseball rankings, tools, and resources to help you win in 2026. Throughout the preseason and MLB season, we'll be publishing rankings, tools, and analysis articles, all geared for fantasy baseball points and H2H points leagues -- so bookmark that link and be sure to check back often.

In the article below, we will be taking a look at our third base points rankings list put together by RotoBaller's MLB expert Nick Mariano. These rankings cover the top 30 second basemen. Be sure to also download our free fantasy baseball mobile app so you can stay on top of all the MLB news and analysis articles.

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2026 Third Base Rankings: Points Leagues

These 3B rankings are for points and head-to-head points leagues. You can also see our roto fantasy baseball rankings.

Before we get to the rankings, let's quickly review points leagues and how they differ from other formats. Typically, points leagues have different league settings and scoring formats than other fantasy baseball leagues. Different MLB stats and categories are assigned different point values, and those can vary by individual league settings. Those different point buckets are then added up over the course of a scoring period or season.

In many cases, hitters who walk more and strike out less are preferred for points leagues. Also, many league formats tend to give more weight to pitchers than normal, as they can easily accrue points through categories like Innings Pitched. These are the general frameworks that we use for our points league rankings below, and explain why they look different than more standard 5x5 roto fantasy baseball rankings.

Fantasy Baseball Third Base News

Ramon Urias, Boston Red Sox

According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, the Boston Red Sox have checked in on infielder Ramon Urias, but currently have "lukewarm" interest in signing him ahead of spring training. The Red Sox have been linked to several infield free agents throughout the winter but have yet to agree to terms with any of them. Earlier in the offseason, they expressed significant interest in resigning Alex Bregman or acquiring Bo Bichette.

Additionally, they have been linked to Houston's third baseman, Isaac Paredes, in a potential trade. Urias spent the 2025 season with the Orioles and Astros. Across 112 contests, the 31-year-old held a .241/.292/.384 slash line with 11 home runs and three stolen bases. For now, Marcelo Mayer is projected to begin the season as Boston's primary third baseman.

 Nolan Gorman, St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Nolan Gorman will have "plenty of opportunity" this year to make an impact, according to president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. "It's a big year for him... He should have plenty of opportunities this year. We've seen it (before). He has power everywhere. He can drive the baseball to any part of the field... He knows this is a big opportunity (for him)," Bloom said.

The Cardinals have two openings on the infield going into spring training at third base and second base after they traded both Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan this offseason. The 25-year-old Gorman is expected to take over at the hot corner, with infield prospect JJ Wetherholt having a clear path at the keystone.

We know there is power in Gorman's bat after he hit a career-high 27 homers in 2023, but he has struck out 35% of the time the last two seasons while hitting 33 combined homers. If Gorman can lower his strikeout rate in 2026, he could be a nice sleeper source of power with regular playing time.

Isaac Paredes, Houston Astros

The Houston Astros and third baseman Isaac Paredes avoided an arbitration hearing by settling on a one-year, $9.35 million deal on Tuesday, a source told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Both sides met in the middle after exchanging figures last month. The 26-year-old's fantasy stock is down heading into the 2026 campaign, as he might not have a path to an everyday role in his second year in Houston.

Paredes slashed .254/.352/.458 with 20 home runs, 53 RBI, and 53 runs scored in 438 plate appearances over 102 games played. A hamstring injury was the reason why he didn't play a full season, and he wasn't 100% percent when he returned in the final month.

In addition to Paredes not having a clear path to a starting role in 2026, there's a chance he's not ready for Opening Day as the Astros bring him along slowly. A trade out of town would most likely be the best thing for Paredes' fantasy value.

Manny Machado, San Diego Padres

San Diego third baseman Manny Machado continues to turn in consistent seasons for the Padres, and he may be a little under the radar based on his current average draft position. Machado didn't have an eye-catching season in 2025, but he did continue his run of reliable production. He finished with 27 homers in his 159 games and has 25+ homers in 10 straight seasons (not counting the shortened 2020 season).

He hit .275 for the second straight year, and his wOBA ticked up from .340 to .341 while his wRC+ crept up from 122 to 123. He mixed in 14 stolen bases as well, his highest total since 2018. Even though he has been around the majors for 14 seasons, he'll still only be 33 at the start of this year, so he still should have several strong seasons left, barring any major injury.

Machado has played at least 150 games in nine of the last 10 full seasons as well, and his consistency and reliability make him a solid piece to build around.

Jeimer Candelario, Los Angeles Angels

Free-agent infielder Jeimer Candelario has reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Angels on a minor-league contract that includes an invite to spring training. Candelario started his career with the Tigers and spent time with the Nationals and Cubs before signing a three-year deal with the Reds before the 2024 season.

Candelario was released in late June last year after knee, toe, and back issues limited him to just 22 games. He spent the rest of the season in Triple-A for the Yankees, where he slashed just .203/.289/.357. He joins a crowded list of reclamation projects trying to earn playing time for the Angels.

He could earn his way onto the Opening Day roster or get called up at some point this season if he can prove that his bat still has a little pop after his last several injuries. He's well off the fantasy radar for now, but it's good to know where he landed and keep an eye on his progress this spring.

Ke'Bryan Hayes, Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds two-time National League Gold Glove winner Ke'Bryan Hayes is expected to remain entrenched as the team's starting third baseman, even after the signing of Eugenio Suarez. Suarez is expected to serve as Cincy's primary designated hitter, but he'll also see time at third and first base.

Hayes hit .234/.315/.342 with three home runs, 13 RBI, and 16 runs scored in 52 regular-season games for the Reds in 2025 after they acquired him at midseason from the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates. The 29-year-old was slightly better offensively after the move to Cincy, but his .306 slugging percentage was the worst among qualified hitters last year, and his .595 OPS was second-worst.

Hayes' 2026 fantasy profile is slightly better as he enters his first full year with the Reds, but he's a better real-life player for his top-notch glove than a fantasy one. He's the No. 52 fantasy third baseman at RotoBaller.

Eugenio Suarez, Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds signed free-agent third baseman Eugenio Suarez to a one-year, $15 million contract on Sunday, which includes a mutual option for the 2027 season. Suarez heads back to Cincinnati after playing for the Reds from 2015 to 2021. It's a bit shocking that it took this long for Suarez to sign, given his offensive numbers from last season.

The 34-year-old slashed .228/.298/.526 with 49 home runs and 118 RBI in 159 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners. The expectation is that Suarez will spend most of his time at designated hitter. Ke'Bryan Hayes will continue to handle third base duties as he's a much better defender than Suarez.

The addition of Suarez is bad news for Sal Stewart, who will likely see a reduced role now. Suarez will strike out a ton, but he is money in the bank to hit 30-plus home runs in hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Suarez is a borderline top 10 fantasy third baseman heading into 2026 fantasy drafts.

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