For the longest time, third base was both rich and deep with talent. But then somewhere along the way over the last couple of years, the depth began to disappear. The position thinned out enough to cause even some of the more mediocre third sackers to climb up the draft boards. Well, it looks like things are starting to move in the opposite direction and, while the position still doesn't boast the depth it once had, it's definitely better than it has been over the last two seasons. Because of that, the fluctuation in ADP trends isn't that significant for the most part. You've got a little bit of movement on which to keep an eye, but not enough to alter your game plan too much.
Top 30 Third Basemen
| Current ADP | Change | 1 Week Ago | Change | 2 Weeks Ago | Overall Trend | |
| Evan Longoria | 11.44 | 2.4|PERCENT| | 11.71 | -1.5|PERCENT| | 11.53 | 0.8|PERCENT| |
| Adrian Beltre | 31.04 | 1.2|PERCENT| | 31.41 | -0.6|PERCENT| | 31.22 | 0.6|PERCENT| |
| David Wright | 32.92 | 1.1|PERCENT| | 33.28 | 0.7|PERCENT| | 33.50 | 1.8|PERCENT| |
| Ryan Zimmerman | 41.63 | 0.0|PERCENT| | 41.61 | -0.4|PERCENT| | 41.46 | -0.4|PERCENT| |
| Brett Lawrie | 54.08 | 1.8|PERCENT| | 55.08 | 4.4|PERCENT| | 57.48 | 6.3|PERCENT| |
| Alex Rodriguez | 60.27 | 0.9|PERCENT| | 60.83 | -0.8|PERCENT| | 60.37 | 0.2|PERCENT| |
| Pablo Sandoval | 68.91 | 0.2|PERCENT| | 69.06 | 4.2|PERCENT| | 71.99 | 4.5|PERCENT| |
| Aramis Ramirez | 69.54 | -1.7|PERCENT| | 68.36 | 0.0|PERCENT| | 68.39 | -1.7|PERCENT| |
| Kevin Youkilis | 84.80 | 0.2|PERCENT| | 84.95 | -0.3|PERCENT| | 84.67 | -0.2|PERCENT| |
| Mark Reynolds | 118.82 | -0.6|PERCENT| | 118.06 | 0.6|PERCENT| | 118.71 | -0.1|PERCENT| |
| David Freese | 162.87 | -1.4|PERCENT| | 160.60 | -0.9|PERCENT| | 159.22 | -2.2|PERCENT| |
| Ryan Roberts | 196.21 | 0.0|PERCENT| | 196.23 | 0.0|PERCENT| | 196.17 | 0.0|PERCENT| |
| Mike Moustakas | 215.66 | -1.3|PERCENT| | 212.95 | -1.6|PERCENT| | 209.59 | -2.8|PERCENT| |
| Chipper Jones | 221.15 | -0.3|PERCENT| | 220.50 | -0.3|PERCENT| | 219.74 | -0.6|PERCENT| |
| Chase Headley | 226.72 | -0.4|PERCENT| | 225.84 | -0.7|PERCENT| | 224.29 | -1.1|PERCENT| |
| Pedro Alvarez | 231.95 | -0.9|PERCENT| | 229.72 | -0.5|PERCENT| | 228.56 | -1.4|PERCENT| |
| Ty Wigginton | 235.70 | -0.1|PERCENT| | 235.43 | 0.4|PERCENT| | 236.32 | 0.3|PERCENT| |
| Danny Valencia | 235.75 | 0.9|PERCENT| | 237.82 | 22.2|PERCENT| | 290.95 | 23.2|PERCENT| |
| Mike Aviles | 236.79 | -5.2|PERCENT| | 224.38 | 23.5|PERCENT| | 277.11 | 17.0|PERCENT| |
| Mat Gamel | 238.85 | -3.9|PERCENT| | 229.55 | 15.3|PERCENT| | 264.70 | 10.8|PERCENT| |
| Casey McGehee | 240.85 | -1.0|PERCENT| | 238.53 | -0.1|PERCENT| | 238.33 | -1.0|PERCENT| |
| Lonnie Chisenhall | 256.43 | -12.5|PERCENT| | 224.38 | -3.4|PERCENT| | 216.75 | -15.5|PERCENT| |
| Miguel Tejada | 270.91 | 3.4|PERCENT| | 280.21 | 10.3|PERCENT| | 309.17 | 14.1|PERCENT| |
| Brent Morel | 278.15 | 1.1|PERCENT| | 281.25 | 0.0|PERCENT| | 281.25 | 1.1|PERCENT| |
| Scott Sizemore | 323.64 | 8.9|PERCENT| | 352.59 | 0.9|PERCENT| | 355.70 | 9.9|PERCENT| |
| Jose Lopez | 325.71 | 0.3|PERCENT| | 326.74 | 1.3|PERCENT| | 330.88 | 1.6|PERCENT| |
| Chone Figgins | 337.08 | -2.8|PERCENT| | 327.78 | 0.0|PERCENT| | 327.78 | -2.8|PERCENT| |
| Alberto Callaspo | 369.14 | ND | ND | |||
| Ian Stewart | 410.50 | 0.0|PERCENT| | 410.50 | 8.6|PERCENT| | 445.65 | 8.6|PERCENT| |
| Juan Uribe | 416.70 | 0.5|PERCENT| | 418.77 | -0.2|PERCENT| | 417.74 | 0.2|PERCENT| |
While Evan Longoria sits atop the third base rankings here, it must be pointed out that Jose Bautista played 25 games at the hot corner last season thus qualifying at the position and Miguel Cabrera will earn his eligibility within the first two weeks of the season. We've already noted the multi-posiiton eligibility impact on their ADP, but felt the need to re-iterate here when discussing the depth at the position. If you count the two of them…or even just Bautista for now, the power potential and quality here runs through atleast the top 11 before a truly significant drop off in talent.
Everyone continues to be enamored with youth again. After just 171 plate appearances at the major league level, everyone wants Brett Lawrie. His current ADP is at 54.08 which is up 6.3|PERCENT| from two weeks ago and he continues to be scooped up in the late 4th/early 5th round ahead of plenty of proven talent. It's a good thing that position scarcity comes into play here still because if you want him, you're obviously going to have to pay.
We're seeing a slight increase in ADP for guys like Pablo Sandoval (+4.5|PERCENT|) and even Alex Rodriguez (0.2|PERCENT|) as people are more comfortable having a top third baseman than they are waiting a few rounds, but if you look at the group of players just below, you'll see some drop-off in their ADP ranks. We're talking from Aramis Ramirez (ADP – 69.54, -1.7|PERCENT|) all the way down through Pedro Alvarez (ADP – 231.95, -1.4|PERCENT|). I'd say the top half of that group is losing ground due to the middle infield running so dry this year, and the bottom half loses ground due to the talent drop.
The biggest climbers right now are found even further down with Danny Valencia (+23.2|PERCENT|), Mike Aviles (+17.0|PERCENT|), and Mat Gamel (+10.8|PERCENT|). You probably wouldn't want any of them as your primary third basemen, but each of them are deserving of a look if you need a corner infielder. Valencia has the job to himself in Minnesota, Aviles will get plenty of shortstop work (and likely gain added eligibility) now that Boston has dealt both Jed Lowrie and Marco Scutaro, and Gamel will be given every opportunity to own the first base job in Milwaukee. While all three have seen an increase over the last two weeks, take notice of the drop in the past week. They'll settle in right where they are – worth a look in the 19th or 20th round.
Oakland's Scott Sizemore is starting to gain a little ground as the A's primary third baseman this season. He's seen a 9.9|PERCENT| increase over the last two weeks and the majority of that increase is over the last seven days. If he continues to trend upwards, you should probably consider him up in the same range as Valencia and the other two just mentioned.
The biggest drop off we've seen at the position (-15.5|PERCENT|) is found with Cleveland third sacker Lonnie Chisenhall who was supposed to have the job all to himself finally. However, The Tribe not only signed Jose Lopez to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, but then it was announced that Chisenhall would be in a full-on competition with Jack Hanahan for third base duties this year. Even if Chisenhall wins the job, the leash will obviously be a short one so if he doesn't come out of the gate hot, expect a platoon to develop. That ADP rank will probably continue to drop a little more in the coming weeks.
Most Inexplicable ADP Increase: Miguel Tejada, FA (+14.1|PERCENT|) – There has to be some sort of confusion here. Tejada remains unsigned and although he is working out diligently in Florida, there have been no offers coming his way. Perhaps there is a glitch in the system and the numbers are being crossed with those of the New York Mets Single-A shortstop prospect of the same name. Otherwise, if people are still drafting the elder Tejada and banking on any kind of fantasy production, then please invite me into your league soon. My email is at the bottom.
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Howard Bender has been covering fantasy sports for over ten years on a variety of web sites including Rotowire,FanGraphs and The Fantasy Baseball Buzz. You can follow him on Twitter at @rotobuzzguy or email him at rotobuzzguy@gmail.com.