Updated rankings – Third Basemen

Comments

6 responses to “Updated rankings – Third Basemen”

1. 

   Keith

   June 15, 2007

   It hurts seeing Braun that high, but I’m not sure I’d argue against it. Maybe Mr. Happy would be ranked higher as a catcher.

2. 

   RotoScoop

   June 15, 2007

   Braun is striking out too much and is a poor defender (committed five errors already), but he’s also in a pretty good situation batting third in that Brewer lineup. Plus, he can run – so that power/speed combo gives him quite a bit of upside. Ultimately, there aren’t too many great options at third base right now.

   That’s right – Mr. Happy gets a big boost in fantasy value in leagues where he qualifies at catcher now.

3. 

   Brett

   June 16, 2007

   My man, Braun might be ranked that highly if these rankings were in September. He’s got potential and is being given the opportunity, but I wouldn’t put him ahead of Atkins, Chipper, or Youk.

   Keeper league rankings, I’d leave him right there.

4. 

   RotoScoop

   June 16, 2007

   I can appreciate the questioning of Braun’s ranking, but it was more of an indictment of the third and fourth tier third basemen than a true top-5 proclamation.

   Chipper still hits like an All-Star when in the batter’s box, but his injury concerns were the main reason I knocked him below. Maybe he already got the yearly health problems out of the way, but any hand injury to a hitter is concerning, and I still say odds are he spends one more trip on the DL this season.

   Atkins – he’s striking out more this year (but Braun has that problem as well), and last year looks like his career-season, but I actually wouldn’t blame you for preferring him. It’s close, but I won’t argue there.

   Youk – I do like Youk a good amount. I think Braun will be better in both the HR and SB cats from here on out, and although he also hits in a better spot in his lineup, Youk could match or exceed the Run/RBI totals because of Boston’s lineup superiority. If Youk can continue hitting .330 over the rest of the season – his BABIP is about .30 points higher than his career number, but his contact rate has also greatly improved – then I would give the nod to Youk. Average seems to be maybe the most underrated fantasy cat. If he hits his career average of .275 from here on out, however, Braun deserves the nod.

5. 

   Donald Trump

   June 18, 2007

   How about ZImmerman? He has had a monster last 7 weeks! Below Braun and Atkins? No way.

6. 

   RotoScoop

   June 18, 2007

   I personally thought 5-8 (and maybe even Youk) were all very close in value, so it’s understandable each has their own preference regarding that tier. Zimmerman has been on a tear, it’s just that his poor lineup support hurts his counting stats (he hit crazy well w/ RISP last season, don’t expect another 110 RBI season), and batting in the 2nd best pitcher’s park gives him a 25-homer ceiling. In other words, his situation limits his upside somewhat. The fact he can chip in 10 SBs, however, is def. a plus.