MLB Positional Fantasy Rankings: Third Base

Here are theScore's 2016 fantasy third baseman rankings (projections provided by Steamer (via Fangraphs) and theScore staff):

Positional Rankings
C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF1 | OF2 | OF3 | DH | SP1 | SP2 | SP3 | RP

1. Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays

A full season with SS Troy Tulowitzki as his teammate will provide a boost for Donaldson, regardless of how they're intertwined within the Blue Jays' lineup. Donaldson may begin the season as the team's leadoff hitter, causing a slight decline in his RBI total from last season. The rest of his production should be close to his 2015 output, making him a sure-fire first-round fantasy pick.

2. Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies

Following a breakout 2015 season, Arenado will only continue to improve. The full season absences of Tulowitzki and OF Corey Dickerson will provide fewer chances for driving in runs, but OF Gerardo Parra is an adequate replacement. Arenado is a great choice early in the second half of round 1.

3. Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles

Machado could be taken over either Donaldson or Arenado, but injury concerns may cause some hesitation. All three are first-round talents, but Machado is the lone 20/20 threat of the trio. Valuing the steals over a few extra home runs is a fine personal preference.

4. Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

Bryant should be drafted behind the trio immediately above him, but he has the potential to finish 2016 as the toast of the class. With strikeouts bound to hurt his batting average until proven otherwise, he can be dropped into the earliest part of the second round.

5. Todd Frazier, Chicago White Sox

A move away from the hitter-friendly confines in Cincinnati to the only slightly less attractive U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago will cause a small dip in Frazier's home run totals. Leaving Reds 1B Joey Votto is another slight negative, but he'll join a superior lineup overall. He should repeat the 30 home runs, making him a nice get in the third or fourth rounds.​

6. Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals

With last season's home runs unlikely to be repeated, Carpenter represents the beginning of the second tier of third basemen. The power shouldn't fully disappear, and that slight regression should be met with an improved batting average. He'll continue scoring a high amount of runs in the consistent Cardinals lineup.

7. Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals

Rendon doesn't have the power numbers of a typical third baseman, making him better left for consideration at second base. He still offers a well-rounded stat line, highlighted by lofty expectations in the runs category. He's fine to draft as early as the fifth round.

8. Kyle Seager, Seattle Mariners

Seager should improve in 2016, though he'll need some help from his teammates. Owners would like to see him control his strikeout totals even more, and a boost in his BABIP should improve his batting average. The home runs may drop from some negative ISO regression.

9. Maikel Franco, Philadelphia Phillies

Franco looked every bit like a prototypical power-hitting third baseman upon joining the major leagues in 2015. The power will be present once again in 2016, as will a high batting average - but he's turning into a one-man show in Philadelphia. He won't have enough support from his teammates to achieve more than adequate run and RBI numbers.

10. Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers

Beltre's decline is imminent, as evidenced by last season's injuries. Owners need to be careful not to overpay based on past production at this stage of his career. He's far too much of a risk at an eighth-round ADP, but it's still tough to predict his downfall before it happens.

11. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays

Longoria comes with more risk than upside at this stage of his career and is without any other serious threats in the Rays' batting order. His batting average is likely to decline slightly, and he's much closer to hitting 20 home runs than 30. He's not worth the risk at his current ninth-round ADP.

12. Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals

Moustakas' second career 20-homer season may be repeatable, but owners shouldn't be expecting any more than the 22 he hit last season. His batting average is due to regress somewhat substantially, equalling fewer RBIs. He's still a starting third baseman, but owners shouldn't feel rushed to take him once the others start going off the board.

13. Justin Turner, Los Angeles Dogers

The batting average is repeatable for Turner, and a high OBP will come in combination. The return of OF Yasiel Puig will further solidify the Dodgers' lineup, resulting in more runs and RBIs for the 2015 breakout star. He's an adequate third baseman, but he's better suited to a corner infield spot.

▼14. Jung-ho Kang, Pittsburgh Pirates

More consistent playing time will boost Kang's numbers across the board following an impressive debut season. Most of the Pirates' key pieces from last season are returning for 2016, making Kang a good value pick in the neighborhood of the 10th round.

15. Matt Duffy, San Francisco Giants

Duffy's unimpressive power numbers make him a better option at second base, but he still holds value as a backup third baseman due to his impressive batting average and potential to score runs.

16. Josh Harrison, Pittsburgh Pirates

Similarly to Duffy, Harrison should ideally be left for second base. He's well worth drafting for a utility bench role, and he can be used as either a corner or middle infielder.

▲17. Hector Olivera, Atlanta Braves

Olivera is going widely undrafted, as is the case for most members of the Atlanta Braves. Still, he's their most intriguing bat other than 1B Freddie Freeman, and shouldn't have a problem hanging onto playing time. He has the upside to be worthy of a late flier.

18. Daniel Murphy, Washington Nationals

Murphy is best selected for use at second base, and he's going far too early in mixed-league drafts as a result of his 2015 postseason run. Owners should look elsewhere instead of using a 15th-round pick on him.

19. Trevor Plouffe, Minnesota Twins

The Twins are expected to have some redundancy at third base, but it's Plouffe's job to lose. If he can maintain consistent playing time, he'll offer adequate home run numbers, with an improved lineup around him offering more potential for runs and RBIs. Playing time is a major concern, though.

20. Brett Lawrie, Chicago White Sox

Lawrie remains worthy of drafting based on his potential. He isn't much more than a late-round flier at this point, but he'll be in a hitter-friendly park and batting near the middle of an offense loaded with potential.

▼21. Yasmany Tomas, Arizona Diamondbacks

Tomas will need more playing time to offer legitimate fantasy returns in 2016, and he should receive it. He's slated to be the Diamondbacks' everyday left fielder, while also maintaining 3B eligibility. He'll need to cut down on staggering strikeout totals from 2015, but has the potential to be a key bat behind 1B Paul Goldschmidt.

22. David Wright, New York Mets

Following a year ruined by a significant back injury, owners shouldn't be banking on much in terms of power from Wright. His average will suffer, as well. He's also at risk of re-injuring his back at any point, and owners should stay away.

23. Nick Castellanos, Detroit Tigers

Castellanos is going mostly undrafted, but he'll be worth keeping on the watch list for the early part of the season. He should be an everyday player at third base, as the proposed plan to have 1B Miguel Cabrera play some third and DH Victor Martinez to play first base has disaster written all over it.

▼24. Pablo Sandoval, Boston Red Sox

Sandoval is going undrafted in some standard mixed leagues. He's no stranger to a bounceback season after a poor showing, but since he can be had as a late-round flier, there's not much reason to take him earlier than that.

25. Jake Lamb, Arizona Diamondbacks

Lamb is an intriguing watch-list candidate due to his role in an interesting Diamondbacks lineup full of potential. The trade of 2B Aaron Hill opens up playing time at third base, and Lamb filled in admirably during an extended look there last season.

26. Yangervis Solarte, San Diego Padres

Solarte will receive significant playing time in a thin Padres lineup. He's not worth drafting, but he'll be worth watching, as he has been for the past several seasons.

27. Yunel Escobar, Los Angeles Angels

Angels manager Mike Scioscia seems determined to get Escobar into the lineup. Until Scioscia is convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that it's a bad idea, Escobar will score runs while hitting in front of OF Mike Trout. He may be worth adding for the early part of the season, but he'll be in tough to keep his spot at the top of the lineup all year.

28. Danny Valencia, Oakland Athletics

Valencia will struggle to receive regular playing time, thanks to the Athletics roster including so many versatile fielders. A year away from the friendly confines of Rogers Centre in Toronto is a negative for him. He's not much more than a late-round flier as he's predominantly a platoon hitter.

29. Derek Dietrich, Miami Marlins

Dietrich isn't assured of playing time. There's enough power in his bat to make him a man of interest, and he could be worth streaming during Miami's road trips through the American League if he's serving as a DH.

30. Joey Gallo, Texas Rangers

Those drafting Gallo will be hoping his power upside earns him consistent playing time in the Rangers' lineup. The acquisition of SS/OF Ian Desmond drastically hurts Gallo's projections, and he'll need Beltre to miss significant time due to injury in order to get a shot.