Matthew Pouliot

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May Third Baseman Rankings

Monday, May 02, 2011


Welcome to the May rankings. Players are ranked based on how much value I believe they'll provide in 5x5 leagues over the rest of the season. Along with the position rankings, you'll find a fully updated top 250 list.

Click to see other May rankings:
Top 250 | SP | RP | OF | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | C | DH

Third basemen

Falling off: Dayan Viciedo (No. 32), Brooks Conrad (No. 33), Joe Crede (No. 34), Mat Gamel (No. 36), Matt Dominguez (No. 38), Juan Francisco (No. 39)

  • Saturday was a devastating day for the third base rankings, as Zimmerman (abdomen) and Sandoval (hamate) were lost for the month of May. Jerry Hairston Jr. and Alex Cora will continue to have very limited value filling in for Zimmerman in Washington. It looks like the Giants have decided to move Miguel Tejada back to third, even though their backup shortstop is a natural second baseman in Mike Fontenot. Fontenot looks like the better pickup in NL-only leagues than Ryan Rohlinger.

  • Polanco isn't only already a third of the way to reaching my RBI projection of 54, but he's halfway to the steal projection of six. Polanco hasn't finished a season with more than seven steals since 2003, but he's 3-for-3 this year. He's a great sell-high candidate.

  • Roberts is sporting a 1000 OPS, so it says a lot about his defense that the Diamondbacks have resumed giving Mora the majority of the playing time at third base lately. With left field open, Roberts should remain in the lineup for the most part while hot. However, once he crashes, he could quickly turn into a non-factor, even in NL-only leagues.

  • Freese appears to be done for a month due to a broken bone in his left hand. Tyler Greene, Matt Carpenter, Nick Punto and Daniel Descalso will now share time between two positions until Skip Schumaker (biceps) returns. Carpenter might have some short-term value in NL-only leagues.


    • Third Baseman Rankings

    RankThird basemanTeamApril
    1 Alex Rodriguez Yankees 1
    2 Jose Bautista Blue Jays 4
    3 Evan Longoria Rays 2
    4 David Wright Mets 3
    5 Adrian Beltre Rangers 6
    6 Kevin Youkilis Red Sox 9 1B
    7 Mark Reynolds Orioles 7
    8 Michael Young Rangers 9
    9 Aramis Ramirez Cubs 10
    10 Ryan Zimmerman Nationals 5
    11 Chipper Jones Braves 19
    12 Pedro Alvarez Pirates 11
    13 Placido Polanco Phillies 17
    14 Pablo Sandoval Giants 8
    15 Casey McGehee Brewers 16
    16 Chase Headley Padres 13
    17 Danny Valencia Twins 15
    18 Ian Stewart Rockies 12
    19 Scott Rolen Reds 18
    20 Wilson Betemit Royals 26
    21 Edwin Encarnacion Blue Jays 20
    22 Kevin Kouzmanoff Athletics 21
    23 Chris Johnson Astros 22
    24 Alberto Callaspo Angels 28
    25 Ryan Roberts Diamondbacks 195 OF
    26 Brandon Inge Tigers 25
    27 Casey Blake Dodgers 23
    28 Jack Hannahan Indians 55
    29 David Freese Cardinals 24
    30 Brent Morel White Sox 27
    31 Mark Teahen White Sox 29
    32 Eric Chavez Yankees 14 DH
    33 Jorge Cantu Padres 31
    34 Melvin Mora Diamondbacks 30
    35 Emilio Bonifacio Marlins 95 OF
    36 Andy LaRoche Athletics 37
    37 Mike Moustakas Royals 44
    38 Miguel Cairo Reds 35
    39 Lonnie Chisenhall Indians 40
    40 Greg Dobbs Marlins NR



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    Matthew Pouliot is the Executive Editor of RotoWorld.com and has been doing the site's baseball projections for the last 10 years. Follow him on Twitter at matthewpouliot.
    Email :Matthew Pouliot

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