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The third base position has notoriously been a power spot in fantasy baseball lineups. Most third basemen easily hit 20 home runs and some of the biggest names in baseball currently occupy the hot corner.
Around the web at the moment, though, there is a good deal of debate about how to rank the third base position. Most can agree on the top four options being Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Beltre, Evan Longoria, and David Wright. However, the fifth ranked player has been widely contested around the fantasy world.
To me, the hands down fifth-best fantasy third basemen is Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals.
Zimmerman is easily one of the most underrated power hitters in the game. The veteran has blasted 24 or more homers in four of the last five seasons. Now, he doesn’t possess the game-chnagning power of Miguel Cabrera, but Zimmerman’ will still be good for another 20-plus homers again in 2014.
Most assume Zimmerman is an injury risk. However, the veteran has played in at least 142 in four of his last five seasons. He has become a rock for fantasy owners to lean on, and in the process, has completely solidified his spot in Washington’s lineup. Durability counts in fantasy and Zimmerman has been one of the most durable fantasy options at his position for a half decade.
Zimmerman will have another top-five season at the hot corner and will be worth owning in all formats. If you can’t get your hands on Miggy or Longoria in the first couple rounds, don’t feel bad about having to settle for Zimmerman.
2014 Projection: .289 Batting Average, 27 HRs, 92 runs, 96 RBIs
Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.
