2016 Fantasy Baseball: Top 15 Third Basemen

15. Yunel Escobar - Los Angeles Angels

Projected 2016 Stats: .271 batting average, 8 HRs, 41 RBIs Escobar certainly isn't an everyday fantasy starter, but after overachieving last season, he's a solid backup option. In a solid Angels lineup, he might have more opportunities to produce runs, which means higher fantasy value.

14. Martin Prado - Miami Marlins

Projected 2016 Stats: .279 batting average, 10 HRs, 56 RBIs Prado isn't great at anything, but he's a solid all-around player. He's also going to be eligible at multiple positions, which makes him a versatile backup option. If you're looking for solid production out of a guy who won't be in your lineup everyday, look no further than Prado.

13. Matt Duffy - San Francisco Giants

Projected 2016 Stats: .281 batting average, 14 HRs, 70 RBIs Duffy burst onto the scene as a rookie and could be even better in his sophomore campaign. It will be interesting to see if he can grow more into his power, and he will continue to develop a run producer. As is the case with many San Francisco batters, he steps up in the clutch, which makes him a solid RBI guy.

12. Pablo Sandoval - Boston Red Sox

Projected 2016 Stats: .268 batting average, 15 HRs, 68 RBIs After a terrible 2015 campaign, look for Kung Fu Panda to bounce back this year. He should have less pressure on him and should be more comfortable in his second season in Boston.

11. Evan Longoria - Tampa Bay Rays

Projected 2016 Stats: .280 batting average, 20 HRs, 73 RBIs Longoria is no longer an elite third baseman, but he's still a solid low-end starter option in fantasy leagues. If the Tampa Bay lineup takes some positive strides this year, he will have more RBI chances, which will work in the favor of his fantasy owners.

10. Mike Moustakas - Kansas City Royals

Projected 2016 Stats: .275 batting average, 19 HRs, 79 RBIs Moustakas finally lived up to his potential last season, combining his power hitting and ability to hit for average. He should stay right around the numbers he posted last year, which puts him into the top-10. In a very good Royals lineup, he should continue to be productive.

9. Adrian Beltre - Texas Rangers

Projected 2016 Stats: .281 batting average, 16 HRs, 67 RBIs At the age of 36, Beltre is still consistently knocking the cover off the ball. Something has to give eventually, but don't expect his numbers to dip that much in 2016. With the Rangers looking competitive this season, he will still have the fire necessary to produce. That means he's a solid starting option in most leagues.

8. Kyle Seager - Seattle Mariners

Projected 2016 Stats: .258 batting average, 28 HRs, 83 RBIs Seeger has proven to be a consistent power hitter in his first four full seasons in the league, and he's only getting better. If he can improve his ability to come through in the clutch, you're looking at a guy who could eclipse 100 RBIs for the first time in his career.

7. Matt Carpenter - St. Louis Cardinals

Projected 2016 Stats: .291 batting average, 18 HRs, 71 RBIs Carpenter broke out in the power department by hitting 28 home runs, but his average suffered as a result. He should be able to keep some of that power, but he's going to try and get back to being a great contact hitter. That should cause his HR numbers to dip slightly, while his average should come back up to around .300.

6. Corey Seager - Los Angeles Dodgers

Projected 2016 Stats: .294 batting average, 23 HRs, 88 RBIs Seager will play a couple of different positions in his rookie season, but third base looks to be his primary spot right now. He has already looked like a superstar in his short time in the bigs, and even though he's going to take his lumps like all rookies do, he's already almost a top-five player at the position.

5. Nolan Arenado - Colorado Rockies

Projected 2016 Stats: .276 batting average, 34 HRs, 103 RBIs Arenado had always been a great fielder, but it wasn't until last season that his offensive game really took off. Don't expect him to duplicate last year's NL-leading 42 home runs and 130 RBIs, but he will still be a top run producer in the NL.

4. Kris Bryant - Chicago Cubs

Projected 2016 Stats: .268 batting average, 34 HRs, 113 RBIs Bryant burst onto the scene last year and somehow lived up to lofty expectations. He's a mature hitter that seems less prone to slumps than most hitters his age, which means he should be able to build on his 2015. Hitting in one of baseball's deepest lineups, he will have the chance to be one of the top run producers in the game.

3. Todd Frazier - Chicago White Sox

Projected 2016 Stats: .261 batting average, 30 HRs, 104 RBIs Frazier will benefit from moving to Chicago this offseason because he now has slugger Jose Abreu hitting in front of him in the order. Of course, he had the same luxury with Joey Votto in Cincinnati, but Abreu is a more feared hitter at this point. Expect his power numbers to dip a bit after moving from a very hitter-friendly park in Cincy, but he's still a top third base option.

2. Manny Machado - Baltimore Orioles

Projected 2016 Stats: .302 batting average, 37 HRs, 121 RBIs This is the year Machado establishes himself as a superstar. He should be right in the AL MVP discussion as he hits in the heart of a very good order. It's hard to believe he's only 23 years old, but you won't be able to tell his youth as he dominates opposing pitching throughout the year.

1. Josh Donaldson - Toronto Blue Jays

Projected 2016 Stats: .288 batting average, 34 HRs, 112 RBIs Donaldson won the AL MVP last year behind a very impressive power-hitting campaign. It will be hard for him to duplicate those numbers this year, but he will still be a top run producer. Hitting in the heart of baseball's best lineup, he is set to be an MVP contender once again in 2016.