Phantic Phantasy Baseball

Today's position: 3B

By Michael Rushton and Greg Wiley
The Phanatic Magazine

While not as deep as first base, the hot corner is another position that can wait until later rounds depending on where you are drafting. The top 3 players at the position -- Alex Rodriguez, Miguel Cabrera and David Wright -- are all possible first-round picks and there are some solid (though some risky) talent after that. This is another position where you should look for power and RBI.

Legend: (HR/RBI/AVE/RS/SB)

Wiley’s List

1) Alex Rodriguez (NYY) - Fortunately this isn't reality baseball. He's still a fantasy top-5.
2) Miguel Cabrera (Fla) - He's going to be good for a real long time. Remember he finished second for NL batting tile last year and went for 26/114/112.
3) David Wright (NYM) - Slow second half to 2006, but he's in the middle of areal good lineup.
4) Aramis Ramirez (ChC) - If you feel like waiting until June 1, he's your guy. He puts up huge numbers after slow starts.
5) Garrett Atkins (COL) - He's starting to take off and is at the prime age of27. Expect 30/125/.330/110.
6) Ryan Zimmerman (Was) - I really like this guy. I probably have him a little high considering the Nats don't have much around him, but expect30/110/.310/90.
7) Troy Glaus, (TOR) - Great for the power numbers. If his knees hold up he'll be good for 40/110/.270/100.
8) Scott Rolen, (STL) - A healthy Rolen is better than most. Just hope he's healthy.
9) Eric Chavez (OAK) - This guy should be anchoring the A's lineup, but was a disappointment last year. I expect a turnaround in 2007.
10) Chone Figgins (LAA) - Stolen bases, stolen bases, stolen bases.
11) Chad Tracy (ARI) - Entering his prime, 30/100/.300/100 is not out of reach.
12) Chipper Jones (ATL) - Another solid choice when healthy. Plus, the Braves always do well, don't they?

The other 13-20: Joe Crede (CWS), Freddy Sanchez (PIT), Mark Teahen(KAN), Edwin Encarnacion (CIN), Hank Blalock (TEX), Melvin Mora (BAL), Bill Hall (MIL), Adrian Beltre (SEA).


Rushton's List

1) Cabrera - Less risky than A-Rod due to his more stable environment. I'll take consistency any day of the week.
2) Rodriguez - He just scares me. I can honestly see a critic-silencing monster season, or a woe-is-me Jeter doesn't like me slump. Still, he is one of the best in the game.
3) Wright - The long MLB season caught up to Wright last year, but he is a year older and has a great supporting cast.
4) Ramirez - I had to listen to Wiley complain about him all last season, then he traded him and Ramirez exploded. Too good of a story not to pass on.
5) Atkins - His numbers say he could be a product of Coors Field, but 14 of his 29 homers last season came on the road.
6) Glaus - Everything you want out of a third baseman. Power, RBI, and bad knees. Keep an eye on his SS eligibility as well.
7) Zimmerman - Is doomed by lack of surrounding talent in Washington.Otherwise, could be a top 5 third baseman.
8) Rolen - Good numbers with just a big of A-Rod drama (Rolen's manager doesn't like him). Hey, didn't he have a problem with Philly?
9) Figgins - The exact opposite of what you typically want in a third baseman,but will run your steals up.
10) Jones - I'm still waiting for the year I can count out the Braves. Not going to do it this year, though. Health with Chipper is an issue.
11) Teahen - The Alex Gordon hype has put Teahen under the radar. You would be smart to keep him on yours.
12) Tracy - Ultimate sacrifice of speed for power.

The other 13-20: Crede, Chavez, Encarnacion, Blalock, Morgan Ensberg (HOU), Aubrey Huff (BAL), Sanchez, Beltre.

Phanatic Sleepers - Wilson Betemit (LAD), Akinori Iwamura (TAM), Alex Gordon (KAN).