Throughout draft season, fantasy baseball analysts like me concluded that, outside of catcher, third base would be the weakest position in 2026. Nearly a month into the season, the options at the hot corner are even worse than we expected.
Remarkably, there are more catchers than third basemen who have been top 50 players. There are just five third basemen who have been top 100 assets, which is the fewest of any infield position. Overall, there are good odds that your third baseman is doing his part to drag your team down.
After assessing the catcher position last Tuesday, let’s take a look at the advanced stats that can guide managers to make smart decisions with their third base spot. There are some exciting buy-low options, and a few players whom you should stay away from.
Top 100 players so far
José Ramírez, Guardians: The top third base option has already recovered from a mediocre start. The best news is that Ramírez has earned a .292 xBA and .569 xSLG that are much better than his actual marks. The icing on the cake is that the Guardians rank 17th in runs scored, which is a notable improvement from 2025. Managers would be wise to target him in trade talks.
Max Muncy, Dodgers: Muncy has a 3-homer game and a pair of 2-homer games. Two of those three outstanding efforts have come at Coors Field. Outside of those three contests, he has collected 12 hits, one homer and one RBI. Admittedly, someone with eight homers should have more than nine RBI, especially when he plays on an excellent team. His strikeout rate is up (29.4%) and his walk rate is down (10.6%). The injury-prone veteran is 53% rostered and can be used in 12-team leagues until he lands on the IL.
Munetaka Murakami, White Sox: Everything about Murakami has been as advertised. He crushes the baseball (95.1 mph average exit velocity), knows how to draw a walk (21.5%) and strikes out too often (33.3%). What you see is what you get.
Think Eugenio Suárez (more on him later), and if that’s appealing to you, go ahead and acquire Murakami. My one reason for pause is that major league hurlers could adjust to him as the season progresses.
JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals: The Cardinals’ top prospect is off to a solid start and could continue to improve as the season progresses. Wetherhold has premium plate control, which has led to a 18.8% strikeout rate and a 13.9% walk rate. His .228 average has been held back by a .254 BABIP, and he could be a 20-20 player as a rookie. He’s a fine trade target.
Jeremiah Jackson, Orioles: Jackson has been a surprising contributor in an offense that has been slightly disappointing overall. Unfortunately, his expected stats are much lower than his actual marks, and there isn’t much in his skills profile to suggest that he can retain top 12 status (he’s currently fourth) at the position. Managers who have been using Jackson as a stopgap should continue to look for upgrades.
Disappointing, but too good to bench
Junior Caminero, Rays: Caminero is mostly the same player who hit .264 with 45 homers and 110 RBI last year. The main difference is that his average exit velocity is down two mph, and his switch in home parks has resulted in a .660 OPS at home, versus a .964 mark in home games in 2025. Better days are ahead for Caminero, but he wouldn’t be my top buy-low target.
Manny Machado, Padres: Machado is an excellent buy-low candidate. His strikeout rate is similar to recent seasons, and his walk rate is way up (18.2%). His problem thus far is that his quality of contact has shifted from good to awful (86.6 mph average exit velocity). One of baseball’s most consistent hitters, Machado is currently driving his fantasy managers crazy (2 HR, .186 BA) but should get back on track soon.
Austin Riley, Braves: The wait continues for Riley to regain his old power skills. The slugger has logged an improved walk rate (10.1%) and strikeout rate (21.2%), and thanks to new Braves first base coach Antoan Richardson, Riley may post his first double-digit steals total. Unfortunately, all of those improvements are overshadowed by another mediocre homer total. I’m not against acquiring Riley via trade, but my expectations are in check.
Maikel García, Royals: Aside from a slightly elevated strikeout rate, García is the same hitter we saw during his breakout 2025 season. His fantasy value has been held in check by two factors — he isn’t running the bases aggressively and the Royals rank 27th in runs scored. Like Riley and Machado, he’s a reasonable buy-low target.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., Yankees: Aside from compiling eight steals, Chisholm may be the most disappointing fantasy asset this season.
A top 30 pick in many leagues, he is striking out often (31.3%) and producing weak contact (87.4 mph average exit velocity). His .147 xBA shows that his .164 average is deserved. I would rather make a buy-low offer for Machado, García or Riley.
Bo Bichette, Mets: The expected stats via Statcast suggest that Bichette is a terrific buy-low target. Sure, his strikeout rate is up (23.5%), but his xBA (.291) and xSLG (.389) are both significantly higher than his actual marks.
This should be the part where I tell you to buy low on him. Unfortunately, the variables of a new team and a new contract have me worried. I’m going to leave Bichette with the manager who drafted him.
Eugenio Suárez, Reds: When we look past his respectable batting average (.256), Suárez isn’t playing well. His average exit velocity has plummeted to 85.4 mph. His batting mark has been helped by a .346 BABIP, and his .217 xBA is a good indicator of the skills he has shown so far. Suárez managers could try to include him in a trade offer for Machado, Riley or García.
Good enough in this economy
Kevin McGonigle, Tigers: McGonigle is a future star who may take a while to be an impact fantasy asset. The rookie could win a batting title sooner rather than later, as his .317 average is supported by a .316 xBA. His plate discipline is elite, and he could score 100 runs as the Tigers’ leadoff hitter. But he doesn’t hit the ball hard (88.5 mph average exit velocity) and lacks game-breaking speed. Managers may have to live with 10-15 homers and 10 steals.
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