Third Basemen to Target in 2018

Third base is a rather deep position in 2018. It features a good mixture of old names and young players looking to break out. There is still plenty of value to be had at the position. Here are a few players I am targeting on draft day to fill third base:

Travis Shaw

Current Rank: 58
Expect Consensus Rank: 86

Shaw was the #63 overall player and #5 third baseman in fantasy last season. He improved his production against left-handed pitchers and should remain a regular in the Brewers lineup. I expect more of the same from Shaw in 2018. Shouldn’t that mean he will finish around the same spot at the end of 2018?

Rafael Devers

Current Rank: 84
Expect Consensus Rank: 89

The ECR is pretty spot on with this ranking but I still want all the Devers I can draft. Devers hit .284 with 10 home runs, 30 RBIs and 34 runs in just 58 games for the Red Sox in 2017. That’s a full season pace of 28 home runs, 84 RBIs and 95 runs. Pretty great value in the late 8th round. He’s also a 20-year-old with a much higher ceiling. He could get a few steals as well, as he had 18 steals in the minors in 2016.

Matt Chapman

Current Rank: 220
Expect Consensus Rank: 281

The batting average is bad (.234 in 2017) but the power is legit. Chapman hit 14 homers over 84 games for the Athletics. That’s a pace of 27 home runs. Chapman also has a 36-homer season in the minors in 2016. Chapman has 30+ HR upside with a current ADP of 278. He is a late round flier with similar potential as many other high power/low batting average guys that are going much earlier in drafts.

In addition to these players, here are a few other options who are currently ranked outside the Top 300 of the FantasyPros Expert Consensus Rankings:

J.P. Crawford
My Rank: 307 Expert Consensus Rank: 347
He’ll be the everyday shortstop for the Phillies in 2018. Great plate discipline. Solid five-category guy.

Matt Davidson
My Rank: 313 Expert Consensus Rank: 410
Very similar to Chapman but strikes out more. 30+ homer upside for cheap.

Nick Senzel
My Rank: 359 Expert Consensus Rank: 415
Top 10 prospect across all prospect ranking sites. Could put up numbers similar to Alex Bregman in 2017.