Third base has slowly become a deep position over the years, and it continues to grow. Based on average ADP data collected by FantasyPros from ESPN, Fantrax and Yahoo there are six third basemen taken in the first three rounds. Good news is that if you don’t get a chance to grab at least one of these top players for the hot corner, you are not out of luck. You can find players in the middle and late rounds of your draft that you can feel comfortable drafting.

For those who are unfamiliar with what ADP, it is data collected by many drafts by different websites and used to see when players are taken. FantasyPros allows you to see this information, and you can it in a couple different ways. If you just want to see the ADP of players on your host site (ESPN, Fantrax and Yahoo to name a few), you can. You can also see overall average draft positions to see when every player is getting taken. Or you can do exactly what I use it for, which is to separate by position and see first which order the players are taken, and what the average draft slot the player is taken overall on my host site. It is important to know that you should not use the order players are taken as the end all be all rankings, but rather a tool to find your sleepers and where you may have to draft a player you like a little earlier than you thought.

Courtesy of My Chi News

Kris Bryant (ESPN: 28, Fantrax: 31, Yahoo: 30, Average: 30)

I will be taking all the Kris Bryant shares I can get my hands on this year. There is no doubt that last year was a disappointing season for him, but it has in fact helped him coming into 2019. The price has dropped significantly, in some leagues he could have been going in the first round in years past and now you can get him as late as during the third round. We saw the effects of the shoulder injury last year and leaving owners concerned is understandable, but he has had all off season to get it better. Spring training stats do not matter, but you can use some of that information to your benefit. For instance, what kind of contact is he making? Is it soft contact, or is he driving the ball to the outfield? So far it looks as though we are getting the old Kris Bryant back. There are many good third basemen this year, but what can help Bryant’s value can be his duel eligibility, as he was able to regain outfield for this season. Bryant will be someone I will be targeting to take on the bounce back chance, especially if I can get potentially first round production out of the second or third round.

Josh Donaldson (ESPN: 115, Fantrax: 85, Yahoo: 84, Average: 95)

Josh Donaldson is someone I am very much buying in 2019 at his current ADP. He can still be a lethal bat in the new Braves organization. The past few years have been riddled with injuries. Two years ago Donaldson had a very big second half to save his fantasy value. The same could not be said about this year, but you can use that to your advantage for 2019. I can fully see Donaldson getting back to his power numbers and being a fantasy asset. In my personal positional rankings I have him at #6. That is after Rendon, but before Turner and Guerrero Jr.

Rafael Devers (ESPN: 156, Fantrax: 131, Yahoo: 126, Average: 138)

The fantasy community has been very quick to write off Rafael Devers. When he came up in 2017 and hit ten home runs in his short stint with the Red Sox, everyone got so excited. Then last year he only hit 21 home runs and did not do it with a high average. If Devers hit the 21 home runs with around a .280 average in 2018, he would be viewed very similarly to how Matt Chapman performed last season. Similar to Donaldson, you can use this to your advantage. Unfortunately in a dynasty and possibly keeper league, Devers was still kept for upside. In redraft leagues is where you can really benefit. Devers could very easily hit is expectations of around 30 HR with a high average and find himself much higher ranked going into 2020. If you are able to, then take the flyer on Devers for this season and don’t let a sophomore slump be the reason you miss out.

Courtesy of Chris Szagola / The Associated Press

Scott Kingery (ESPN: 400, Fantrax: 341, Yahoo: 238, Average: 326)

Ok I admit, this one is a little cheating, but I love Scott Kingery for this season. There are two main reasons I want him in 2019, he will have lots of positional eligibility and there is zero risk based off ADP. Kingery is currently going to be used as the super utility role. He can play third, short, second and probably some outfield too. If he can gain all those positions he will gain so much value especially with the amount of off days this season. Last year he played 4 games at 2B, 10 games at 3B, 119 games at SS and 7 games in the OF. With shortstop more locked up with Segura, he will play less there but spread his playing time everywhere else. The reason there is zero risk with Kingery is that you probably do not have to draft him, if you do it will be your last pick. Yahoo has him ranked the highest and even the 238 rank will be close to the end of most leagues. There is still the 20/20 upside with him and even in the super utility role, he can produce. If he starts doing well then he can play more often and possibly take over for a struggling starter.

Major League Fantasy Baseball Radio Show: Join host Brian Roach, Jr, and Cole Freel live on Sunday March 17th, 2019 from 8-9:45pm EST for episode #145 of Major League Fantasy Baseball Radio. We are a live broadcast that will take callers at 323-870-4395. Press 1 to speak with the host. You can listen live on blogtalk, majorleaguefantasysports.com, or download the podcast on I-Tunes or any Android podcast app. Our topic this week is Bullpens and Catchers.

Major League Fantasy Baseball Radio Show: Join host Brian Roach, Jr, and Cole Freel live on Sunday March 24th, 2019 from 7:30-9:45pm EST for episode #146 of Major League Fantasy Baseball Radio. We are a live broadcast that will take callers at 323-870-4395. Press 1 to speak with the host. You can listen live on blogtalk, majorleaguefantasysports.com, or download the podcast on I-Tunes or any Android podcast app. This will be our first LIVE Major League Fantasy Baseball draft show. The boys will be doing a play by play while Kevin Bzdek is drafting in MLFB1. We will be taking live calls from the league owners as well.

Our guest this week is Kevin Bzdek. Kevin is a writer, editor, league mate with majorleaguefantasysports.com, and will be the live drafter.

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Brandon Ziman

Grew up playing baseball since I could hold a bat. Played baseball through high school and college. Somehow became a Yankee fan even though I grew up in a Boston based family. From Connecticut, attended Western Connecticut State University and studied Financial Management. Also self proclaimed: Biggest Casual Curling (sport not workout) fan, so hit me up all your burning curling questions, because I know you have them