Having an early, mid, and late-round target at each position is essential for drafting successfully. This will help fantasy baseball managers prepare for when another manager snipes the player you have had in your draft queue for two rounds that you have been waiting to pick. Below are my favorite targets at third base for various points in drafts. I have been using NFBC ADP over the last week for reference.
Early Round Target
Manny Machado – SD
If you miss out on Jose Ramirez, my next favorite third baseman in fantasy baseball this season is Manny Machado. As an early-round target, it does not get much better at the position.
Aside from 2020, Machado has been extremely productive, never finishing a season with fewer than 28 home runs, 75 runs, 85 RBI, or a .258 AVG. He is a high-floor player who can fill all five roto categories. He also possesses solid discipline numbers that make him valuable in most other formats.
Machado has elite hard contact, ranking 18th in HardHit rate last season among all qualified hitters. His 11% barrel rate was 43rd best of 129 batters. He also has been extremely consistent in his contact rate for his career, ranging between 76% and 79% since 2016.
Machado is about as reliable as it gets for an early-round target at any position and should be considered one of your top priorities to draft in the first few rounds.
Mid Round Target
Matt Shaw – ChC
Matt Shaw has yet to play a game in the majors, but his minor league track record suggests he could return huge value as a mid-round target.
Across the upper levels of the minors in 2024, Shaw hit 21 homers and stole 31 bags. He was also a run producer, accounting for 149 runs and RBI combined. Shaw also posted a .284 AVG across double and triple-A. He has shown the ability to hit for power and average across all levels of the minors and has flashed decent speed as well. Projections have him landing in the 15-20 home run and steal range in the majors while batting between .240-.250.
The Cubs’ depth chart on MLB.com lists Shaw as the primary third baseman, and he should not face much competition for playing time.
If Shaw can produce similarly to how he has in the minors, he could finish as a top-10 third baseman or better. Make him a mid-round target in your upcoming drafts.
Late Round Target
Jeimer Candelario – CIN
Jeimer Candelario has been productive when given the opportunity for regular PAs. In the three seasons where he has played in at least 140 games, he has put up solid numbers. That includes at least 19 homers twice, at least 70 runs all three years, at least 65 RBI twice, and a .250 AVG or better twice.
The key here is that Terry Francona, the Reds’ manager, has said he will give Candelario the reins at third base to start the season. If he produces, it will be hard to keep his bat out of the lineup, despite the glut of offensive options in Cincy.
Candelario’s best asset that should keep his AVG afloat is his ability to drive and pull the ball well, combined with league-average hard contact. That should result in some balls leaving the park, as it did for him in 2024. Last season, he launched 20 homers in 112 games, including 15 at Great American Ballpark.
He has been going after pick 300, which makes him a deep-league late-round target. But he should be on everyone’s radar and could be a sleeper in 2025 drafts.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
