If fantasy baseball managers want to win their leagues, using positional tiers will certainly help. This can help with planning ahead of drafts, and can help fantasy managers look for value and see weaknesses at one position versus another. Third base had been a shallow, top-heavy position in the past. This season, it is a bit deeper than usual, but still rather top-heavy. The quality starts to decline slightly after tier two, but steeply after tier three. This is one year where you do not necessarily have to draft a player from the hot corner in the first three rounds to be successful. But you should look for one in the first three tiers for sure.
Third Base Tiers
Third base arguably has the least amount of top-end depth this season. It is essential for fantasy managers to target third basemen in the top two or three tiers early in drafts. The drop-off in talent afterward is significant.
Tier 1: Superstars
- Jose Ramirez
- Manny Machado
- Rafael Devers
There is a clear top-tier of third basemen, that could potentially feature Austin Riley as well. What sets Jose Ramirez, Manny Machado, and Rafael Devers apart, though, is their consistency. Ramirez has four straight 20/20 seasons, which also includes a 30/20 season and a 30/40 season. He has hit .266 or better during that span. Machado has hit at least 28 homers in each of the last four seasons while posting a .277 AVG. Devers’ worst roto stats over the last four seasons have been 27 homers, 84 runs, 83 RBI, and a .271 AVG, which is incredibly impressive.
Each of these players are worthy of drafting in the first three rounds in 12-team leagues.
Tier 2: Stars
- Austin Riley
- Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Austin Riley dealt with oblique and hand injuries that cost him time and likely sapped some of his power. He was limited to under 30 home runs for the first time since the shortened 2020 season and his 80-game debut season in 2019. Riley was trending towards improving every year in the majors in every season, so if he is healthy this season, he could return more value than 3B4.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. finally stayed healthy in 2024 and hit 24 home runs, with 74 runs, 73 RBI, and 40 steals. He also hit for a .256 AVG. That has led to an ADP of 25 as 3B2. That is too rich for my blood for a player who has surpassed 100 games played in a season twice since 2021. If he can stay healthy, he will return more value and remain a high-value target. But I need to see another year of good health before I put him in the same tier as Ramirez.
Tier 3: Last Starters I’m Comfortable With
- Mark Vientos
- Junior Caminero
- Jake Burger
- Matt Chapman
- Alex Bregman
- Jordan Westburg
- Matt Shaw
- Eugenio Suarez
- Luis Rengifo
- Josh Jung
- Royce Lewis
- Connor Norby
- Jeimer Candelario
- Ryan McMahon
- Alec Bohm
- Nolan Arenado
- Isaac Paredes
Tier three has some great options if you don’t land one of the top five third basemen. You can absolutely win your leagues with one of these guys as your top third basemen. According to Steamer, Mark Vientos projects to lead third basemen in home runs in 2025. Junior Caminero, Jake Burger, and Isaac Paredes also project to be top-10 in homers for third basemen.
As for Paredes, the move to Houston should be great for his production. He averages a 53% pull rate for his career, while also driving the ball well. That should play well in Minute Maid Park, which was the eighth friendliest hitter’s park overall last season for righty batters.
I like Burger’s move to the Rangers as well, which is a much better team context for him than Miami. Matt Chapman is another interesting option in this tier. He had a resurgent year in San Francisco last season and will stay there for 2025. If Luis Rengifo plays every day at second base this year, he has a shot at a 20/20 season and has been drafted after pick 150.
Tier 4: Solid Depth
- Jose Miranda
- Max Muncy
- Willi Castro
- Ke’Bryan Hayes
- Joey Ortiz
- Maikel Garcia
- Matt Vierling
- Christopher Morel
- Coby Mayo
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa
- Dylan Moore
This is where the talent drops off a cliff, though there is some value to be found here. These are mostly bench players in 10-team leagues. But for 12 and 15-team leagues, you might end up with some of these players in your corner infield slot.
Jose Miranda has some value as a player who could reach double-digit home runs with an AVG over .260. The same goes for Ke’Bryan Hayes, who could also swipe double-digit bases. The risk is that both could face playing time concerns. Matt Vierling has similar potential as well for a Detroit team on the rise.
The other players have some flaws in their games, which is why they rank in the lower tiers. Dylan Moore, Christopher Morel, Maikel Garcia, Joey Ortiz, and Max Muncy all offer value in either the power or speed roto categories, but all struggle in batting average.
Tier 5: Deep League Depth Pieces
- Josh Smith
- Jose Caballero
- Edmundo Sosa
- Oswaldo Cabrera
- Brett Baty
- Miguel Vargas
- Lenyn Sosa
- Ernie Clement
- Josh Rojas
- Jose Tena
- Noelvi Marte
- Paul DeJong
Similar to some of the tier four players, the third basemen in tier five have flaws or limitations that hold them back from being valued higher. Some may have issues producing in the roto categories, and others may face limited playing time.
My favorite options here are Ernie Clement and Noelvi Marte. Clement was a bit of a late bloomer but posted 12 home runs, 48 runs, 51 RBI, 12 steals, and a .263 AVG in his fourth season in the bigs as a 28-year-old. He could lock down an everyday spot in Toronto if they do not bring in someone like Alex Bregman. He may face competition from Orelvis Martinez, though, which limits his upside.
Spring training will be extra important for Marte. The Reds have a crowded infield, so he will have to earn his keep. If he gets the bulk of the starts at third, he could be one of the best value picks at the position. If he starts the season in the minors, he could be a bust of a draft pick.
Tier 6: Dart Throws
- Eguy Rosario
- Ramon Urias
- Gio Urshela
- Chris Taylor
- Jon Berti
- Anthony Rendon
- Brady House
- Jace Jung
- Santiago Espinal
- DJ LeMahieu
Tier 7: Super Deep Dart Throws
- Donovan Solano
- Darell Hernaiz
- Enrique Hernandez
- Zach McKinstry
- Kyle Farmer
- Jared Triolo
- Abraham Toro
- Jose Iglesias
- Andruw Monasterio
- Oliver Dunn
- Addison Barger
- Max Schuemann
- Tyler Wade
- Bryan Ramos
- Ildemaro Vargas
- Ezequiel Duran
- Brock Wilken
- Trey Lipscomb
- Nick Senzel
- Brett Harris
- Gabriel Arias
- Luis Urias
- Miguel Sano
- Jose Fermin
- Nick Madrigal
- Tyler Nevin
- Emmanuel Rivera
- Danny Mendick
- David Bote
- Zack Short
- Davis Wendzel
Tiers six and seven are full of dart throws that fantasy managers are simply hoping to pan out. These are minor leaguers, or free agents that could produce if they catch on with a team. But most of these are players that will only get drafted in leagues of 15 teams or more.
Think we should rearrange any players into different tiers? Share it in the comments below. 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.
