2020 Fantasy Baseball: Top 10 H2H third basemen, ranked

Eugenio Suarez, Cincinnati Reds

2019 MLB Season: .271 AVG / .930 OPS / 22 2B / 2 3B / 49 HR / 103 RBI

2020 STEAMER: .253 AVG / .839 OPS / 24 2B / 2 3B / 35 HR / 97 RBI

Unlike Chapman (#10), Eugenio Suarez is projected to see a significant drop in production this season. This may seem daunting, but when you consider the magical season he had in 2019, it’s difficult to disagree with the Steamer system.

In 2019, Suarez had the second-most home runs of any MLB player and posted a top-20 OPS of .930. It was by far his best MLB season yet. At the same time, however, Suarez struck out a league-leading 189 times, by far the most of his career.

Suarez enters 2020 with a vastly improved team. As a result, he will receive more protection in the lineup, thus providing him with a chance to post yet another great season. The 9-spot feels right for the veteran third baseman.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays

2019 MLB Season: .272 AVG / .772 OPS / 26 2B / 2 3B / 15 HR / 69 RBI

2020 STEAMER: .296 AVG / .866 OPS / 32 2B / 2 3B / 25 HR / 85 RBI

Though the Steamer system projects Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as the 11th ranked third baseman in the league, in H2H fantasy baseball leagues he’s ranked much higher. That’s because he’s still projected to be a top-tier hitter in the league.

Defensively, Vlad Jr. leaves a lot to be desired. Offensively, however, he is most definitely a force to be reckoned with. Don’t be surprised to see him go before some of the other third basemen on this list.

Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

2019 MLB Season: .282 AVG / .903 OPS / 35 2B / 1 3B / 31 HR / 77 RBI

2020 STEAMER: .274 AVG / .881 OPS / 35 2B / 2 3B / 30 HR / 90 RBI

In just 5-years, Kris Bryant has had a more decorated career than most men to wear a baseball uniform. He has a Rookie of the Year, an MVP, three All-Star selections, and a World Series to his name.

As you know, that means nothing in fantasy baseball. It’s all about the numbers.

This season, Bryant is expected to stay on par to 2019. I’d have to disagree with this, especially considering that he’s coming into the 2020 MLB season healthier and playing for a contract extension. Don’t be afraid to take Bryant higher, if necessary.

Manny Machado, San Diego Padres

2019 MLB Season: .256 AVG / .796 OPS / 21 2B / 2 3B / 32 HR / 85 RBI

2020 STEAMER: .272 AVG / .863 OPS / 29 2B / 3 3B / 37 HR / 102 RBI

At the time of it’s signing, Manny Machado owned the richest contract (10-years, $300M) in baseball history. Since then, that title has been passed to two other players: Bryce Harper (13-years, $330M) and Mike Trout (12-years, $426.5M).

Perhaps the pressure of the dollar got to Machado last season because his numbers really went down in his first season with the San Diego Padres. The good news is, however, that this season he is projected to bounce-back.

In fact, the Steamer system currently ranks MM as the 9th among all MLB third basemen. Offensively, he’s projected to improve across the board. That’s good for H2H fantasy baseball owners looking to take him higher than what we’re projecting him here.

Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox

2019 MLB Season: .311 AVG / .916 OPS / 54 2B / 4 3B / 32 HR / 115 RBI

2020 STEAMER: .300 AVG / .903 OPS / 42 2B / 3 3B / 32 HR / 103 RBI

Last season, Rafael Devers emerged as the force he flashed signs of back in 2017 when his home run off of Aroldis Chapman made him and a certain fan (above) a viral sensation. He led the league in 2B (54) and total bases (359), resulting in a top-15 season in terms of run creation (122 wRC).

This season, the Steamer system projects Devers to repeat the type of season he had in 2019, which is good news for fantasy baseball team owners. In fact, perhaps the most popular fantasy platform, ESPN him ranked in the top 3.

Call me crazy, but I might take him over Alex Bregman, and I’m a Yankees fan (shrug emoji).

Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians

2019 MLB Season: .255 AVG / .806 OPS / 33 2B / 3 3B / 23 HR / 83 RBI

2020 STEAMER: .278 AVG / .885 OPS / 39 2B / 3 3B / 31 HR / 101 RBI

In 2019, Jose Ramirez started the season off slowly. Some even worried that a suspicious report out of the Dominican Republic linking him to PED’s might be true.

In the end, as is often the case, Ramirez found his swing again, hitting .312 with a 1.025 OPS in the last 2-months of the season.

Ramirez is the first player on this list of third basemen in which the Steamer system and our ranking agree. Steamer expects Ramirez to have a bounce-back 2020 MLB season as do plenty of expert Fantasy Baseball analysts.

Pray that your opposing owners forget about his amazing end to the 2020 season, you may end up stealing him in later rounds.

Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels

2019 MLB Season: .319 AVG / 1.010 OPS / 44 2B / 3 3B / 34 HR / 126 RBI

2020 STEAMER: .284 AVG / .881 OPS / 37 2B / 2 3B / 28 HR / 98 RBI

Anthony Rendon has always been one of those understated power-houses. The type of player that doesn’t get much coverage and attention, but quietly ends up at the top of the list of best third basemen in the game year-in and year-out.

This offseason, Rendon finally got the superstar treatment he deserves in the form of 7-years and $245M, the third richest contract for a third baseman in the game.

There’s little to say about Rendon. He’s a valuable commodity to any team. Feel comfortably taking him in the first round of your fantasy baseball draft if necessary. He won’t disappoint.

Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies

2019 MLB Season: .315 AVG / .962 OPS / 31 2B / 2 3B / 41 HR / 118 RBI

2020 STEAMER: .296 AVG / .943 OPS / 35 2B / 3 3B / 40 HR /114  RBI

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Like Rendon, Nolan Arenado is another one of those super-reliable third basemen. The type you take in the middle of the first round knowing that it will be a net positive when all is said and done.

Now, the Steamer system is projecting Arenado as the #6-ranked third baseman in the league. Pay no attention to this. Offensively, he will likely lead all of his hot corner peers in most categories.

Personally, I have the number five pick in my fantasy baseball draft this weekend. Though I’m projected to take Cody Bellinger, I might shock the league and take Arenado for the 2nd straight year.

Alex Bregman, Houston Astros

2019 MLB Season: .296 AVG / 1.015 OPS / 37 2B / 2 3B / 41 HR / 112 RBI

2020 STEAMER: .287 AVG / .938 OPS / 38 2B / 2 3B / 33 HR / 103 RBI

I feel like a broken record, but of all the third basemen on this list, Alex Bregman gives me the most pause. It’s not that I doubt his talent. Instead, it’s that I’m not sure that he’s really the B to Mike Trout‘s A.

Last season, Bregman delivered a season so good that he winning the AL MVP award by just four 1st-place votes. Then, the sign-stealing scandal broke and the whole existence of the Houston Astros organization post-2015 became a big fat question mark.

Don’t be surprised if Bregman dropped down in many Fantasy Baseball drafts. As for me, I’m keeping a safe distance from any Astros players.