2007 Position Battles: Third Base

Kansas City Royals

Candidates:
Alex Gordon
Mark Teahen

Edge: Alex Gordon--Heading into Spring Training, it seemed as though we would have a battle to determine if Gordon, the 2006 Minor League Player of the Year, was ready force Mark Teahen from third to outfield, but that situation has cleared up over the last week. The Royals aren't simply going to concede the job to Gordon, but it appears that it's now his to lose. The bottom line is that there is a sliver of uncertainty regarding who will line up at the hot corner on Opening Day, but that sliver is microscopic—a polar opposite of Gordon's growing fantasy value.

Houston Astros

Candidates:
Morgan Ensberg
Mike Lamb
Mark Loretta

Edge: Morgan Ensberg--Ensberg is still the overwhelming favorite to be the Astros starting third baseman despite a lackluster 2006 campaign in which his average dropped by nearly 50 points, his home runs decreased by 13, and his RBI fell by roughly 50 percent. The team will keep Mike Lamb and Mark Loretta in the mix just to keep Morgan honest, but while the coaching staff hasn't so much as said Ensberg is the starter, he's penciled there. Moreover, when referring to Lamb or Loretta, it's in reference to the team's bench depth. Ensberg's 2006 stat line is burdened by a second half debilitating shoulder injury, but fantasy owners should recognize that the 18 homers prior to the All-Star break show that he's still capable of being a productive fantasy third baseman when healthy.

Milwaukee Brewers

Candidates:
Corey Koskie
Ryan Braun
Craig Counsell
Tony Graffanino

Edge: None--Corey Koskie is still dealing with post concussion syndrome and he continues to experience side effects, including pressure in his head, sensitivity to light, and nausea. The injury has forced the Brewers to leave the competition for the starting third base job wide open. Top prospect, Ryan Braun, is fresh off an Arizona Fall League campaign in which he lead the league in doubles and extra-base hits, finished second in homers and slugging percentage, and third in RBI. He clearly doesn't have much left to prove at the minor league level as his two homer, seven RBI game earlier this week proves, but it seems as though the Brewers favor a veteran platoon of Craig Counsell and Tony Graffanino over pushing a five-tool talent like Braun from Double-A to the majors.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Candidates:
Wilson Betemit
Andy LaRoche

Edge: Wilson Betemit--Despite recent shoulder surgery, top prospect Andy LaRoche is expected to challenge Betemit for the starting third base job this spring. Betemit will have to cut down on his strikeouts—he whiffed 102 times in 373 at bats last year. LaRoche has significant power and an aggressive approach at the plate that profiles into a .285, 30 home run hitter, it's just that he may not get a start on that until Betemit either gets hurt or puts together a lackluster performance.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Candidates:
Jose Castillo
Jose Bautista

Edge: None--Manager Jim Tracy moved reigning batting champ, Freddy Sanchez, to second base and will let Jose Castillo and Jose Bautista battle it out this spring for the starting third base job. There is no real favorite at this point. Fantasy owners who like an icy cold .235-.250 average with 15 homers should be all over this mediocre pair. Stay away from both on draft day.

Philadelphia Phillies

Candidates:
Wes Helms
Abraham Nunez

Edge: Wes Helms--When the Phillies brought in Nunez last offseason, they expected they'd get the player who hit .285 and scored 64 runs for the Cardinals the year before. They didn't, which is why they added Wes Helms this offseason, to motivate Nunez and provide them options. The bottom line is that the Phillies want more right-handed power in the lineup because both Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are lefties. That said, they don't want to necessarily make a sacrifice defensively, and while the switch-hitting Nunez is not as good as Helms with the bat, he has the edge in the field. It seems as though this platoon situation could stretch well into the season, and if it does, it could be difficult for Helms—the more fantasy relevant player—to meet or exceed last years .329 average and 10 homers.
Source: fanball.com