Third base is a shallow position these days, and if you weren’t fortunate enough to draft one of the top tier guys at that position you may be wondering who you should start this weekend to help get you that win. I have five third baseman, who are worth starting this weekend some of whom you can likely pick up out of free agency.
Nolan Arenado
While he hasn’t gotten off to a strong start this season, the weekend series for the Rockies is at Coors Field which a great ballpark for any batter. Even better news is that the Diamondbacks are the team coming to town and they have given up the most runs in baseball at 33 in six games which is 5.5 per game.
Arenado came into this season as a breakout candidate, and this series looks like a good way to get him started.
Evan Longoria
This seems like an obvious one because why would you ever sit Longoria. I’d like to emphasize however just how much of a must start Longoria is going to be for fantasy owners this weekend.
In a three game series against a mediocre Phillies offense the Rangers gave up 19 runs. The opening day starter for the Rangers was Tanner Scheppers who doesn’t strike fear into many batters.
The Rays are also avoiding the return of Yu Darvish by one day meaning Longoria gets to bat against the tail end of a weak injury plagued pitching staff. Start Longoria with confidence this weekend.
Todd Frazier
Todd Frazier is off to a torrid start this year. Frazier is batting .455 so far with a pair homeruns and even has a stolen base. Frazier is batting fifth in what is a potent Reds offense which will provide him with plenty of RBI opportunities this weekend against the Mets. The Mets pitchers got pummeled by the Nationals offense this week giving up 22 runs in only three games.
Frazier is also only owned in 50 percent of ESPN leagues, so if he’s available pick him up as Frazier is worth at least a weekend series play.
Xander Bogaerts
Bogaerts is off to a good start this year picking up where he left off in the 2013 post season. Bogaerts is batting fifth in the lineup today and if he can remain in the five hole there should be plenty of RBI opportunities for the young hitter.
Despite the Brewers pitching well to start off the season, their four and five starters leave a lot to be desired. The projected starters are Wily Peralta, Marco Estrada, and Yovani Gallardo. Of these pitchers Estrada had the best ERA last season but it was still a 3.87 while the other two starters finished 2013 with ERA’s above 4.00. I would expect Bogaerts to have a strong weekend hitting the ball so be sure to get him into your lineups if you haven’t already.
Trevor Plouffe
Plouffe is another one of these third basemen off to a great start. Plouffe is batting .462 with five RBI and two runs scored. The Minnesota offense is clicking as a whole right now having scored 19 runs in three games. While Plouffe will have to face Justin Masterson on Sunday he should be more than capable of providing some offense against Carlos Carrasco, and the unproven yet talented Danny Salazar.
Plouffe is currently only owned in 1.7 percent of ESPN leagues so he is more than likely available for you to pick up if you are need of a third baseman this weekend.