It's that time of year. Players are reporting to Spring Training, and fantasy baseball owners are starting mock drafts in preparation for the real deal.
I am going to take a look at a few third basemen who can be draft day gems. Being one of the stronger positions on the diamond, it may not even be necessary to draft a third baseman in the later rounds.
I'll say this. It is never ever a bad thing to take a chance on somebody that has a chance to break out and be a steal. It is also never a bad thing to have a legitimate back-up in case your top guy goes down with an injury.
Especially if that top guy has a history of injuries throughout his career. Let's take a look at some of the late round gems.
Chris Johnson, Atlanta Braves
Chris Johnson was a throw-in in the Justin Upton trade. Despite that, he arguably had a better season than Upton last year. In Atlanta's first season without Chipper Jones, they didn't lack his bat, as Johnson made it seem as if he was still around. Johnson put up 12 Home Run's, along with 68 RBI, and a .321 Average. Not bad for a guy who spent a vast majority of his season at the bottom of the order.
Don't consider last season a fluke though. In 2012, Johnson hit .281 with 15 Home Run's and 76 RBI. Once a top prospect for the Astros, Johnson found himself in a good situation for the first time in his career last season. In the midst of his prime and being mocked in rounds 20 to 21, Johnson is a very good late round pick and has the capability to start.
David Freese, Los Angeles Angels
Freese intrigues me the most. Heading into his first season with the Angels, a change of scenery may be what Freese needed.
The even more intriguing factor is that he'll be reunited with Albert Pujols. Injuries forced Freese out of the lineup for a portion of 2013, but he claims to be healthy heading into Spring Training.
Anyone who is in a lineup with Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and Josh Hamilton is in a good situation. Figuring the Angels slot Freese into the five hole behind Hamilton, RBI's will be coming in bunches.
Freese was being drafted around the eighth and ninth rounds last year. He can now be had in rounds 20 to 21, just like Chris Johnson.
Matt Dominguez, Houston Astros
Let's start off with a mystery player comparison. I will reveal the players at the end.
Player A in 2013: 613 AB's, .260 AVG, 79 Runs, 22 HR's, 69 RBI, 9 SB
Player B in 2013: 543 AB's, .241 AVG, 56 Runs, 21 HR's, 77 RBI, 0 SB
Player C in 2013: 525 AB's, .278 AVG, 52 Runs, 15 HR's, 79 RBI, 0 SB
Good news, Dominguez may not even have to be drafted. Bad news, it's because of the lineup he's in. Dominguez had a really underappreciated season in 2013. This year, Dominguez was significantly better after the all star break last year. He tallied half his home run's, hit nearly 40 points higher in average, and scored four less runs in 73 less at-bats than he had prior to the break.
Fortunately, Dominguez will have Dexter Fowler and Jonathan Villar in the lineup this year, along with of course, Jose Altuve and Jason Castro. If George Springer has a good spring, he may join Dominguez as well. With more tools around Dominguez, he has a chance to succeed even more this year. He is the ultimate buy low.
So, who were the mystery players? To recap, here are their stats.
Player A in 2013: 613 AB's, .260 AVG, 79 Runs, 22 HR's, 69 RBI, 9 SB
Player B in 2013: 543 AB's, .241 AVG, 56 Runs, 21 HR's, 77 RBI, 0 SB
Player C in 2013: 525 AB's, .278 AVG, 52 Runs, 15 HR's, 79 RBI, 0 SB
Player A is Kyle Seager who can be drafted in rounds 10-12
Player B is Matt Dominguez who is going undrafted. A last round pick would be beneficial
Player C is Pablo Sandoval who can be drafted in rounds 7-9
To wrap up, Dominguez who although had a poor average, put up numbers that matched the others. Value is a huge factor come draft day and Dominguez's value on paper here, isn't too much less (if less at all) than Sandoval or Seager. And as I mentioned, Dominguez has better players around him this year.