Who is Third? Andrew McCutchen or Paul Goldschmidt?

By Adam Rickert on Saturday, February 22nd 2014
Who is Third? Andrew McCutchen or Paul Goldschmidt?

The second overall pick may be the easiest decision ever this year in your fantasy draft, as whoever picks second simply has to choose between Miguel Cabrera or Mike Trout. Pretty much a win-win.

The third pick is also a win-win...the problem is: who will help you win more? Andrew McCutchen or Paul Goldschmidt? There was a heavy debate as to which of the two should have won National League Most Valuable Player last season, and McCutchen took home the honors as his Pittsburgh Pirates advanced to the postseason. Goldschmidt's Arizona Diamondbacks fell short.

While there is no wrong answer to the question, which of the two should you take if you end up drawing the third spot? Here is a quick look at both players.

 

OF Andrew McCutchen

The reigning National League MVP brings everything to the table as one of the league's true five-tool players. He has put together two straight incredible seasons and will be able to help you out in literally every single offensive category. Here are his numbers from those two seasons:

2012: .327 average, 31 home runs, 96 RBI, 20 steals and 107 runs scored
2013: .317 average, 21 home runs, 84 RBI, 27 steals and 97 runs scored

Barring an injury, he should be able to put up numbers very similar to those from the past two years. He is the heart of a young and improving Pirates team and will likely be the team's third hitter. This means that he will hit two spots behind the speedy Starling Marte and in front of slugger Pedro Alvarez and a healthy Neil Walker.

McCutchen will have a ton of opportunites to both drive in runs and score them, making him one of the best all-around players to own in fantasy baseball.

 

1B Paul Goldschmidt

Goldschmidt exploded in only his second full big league season in 2013. He led the National League in both home runs (36) and runs batted in (135) while hitting a cool .302 clip.

But power hitters can't steal bases, right? Wrong.

Goldschmidt swiped fifteen bags in 2013 and eighteen in 2012. He also scored 103 runs last year despite playing on a team with a weaker lineup than most 100-plus run scorers.

Goldschmidt's numbers may be helped even more this season with Arizona's addition of Mark Trumbo. Trumbo could hit 40-50 home runs this year with Chase Field as his home ballpark, and he will provide some excellent protection if manager Kirk Gibson decides to slot him in right behind Goldschmidt.

His numbers could come down slightly from last year's due to the fact that they can't get much better, but Goldschmidt has certainly established himself as one of the top power hitters in baseball.

 

So who is the better choice? Again, this is a win-win situation and neither would be a bad choice, but Goldschmidt has a slight edge.

While McCutchen may give you some more help in the batting average category, Goldschmidt's superior advantage when it comes to power sets him apart.

McCutchen will also get more steals, but Goldschmidt's surprising speed for a first baseman creates a combination of power and speed that is rarely seen in baseball.

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Scores

Orioles
6
Tigers
5
Astros
0
Mets
5
Cardinals
9
Astros
4
Red Sox
7
Rays
5
Pirates
6
Twins
4
Phillies
7
Nationals
3
Yankees
7
Braves
3
Blue Jays
7
Marlins
8
Reds
11
Padres
10
Giants
3
Rockies
11
Athletics
7
Rangers
3
Dodgers
7
White Sox
6
Rangers
1
Brewers
5
Angels
5
Cubs
4
Diamondbacks
13
Royals
10
Mariners
8
Guardians
7
Orioles
4
Rays
3
Tigers
4
Blue Jays
4
Twins
3
Red Sox
5
Phillies
5
Tigers
3
Braves
3
Pirates
1
Mets
0
Cardinals
6
Marlins
1
Astros
4
Cubs
7
Rockies
14
Royals
8
Mariners
8
Guardians
4
Rangers
11
White Sox
2
Reds
3
Diamondbacks
7
Dodgers
10
Padres
7
Angels
3
Brewers
13
Giants
12
Yankees
7
Nationals
0
1:05 PM ET
Twins
-
Yankees
-
1:05 PM ET
Pirates
-
Orioles
-
1:05 PM ET
Cardinals
-
Mets
-
1:05 PM ET
Rays
-
Blue Jays
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1:05 PM ET
Tigers
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Phillies
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1:05 PM ET
Braves
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Red Sox
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1:05 PM ET
Phillies
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Marlins
-
3:05 PM ET
Reds
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Angels
-
3:05 PM ET
Cubs
-
Guardians
-
3:05 PM ET
Royals
-
Athletics
-
3:05 PM ET
Giants
-
Dodgers
-
3:05 PM ET
White Sox
-
Rangers
-
3:10 PM ET
Rockies
-
Padres
-
3:10 PM ET
Brewers
-
White Sox
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6:05 PM ET
Nationals
-
Astros
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8:10 PM ET
Mariners
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Diamondbacks
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