2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Prep Third Base Tiers 2.0: Tiered rankings for the position of greatest urgency
CBS Sports
by
Scott White
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Third base is shaping up to be a critical position in the 2026 fantasy baseball draft due to its steep drop-off in talent after the top-tier options are selected. The article highlights how third base could become the most anxiety-inducing position on Draft Day, with limited high-impact players and a rapid decline in value as picks get taken off the board. By organizing players into tiers, fantasy enthusiasts can better assess where to allocate their draft capital and make informed decisions in real time.
The first tier features Jose Ramirez as the top choice, known for his consistency and elite production. The next group includes Junior Caminero and Jazz Chisholm, who bring a mix of power and speed but come with injury concerns or inconsistency. Following them are players like Manny Machado, Austin Riley, and Eugenio Suarez, who offer solid value but may require careful consideration due to their own specific risks. Alex Bregman and Max Muncy round out the next tier, offering potential upside but at a slightly lower level.
The fallback options include Matt Chapman, Kazuma Okamoto, and Isaac Paredes, who provide decent power but lack the same offensive upside as earlier tiers. Noelvi Marte, Royce Lewis, and Alec Bohm represent the "last resorts," with limited track records and significant question marks about their long-term viability. Even some of the higher-tier players aren't entirely without worry, underscoring the importance of careful evaluation and quick decision-making during the draft.
This breakdown is crucial for fantasy baseball players because it reveals just how competitive and uncertain the third baseman landscape is. The article emphasizes that third base could be
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/25/2026