Uncover the Hidden Gems at Third Base for Dynasty Fantasy Baseball
Jordan Westburg, Baltimore Orioles
This offseason, Jordan Westburg emerged as one of my top dynasty buys. Unfortunately, a fractured right hand derailed his breakout season. But here's the silver lining – it presented a buying opportunity in dynasty leagues. In just 447 plate appearances, he amassed an impressive stat line of 57 runs, 18 home runs, 63 RBI, and six steals, along with a 264/.312/.481 slash line. That translates to a 650 plate appearance pace of 83 runs, 26 home runs, 92 RBI, and nine steals. Not only does he possess a 91st percentile sprint speed, but he also recorded an 11.8% barrel rate, 91.1 mph AVG EV, and a 46.1% hard-hit rate, all ranking in the top 24% of hitters. His xBA, xSLG, and xwOBA were in the top 12%. While his zone and overall contact rates were below average and his walk rate was only 4.9% in 2024, he still has the potential to hit 30 home runs and add double-digit steals. If he can maintain his dual 2B/3B eligibility, he could settle in as a Tier 2 option at third base. This is a Top-50 caliber player that you can acquire at a bargain price in trades right now.
Wild, Wild, Walk-Off! Just look at this incredible moment from April 2, 2024. It showcases Westburg's explosive abilities on the field. His performance gives us hope for the future and makes him a player to watch closely.
Josh Jung, Texas Rangers
I'm starting to have my doubts about Josh Jung. While there's still long-term value here, I'm questioning whether he'll reach the Top-100 and Top-10 third baseman status that many expected. A fractured right wrist limited him to 188 plate appearances in 2024, where he slashed.264/.298/.421 with seven home runs and four steals. His quality of contact metrics took a hit, with his barrel rate dropping by 2%, his hard-hit rate decreasing by 7.7%, and his AVG EV dropping by 5.2 mph. Although I'm not overly concerned about his power, it's his contact skills and aggressive approach that make me hesitant in dynasty leagues. Jung walked at a lowly 4.3% clip and saw his zone and overall contact rates slip to 76.6% and 68.1%, respectively. His first pitch swing rate rose to a career-high 43.6%, which is 13.7% above the MLB average. Could he settle in as a mid-level corner infielder option? Perhaps. But it will take significant improvements in several areas for him to reach the Top 100 overall status. I'm not giving up on him completely, but I'm fading him for now and would rather target other third basemen like Jake Burger, Mark Vientos, Matt Chapman, or Westburg.
Noelvi Marte, Cincinnati Reds
If you were a believer in Noelvi Marte like me last season, we might need some support. His 2024 season was a complete disaster, and it's hard to find any hope or optimism moving forward. He was suspended for the first half of the season and was one of the worst hitters in baseball in the second half. We can chalk it up to a lost season and hope it never happens again. But here's the thing – there's still upside, cost, and opportunity. Remember how hyped we were about him before the suspension? In his 123 plate appearance debut for the Reds in 2023, he showed great potential with a 91.3 mph AVG EV, 46.1% hard-hit rate, and a 91st percentile sprint speed while slashing.316/.366/.456. The opportunity for him to start regularly in 2025 is still there, and the cost might never be lower. That's why I'm looking to acquire him whenever possible as a low-cost investment with high potential returns.
Isaac Paredes, Houston Astros
If you've followed my work for a while, you know that I've always been more cautious about Isaac Paredes due to his flawed profile. His pull-happy tendencies worked in Tampa Bay, but moving to the Cubs was a different story as Wrigley Field is longer down the line. As expected, his production took a nosedive, slashing.223/.325/.307 with only three home runs in 52 games. But thanks to another trade, he's back in a ballpark that suits his profile. In Houston, the Crawford Boxes are only 315 feet down the line, and you can see how some of his doubles and outs would've been homers. I'm not expecting him to return to 2023 levels, but his value is trending back up. Even with below-average quality of contact metrics (85 mph AVG EV, 27.1% HH), he could flirt with or exceed 20 home runs in 2025. And with his 90% zone and 82.8% overall contact rate, an increase in the AVG department isn't out of the question.
Matt Shaw, Chicago Cubs
With Isaac Paredes now a member of the Houston Astros, the stage is set for the arrival of top prospect Matt Shaw. After a slow start to the season, Shaw picked up the pace in a big way over the final four and a half months, slashing.306/.384/.525 with 18 home runs and 24 steals from May 10 through the end of the season. There were even rumors of him debuting late last season, but that didn't happen. Shaw doesn't have a standout profile, but he brings above-average power and speed to the table along with a solid blend of contact and approach. He should have no trouble pushing or exceeding 20 home runs and 20 steals on an annual basis, and he could even be a front-runner for National League Rookie of the Year as early as this season. He's one of my favorite rookies for 2025 and a Top-10 overall prospect for fantasy.
Deyvison De Los Santos, Miami Marlins
After hitting a minor league-leading 40 home runs in 2024, Deyvison De Los Santos is generating a lot of hype as he's on the verge of making his Major League debut with the Miami Marlins. But let's not get carried away. Yes, he has raw power, and I've seen it firsthand in the Arizona Fall League. However, his contact skills and approach leave a lot to be desired. Before we even consider his contact rates, we need to take into account where he played in 2024. His first 87 games were in Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno, which are extremely hitter-friendly parks. After the trade to Jacksonville, which is less hitter-friendly, his slash line dropped significantly. His contact rate was a concerning 64%, and he only walked 5.8% of the time. Being an aggressive hitter isn't necessarily a bad thing, but when combined with his low contact rate, it leads to more peaks and valleys in his performance. I'd recommend selling high in dynasty leagues if you have him on your roster.