For a more in-depth analysis of the third basemen and starting lineups, check out "On Deck," FIC's weekly hitting column...
Auction
2002
THIRD BASEMEN
$$
FIC Rank
1
.
Albert Pujols - StL
31
1
2
.
Troy Glaus - Ana
25
3
3
.
Scott Rolen - StL
22
5
4
.
Eric Chavez - Oak
20
4
5
.
Phil Nevin - SD
19
23
6
.
Eric Hinske - Tor
18
6
7
.
Aaron Boone - Cin
15
2
8
.
Mike Lowell - Fla
15
7
9
.
Edgardo Alfonzo - SF
14
15
10
.
Adrian Beltre - LA
12
12
11
.
Mark Bellhorn - ChC
11
11
12
.
Aramis Ramirez - Pit
11
24
13
.
Corey Koskie - Min
10
16
14
.
Jose Valentin - CWS
9
17
15
.
Joe Crede - CWS
9
35
16
.
Tony Batista - Bal
8
8
17
.
Shea Hillenbrand - Bos
7
9
18
.
Robin Ventura - NYY
6
10
19
.
David Bell - Phi
6
18
20
.
Jared Sandberg - TB
6
28
21
.
Brandon Larson - Cin
6
NR
22
.
Joe Randa - KC
5
20
23
.
Desi Relaford - KC
5
29
24
.
Jeff Cirillo - Sea
4
30
25
.
Fernando Tatis - Mon
4
31
26
.
Craig Counsell - Ari
3
26
27
.
Matt Williams - Ari
3
33
28
.
Sean Burroughs - SD
3
38
29
.
Hank Blalock - Tex
3
40
30
.
Herbert Perry - Tex
2
13
31
.
Todd Zeile - NYY
2
19
32
.
Morgan Ensberg - Hou
2
39
33
.
Mark Teixeira - Tex
2
NR
34
.
Ty Wigginton - NYM
1
NR
35
.
Vinny Castilla - Atl
1
27
36
.
Tyler Houston - Phi
1
34
37
.
Felipe Lopez - Cin
1
36
38
.
Dean Palmer - Det
1
NR
39
.
Greg Norton - Col
1
NR
40
.
Russ Branyan - Cin
1
25
41
.
Geoff Blum - Hou
1
NR
42
.
Bill Mueller - Bos
1
NR
RISING
Joe Crede (CWS): hit .285-12-35 after August call-up; should hit 30 homers
Phil Nevin (SD): Elbow injury and broken shoulder destroyed his 2002; will hit 30-40 homers
Edgardo Alfonzo (SF): Finally looked healthy in 2nd half (.314-12-31); pencilled in to hit behind Bonds!!!
Aramis Ramirez (Pit): Hobbled by bad ankle most of 2002; lost 30 pounds over the winter - look for 30+ homers
Adrian Beltre (LA): .281-14-46 in second half; has 30-30 potential
FALLING
Todd Zeile (NYY): Hit .233/.291/.353 away from Coors; avoid like the plague
Robin Ventura (NYY): Hit just .227/.371/.389 in second half; shoulder problems always an issue
Aaron Boone (Cin): Can he match 26 homers and 32 steals? Almost no chance
Vinny Castilla (Atl): He shouldn't be starting anywhere! In 2nd half hit .212/.258/.292
UP AND COMING
Hank Blalock (Tex): Only 22, hit .307-8-62 at AAA; it's his job to lose once again
Sean Burroughs (SD): Injured shoulder sunk him from the start; lack of power and speed = little fantasy value
Morgan Ensberg (Hou): At 27, time is running out for this prospect; shows good plate discipline and 20 homer potential in minors
Jared Sandberg (TB): 30 homer potential but needs serious help with pitch selection; struck out 139 times in 358 at-bats
ROOKIES
Brandon Larson (Cin): at AAA, .340, 47R, 25HR, 69RBI, 24BB, 70SO
Ty Wigginton (NYM): at AAA, .300, 49R, 6HR, 48RBI, 43BB, 50SO
Mark Teixeira (Tex): Will likely begin at Triple-A, but is rated top hitting prospect in baseball; at AA, .316-10-27 in 48 games
Look for weekly ranking updates every Wednesday throughout the season!
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