Other Articles in this Series:

• Catcher
• First Base
• Second Base
• Shortstop
• Outfielder #1
• Outfielder #2
• Outfielder #3
• Starting Pitcher
• OVERALL!

by RFF

In the last two seasons, Major League Baseball has seen a surge in talent at third base — deep, diverse, and fantasy-relevant. And now a new wave is coming in 2024.

THIRD BASE CANDIDATES

Tyler Black – Milwaukee Brewers

From “eh” to “Ayyyy” in one year. Black went from a .276/.400/.425 line with 5 HR and 22 SB in 2022 to .284/.417/.465 with 18 HR and an absurd 55 stolen bases across Double- and Triple-A in 2023.

The swing got quieter, the power showed up, and the speed (combined with new rules) went nuclear. The Brewers now have arguably the fastest all-white relay team in baseball history (Mitchell–Black–Wiemer–Frelick). The only real question is where he plays — 3B looks likely, but 1B or even a super-utility role are on the table with Brock Wilken in the system.

Coby Mayo – Baltimore Orioles

.290/.410/.564, 29 HR, 93 BB, 148 K in 614 PA between AA/AAA. That’s a 174-point OBP jump and nearly 200-point OPS jump from 2022. The plate discipline took a massive leap forward.

Peak Projections are still cautious (24 HR, .245/.333/.448), but the raw tools are loud. The bigger issue: playing time. With Gunnar, Westburg, Holliday, and potentially Henderson all in the infield mix, Mayo’s path is murky — though the bat looks ready.

Colt Keith – Detroit Tigers

27 HR, .552 SLG, .932 OPS across AA/AAA. Elite bat-to-ball and plus-plus raw power from both sides of the plate. Keith has never really struggled for an extended stretch — which is both a positive and the one yellow flag when he finally faces MLB arms that can exploit holes.

Many expect him to break camp with Detroit in 2024, especially with Nick Maton (.164 AVG in 2023) currently blocking him.

Junior Caminero – Tampa Bay Rays

From High-A in High-A to batting leadoff in a playoff game in the span of four months. The numbers are silly, the exit velos are silly, the swing is violent and gorgeous.

We’ve been on Caminero since late 2022. The entire StS staff had him top-10 overall entering 2024. The bat is ready for the big leagues right now. The only debate left is how many All-Star appearances he ends up with.

Winner: Junior Caminero

He was the clear #1 third baseman in the minors in 2023 and looks like a future top-10 overall fantasy asset. The rest of the hot-corner class is absurdly deep, but Caminero is the one already knocking on the door — and kicking it down.