Third base used to be one of the easiest positions to fill in fantasy baseball. In 2026, it’s anything but. After the elite names come off the board, the position thins out quickly, leaving drafters choosing between flawed profiles, uncertain roles, or aging veterans. That’s exactly why identifying true sleepers and values at the hot corner matters more than ever.
On the recent Fantasy Pros MLB podcast, Joey P, Joe Rico, and the Welsh broke down the third base pool and landed on several players who stand out as undervalued draft targets. These aren’t just deep-league fliers. They’re players who can meaningfully outperform their ADP and stabilize a position that can quietly sink a roster.
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Fantasy Baseball Draft Values: Third Base
Here’s how to attack third base fantasy baseball draft value in 2026.
Maikel Garcia (3B – KC): Category Juice at a Discount
If you’re looking for a player who quietly fixes roster problems, Garcia is your guy. He doesn’t jump off the page like some of the power-first options, but his skill set fits modern fantasy baseball perfectly.
Garcia is coming off a season with double-digit home runs, 20-plus stolen bases, and a strong batting average. More importantly, his underlying profile supports the production. He doesn’t strike out much, he makes consistent contact, and his batted-ball data has trended in the right direction for multiple seasons.
At a position where speed is rare, Garcia gives you stolen bases without punting power entirely. That combination makes him especially valuable in builds that load up on power early. Compared to similarly ranked names, Garcia offers a higher floor and more flexibility in roster construction, often at a cheaper cost.
Eugenio Suarez (3B – CIN): Bankable Power Where It Counts
Sometimes value is less about mystery and more about context. Suárez returning to Cincinnati is a massive win for his fantasy outlook. Great American Ball Park remains one of the most homer-friendly stadiums in baseball, and Suárez’s pull-heavy power plays perfectly there.
Yes, the batting average risk is real. It always has been. But when you’re drafting in the middle rounds, chasing 35 to 40 home runs from third base is a winning bet. Suárez should also find himself hitting in a run-producing spot, giving him a realistic path to triple-digit RBI.
If you miss on early third basemen, Suárez is one of the best ways to buy back elite-category upside without paying elite prices.
Matt Chapman (3B – SF): The “Boring” Value That Wins Leagues
Chapman doesn’t excite draft rooms anymore, which is exactly why he keeps showing up on winning teams. He’s still giving you 20-plus home runs, improving plate discipline, and a playable batting average. He’s also chipped in steals recently, something that often gets overlooked.
The appeal here is reliability. Chapman isn’t going to carry your offense, but he won’t crater it either. At a position filled with volatility, having a steady option who falls outside the top 100 picks is a luxury.
He also fits beautifully as a corner infielder, allowing you to be aggressive elsewhere while locking in safe production at third base.
Addison Barger (3B – TOR): The Power Breakout People Are Late On
Barger is one of the clearest ADP inefficiencies at the position. Despite showing legitimate power and strong quality-of-contact metrics, he’s still being drafted far later than his production suggests.
He brings 25- to 30-homer upside, multi-position eligibility, and a likely top-of-the-order role in Toronto. His barrel rate and hard-hit numbers support the idea that last season’s power wasn’t a fluke.
If you’re waiting on third base and want upside instead of damage control, Barger is one of the best bets to beat his draft slot by a wide margin.
Brooks Lee (3B – MIN): Quiet Growth, Real Upside
Lee won’t show up on many sleeper lists, but the trend lines matter. His power output has steadily increased, his contact skills are strong, and he’s beginning to lift the ball more consistently. Those are the ingredients that often precede a breakout.
He’s not a must-start in shallow leagues yet, but in deeper formats, Lee offers a combination of floor and growth potential that’s rare this late in drafts. If the Twins’ lineup shakes out favorably, Lee could easily push past 20 home runs while maintaining a tolerable batting average.
Max Muncy (3B – LAD): The Ultimate Late-Round Value
Muncy is the kind of value that feels uncomfortable until it wins you a league. After addressing long-standing vision issues, his offensive profile rebounded in a big way. The power returned, the plate discipline sharpened, and the production followed.
Now factor in lineup context. Hitting in the middle of the Dodgers’ order gives Muncy as much RBI upside as anyone on this list, and he’s being drafted near the end of leagues. At third base, that’s almost unheard of.
Even if it doesn’t fully click, the cost is negligible. If it does, you’re getting top-10 production for free.
Fantasy Baseball Takeaways
- Third base dries up fast, so value hunting is essential.
- Maikel Garcia offers rare speed and batting average at the position.
- Eugenio Suárez is the best mid-round power target.
- Matt Chapman provides undervalued stability and flexibility.
- Addison Barger is a prime breakout candidate going too late.
- Brooks Lee is a deeper sleeper with real growth indicators.
- Max Muncy is one of the best late-round values in all of fantasy baseball.
- You don’t need to reach early if you identify the right targets.
- Avoid players without clear playing time.
At third base in 2026, value wins drafts.
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