2012 Fantasy Baseball: Third Base (3B) Sleepers

2012 Fantasy Baseball Third Base (3B) Sleepers are based on a standard single season redraft mixed AL/NL fantasy baseball league for the 2012 season. Scoring settings include: runs scored, home runs, RBI, stolen bases, and batting average - (R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG). ( ) = players age

Third Base (3B) Sleepers are based on players who have the potential to make a significant statistical impact during the 2012 season, and are typically ranked and drafted lower in fantasy baseball leagues than what their potential stats warrant for the 2012 season.

2012 Sleepers: C -- 1B -- 2B -- 3B -- SS -- OF -- SP -- RP -- Printable Cheat Sheet

2012 Deep Sleepers: C -- 1B -- 2B -- 3B -- SS -- OF -- SP -- RP

2012 Third Base (3B) Sleepers

Mike Moustakas - KC - 3B (23)

Considered one of the top power hitting minor league prospects entering the 2011 season, Moustakas earned his major league call-up in early June last season and immediately took over as the Royals everyday starting third baseman. After struggling initially at the plate to begin his major league career, Moustakas improved significantly as the season went on and he gained more experience. As the Royals cornerstone at 3B, Moustakas should take over as one of the Royals top power hitting run producers during the 2012 season, as he will likely bat 5th or 6th in the everyday lineup.

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 223 AB, 38 R, 10 HR, 44 RBI, 1 SB, .287 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 338 AB, 26 R, 5 HR, 30 RBI, 2 SB, .263 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 70 R, 25 HR, 80 RBI, 5 SB, .275 AVG

David Freese - StL - 3B (28)

Even though injuries have derailed much of Freese's major league career thus far, he exploded late in the season last year while putting on an MVP performance in the postseason and carrying the Cardinals to the championship title. Having only been able to play in 70 games and 97 games over the last two seasons in the majors because of injuries, Freese will seemingly always be an injury risk until he proves otherwise. However with the Cardinals in need of a power hitting run producer to replace Albert Pujols in the lineup, Freese should be given every opportunity to take over as a key run producer in St. Louis in 2012.

2011 Major League Stats: 333 AB, 41 R, 10 HR, 55 RBI, 1 SB, .297 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 80 R, 20 HR, 90 RBI, 0 SB, .295 AVG

Lonnie Chisenhall - Cle - 3B (23)

After beginning the 2011 in the minors, Chisenhall received his major league debut call-up in late June of last season. Deemed the starting third baseman of the future in Cleveland, Chisenhall took a few baby steps into that direction over the second half of the 2011 season. With the starting 3B job his for the taking to begin the 2012 season, Chisenhall offers solid power hitting ability to become a 20 home run threat in the Indians lineup in 2012.

2011 Minor League Triple A Stats: 255 AB, 45 R, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 0 SB, .267 AVG

2011 Major League Stats: 212 AB, 27 R, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 1 SB, .255 AVG

2012 Stat Projections: 65 R, 18 HR, 70 RBI, 2 SB, .260 AVG

Others to Keep an Eye on

Danny Valencia - Min - 3B (27)

Ian Stewart - ChC - 3B

Chris Davis - Bal - 3B/1B (26)

Pedro Alvarez - Pit - 3B (25)

Juan Francisco - Cin - 3B

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