Top 5 Keeper Third Basemen - 2009 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide

Third base is a position that has a few super stud hitters and then a large drop off. If you aren't fortunate enough to have one of the top players, you can get stuck with a liability to your fantasy team. There are some budding young third basemen that are perfect for keeper leagues. Here is a list of five youngsters to keep a close eye on.

1. David Wright- Wright is near the top end of the range for a young keeper, but he is still just 26 years of age and has plenty of great seasons in front of him. Wright has been a picture of consistency, but don't be surprised if in the next two or three years he takes it up to an even higher level. Wright has power, a little speed, and a great batting average.

2009 Projected Stats- .312 Average 32 Home Runs 125 Runs Batted In

2. Miguel Cabrera- Cabrera will be playing first base most if not all the time this coming year, but he should still be eligible for third base in fantasy drafts for now. Cabrera is just 25 and is coming off a bit of a down year where hit just .292, but he surged toward the end of the year. Expect Miguel Cabrera to have some much better seasons in the near future.

2009 Projected Stats- .307 average 37 home runs 123 Runs Batted In

3. Chris Davis- This is another case of a player who will be eligible at both first and third base. Davis showed tremendous potential hitting 17 home runs in just 80 games last season and he will get many more at bats this season for the Rangers. Chris Davis is very good at 22, just wait until he develops and matures, he'll be scary good.

2009 Projected Stats- .275 average 24 home runs 71 Runs Batted In

4. Ryan Zimmerman- Zimmerman has had some issues with injuries and it seems like he has been around for awhile, but he is just 24 years of age. Zimmerman has pop in the bat and he should be able to increase his walks over time as he gets a better command of the zone.

2009 Projected Stats- .284 average 25 home runs 97 runs batted in

5. Alex Gordon- Gordon's start in Kansas City has been a pretty rough ride, but he is still very young and still has plenty of time to fulfill his potential. Those who are calling him a bust may be quite premature. Gordon made minor improvements last year over his rookie campaign and I look for bigger things for him in the future.

2009 Projected Stats- .271 average 19 home runs 70 runs batted in