Top 50 Dynasty Third Base Rankings for 2024 Fantasy Baseball

Fantasy managers are faced with some difficult decisions when it comes to third base dynasty rankings, but there’s no shortage of talent, even as we enter some of the lower-tier groups which are populated by reliable veterans and emerging prospects. The turnover at the top of the position includes a takeover by a trio of dual-eligible burgeoning stars Gunnar Henderson, Elly De La Cruz and Junior Caminero. It’s unclear how long they’ll maintain third-base eligibility, but for the moment, they’re top-20 overall talents heading into the 2024 campaign, thanks to their combination of immense talent and youth. Meanwhile, it’s the trio of proven veterans in Austin Riley, José Ramírez and Rafael Devers rounding out the upper-echelon options at the hot corner.

There’s no shortage of intrigue with some of the up-and-coming options in these third base rankings as a pair of top prospects – Coby Mayo and Noelvi Marte – figure to ascend to the majors for good at some point during the 2024 campaign. If you’re searching for buy-low opportunities there are several former top prospects to consider rolling the dice on including Brett Baty, Curtis Mead and Jordan Westburg. We haven’t even gotten to some of the interesting prospects that could force their way to the big leagues sooner than later in Tyler Black, Brady House, Brock Wilken, Zach Dezenzo, Justyn-Henry Malloy and Graham Pauley. There’s a lot to dig into at the hot corner, so let’s dive right in.

Dynasty Third Base Tiers

Tier 1

(1) Gunnar Henderson, Orioles, Age: 22, Overall Rank: 14

(2) Elly De La Cruz, Reds, Age: 22, Overall Rank: 15

(3) Junior Caminero, Rays, Age: 20, Overall Rank: 17

(4) Austin Riley, Braves, Age: 27, Overall Rank: 27

(5) José Ramírez, Guardians, Age: 31, Overall Rank: 25

(6) Rafael Devers, Red Sox, Age: 27, Overall Rank: 29

Henderson represents a temporary changing of the guard at the hot corner, usurping a trio of reliable veteran stalwarts in Ramírez, Riley, and Devers to claim the top spot in these dynasty rankings. The 22-year-old burgeoning fantasy superstar clobbered 28 round-trippers and also chipped in 10 steals last year in his full-season debut and looks like a perennial 30-homer, double-digit steals source for the next decade. If there’s a nit to pick it’s that he’s not exactly a batting average standout as he’s going to strike out nearly a quarter of the time moving forward, but he’s not a liability either in that department. He figures to play shortstop a majority of the time with former first overall selection Jackson Holliday occupying second base and is unlikely to retain third-base eligibility long-term once slugger Coby Mayo ascends to the big leagues for good.

No player possesses a wider range of potential long-term outcomes than De La Cruz, who enters the 2024 campaign as the ultimate risk/reward proposition in the fantasy landscape. Sadly, we don’t have much to add to the ongoing discourse except to note that the justifiable concerns about his lofty strikeout totals threaten to undermine his tantalizing power/speed combination. It’s possible his plate skills begin to trend in the right direction and he morphs into one of the most impactful fantasy contributors in the game, but even if he stalls out with a near-30 percent strikeout rate, his electrifying power/speed combo insulates against the risk of a total collapse in fantasy appeal. There’s enough risk to justify dropping him closer to 50th in the Fantrax Top 500 dynasty rankings, but the slight chance that he reaches his stratospheric potential is enough to justify a top-15 overall ranking. It’s too early to bail completely on a 22-year-old top prospect after fewer than 500 plate appearances in the big leagues, but he certainly has room for improvement.

After sipping a cup of coffee last year with the Rays at the conclusion of the regular season, Caminero appears likely to open the 2024 campaign back at Triple-A Durham for some extra seasoning. The precocious 20-year-old slugger possesses game-changing raw power – becoming one of just a handful of prospects in recent memory to receive an 80 grade in the power department from Baseball America – which resulted in a staggering 31 round-trippers in 510 plate appearances last season between High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery. He went on to tear the cover off the ball in the Dominican Winter League this offseason, posting a .936 OPS with five homers and two steals in 21 games. It’s a bit unclear where his long-term defensive home is at this juncture, but he figures to play enough at shortstop and third base to retain eligibility for at least a few years moving forward. He’s neck-and-neck with Rangers standout Wyatt Langford for the top spot of any prospect in Fantrax’s Top 500 Dynasty Rankings at the outset of the 2024 campaign and is a borderline first-round selection in all dynasty leagues this spring.

Riley, Ramírez, and Devers have obviously settled in as dependable upper-echelon fantasy contributors worthy of being selected in the first couple rounds of all dynasty leagues until further notice. There will be fluctuations in offensive production for each over the next half-decade as they enter different phases of their careers, but they’re about as reliable as it gets in the fantasy landscape these days. There’s an argument for pushing all three even higher in the Fantrax Top 500 overall rankings for fantasy managers taking a short-term approach that eschews unproven prospects like Langford, Caminero, Holliday and Chourio in the opening two rounds of drafts this spring.

Tier 2

(7) Royce Lewis, Twins, Age: 24, Overall Rank: 39

(8) Manny Machado, Padres, Age: 31, Overall Rank: 54

(9) Noelvi Marte, Reds, Age: 22, Overall Rank: 68

(10) Coby Mayo, Orioles, Age: 22, Overall Rank: 76

(11) Josh Jung, Rangers, Age: 26, Overall Rank: 83

(12) Alex Bregman, Astros, Age: 30, Overall Rank: 90

Lewis announced his return to fantasy relevance with authority last year after making it back to Minnesota following an unfortunate series of knee surgeries, clobbering 15 homers and also adding six steals in just 239 plate appearances. He also played a starring role in the Twins’ postseason run, mashing four additional round-trippers in six playoff contests. Assuming his persistent knee issues are in the past, the 24-year-old has a chance to solidify his status for good this season as an upper-echelon five-category impact fantasy contributor at the hot corner. It’s difficult to overlook his lengthy injury history, but he’s produced at an elite level when he’s been on the field.

The biggest question mark with Machado is whether he’ll revert to form after undergoing offseason elbow surgery, but his consistent track record – piling up at least 28 homers in eight consecutive seasons dating back to 2015 – is reason enough to bank on his finishing as a top-10 option at the hot corner for dynasty managers as he enters his early 30’s. The Padres weakened his supporting cast by shipping Juan Soto to New York during the offseason, but there’s still enough talent there to continue buoying his counting stats for at least a few more years.

It’s within the realm of possibility that we’re not high enough on Marte entering 2024. The 22-year-old got his first taste of the majors last year, getting into 35 late-season contests for Cincinnati after batting .279/.358/.454 with 11 homers and 18 steals in 399 plate appearances across three minor league levels. It’s a bit unclear how he fits into the Reds’ crowded infield picture at the outset of the 2024 campaign with Jeimer Candelario, Spencer Steer and Jonathan India joining former top prospects Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand in the mix for at-bats. It’s possible Marte, who is off to a delayed start this spring recovering from an offseason hamstring injury, opens the year at Triple-A Louisville, but it won’t be long before he’s a five-category impact fantasy contributor.

The central question for dynasty managers is when Mayo will get his highly-anticipated opportunity in Baltimore. According to Baseball America, the 22-year-old rising slugger posted a 91.8 mph average exit velocity last year, which ranked ninth out of every hitter in the publication’s 2024 Top 100 prospect list, along with a robust .290/.410/.564 triple-slash line with 29 homers and five steals in 614 plate appearances last season between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. The combination of consistent hard contact and strong plate skills makes it easy to project him as an immediate four-category impact contributor. The lack of stolen base upside puts a lid on his fantasy ceiling, but he’s a strong bet to make an impact in the heart of the Orioles new-look lineup. The hot corner is his most immediate path to at-bats in the big leagues this season, but he’ll need to take the job away from fellow prospect Jordan Westburg and veteran Ramón Urías. A strong spring training or early-season performance at Triple-A Norfolk could force Baltimore’s hand.

Jung, who is dealing with a relatively minor left calf strain at the outset of spring training, checked every box last year as a set-and-forget four-category stand out during an impressive 23-homer rookie campaign. It’s not inconceivable that the 26-year-old slugger is a perennial 30-homer lock for the next half-decade or more. He’s not exactly a windmill at the plate, but a near-30 percent strikeout rate limits his batting average upside and he’s unlikely to chip in more than a handful of steals each year. Unless the over-the-fence pop increases significantly, he’s pretty much at his realistic borderline elite fantasy ceiling already.

Bregman’s batting average has dipped from previously elite levels earlier in his career, but he’s settled in nicely as one of the more consistent, high-volume four-category fantasy producers at the hot corner. He’s a virtual lock to reach 25 homers at this point and should be boosted even higher in these dynasty third base rankings in leagues that utilize on-base percentage over traditional batting average formats. He’s slated to reach free agency next offseason, but he should remain a fringe top-10 dynasty option, regardless of where he ultimately winds up.

Tier 3

(13) Ha-Seong Kim, Padres, Age: 28, Overall Rank: 109

(14) Colt Keith, Tigers, Age: 22, Overall Rank: 115

(15) Spencer Steer, Reds, Age: 26, Overall Rank: 133

(16) Nolan Arenado, Cardinals, Age: 32, Overall Rank: 140

(17) Isaac Paredes, Rays, Age: 25, Overall Rank: 141

Kim, Keith, Steer and Paredes have been covered extensively earlier in this series during the first base and second base rankings installments, but they’ll likely wind up retaining third-base eligibility for at least a couple more years, which puts them in this general range of the hot corner dynasty rankings. Arenado’s star has faded some in the last few years as he inches closer to his mid-30’s, but it’s fair to wonder how much of last year’s back issues contributed to his overall offensive decline. He showed up healthy to spring training and appears motivated to return to his previously elite level. It’s difficult to ignore his lengthy track record, which keeps him in the conversation for a top-150 overall pick in dynasty leagues.

Tier 4

(18) Jake Burger, Marlins, Age: 27, Overall Rank: 175

(19) Curtis Mead, Rays, Age: 23, Overall Rank: 179

(20) Thairo Estrada, Giants, Age: , Overall Rank: 189

(21) Michael Busch, Cubs, Age: , Overall Rank: 191

(22) Max Muncy, Dodgers, Age: 33, Overall Rank: 195

(23) Alec Bohm, Phillies, Age: Overall Rank: 208

After emerging as one of the best hit tool prospects in the game, Mead represents a prime buy-low opportunity for dynasty managers after struggling last year in his first taste of the majors. The 23-year-old presumably wasn’t ever fully healthy after suffering a wrist injury last May that seemed to sap his offensive numbers. He’s not too far removed from posting a .900 OPS with nine homers and four steals across 278 plate appearances last year for Triple-A Durham. There might not be a better rebound candidate anywhere entering 2024.

It’s entirely possible we’re far too low on Muncy, who has eclipsed the lofty 30-homer threshold in four of the last six seasons since 2018, and will remain a key component of Los Angeles’ star-studded lineup through at least 2026. Yet, it’s difficult to move him up more than a handful of spots as he remains a batting-average sinkhole, doesn’t steal bases, and is about to enter his mid-30s. Depending on specific roster composition, it might make sense to roll the dice on younger alternatives like Burger and Mead taking a step forward rather than continuing to bank on Muncy continuing to mash into his mid-30s. His dynasty value is obviously exponentially higher in on-base percentage formats.

Tier 5

(24) Jordan Westburg, Orioles, Age: 211 Overall Rank: 211

(25) Tyler Black, Brewers, Age: 23 Overall Rank: 212

(26) Brett Baty, Mets, Age: 24, Overall Rank: 213

(27) Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pirates, Age: 27, Overall Rank: 221

(28) Brady House, Nationals, Age: 20, Overall Rank: 230

Westburg is the most likely name in this tier to slip a bit once the 2024 campaign gets going as it appears Jackson Holliday is Baltimore’s long-term answer at the keystone and he’s unlikely to hold off fellow top prospect Coby Mayo for too long at the hot corner. There’s some intrigue here for fantasy purposes, but his long-term appeal takes a hit if he’s limited to a utility role with the Orioles.

Black is one of the more intriguing prospects on this list for fantasy purposes as he figures to also pick up second-base eligibility and has also shown an impressive blend of power and speed production in the upper minors. The 23-year-old slashed a robust .284/.417/.513 with 18 homers and 55 steals in 558 plate appearances last year between Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Nashville. His path to regular at-bats got a bit more complicated with Milwaukee’s offseason acquisition of third baseman Joey Ortiz, and former top prospect Sal Frelick learning to play third base, but it feels like only a matter of time before he gets a look in the big leagues. He’s the type of prospect who can rocket up these rankings in a hurry if his power/speed skillset works at the highest level.

On the heels of an incredibly disappointing rookie campaign where he finished with a disastrous .598 OPS with just nine homers and two steals in 389 plate appearances after being called up for good in mid-April, Baty spent the offseason overhauling his swing mechanics in an effort to keep his bat in the strike zone longer, which should lead to an increase in consistent hard contact. He has the inside track to locking down the Mets’ third base job this spring and could easily jump up at least 10 spots, if not more if his swing changes lead to an uptick in offensive production.

Tier 6

(29) Ryan McMahon, Rockies, Age: 29, Overall Rank: 275

(30) Matt Chapman, Free Agent, Age: 30, Overall Rank: 277

(31) Brock Wilken, Brewers, Age: 21, Overall Rank: 278

(32) Maikel Garcia, Royals, Age: 24, Overall Rank: 279

(33) Jeimer Candelario, Reds, Age: 30, Overall Rank: 290

(34) Zach Dezenzo, Astros, Age: 23, Overall Rank: 299

Garcia is likely to rise a few spots in the next Top 500 overall update after hitting .272 with four homers and 23 steals in 515 plate appearances last year in his full-season debut. His spot in Kansas City’s batting order will be a significant factor in determining his long-term value for fantasy purposes as there’s a huge difference in the counting stats department between leading off directly in front of franchise cornerstone Bobby Witt Jr. or being stuck at the bottom of the order batting ninth.

Candelario quietly put together the best season of his career last year, setting new career-high marks in homers (22) and steals (eight) in 140 games between the Nationals and Cubs. The 30-year-old landed in an ideal spot for fantasy purposes when he signed a three-year, $45 million pact this offseason with the Reds. He should benefit tremendously from Great American Ball Park, which Statcast park factors rank as the third-best for offensive production over the last three seasons. He’s not the most attractive option for dynasty managers at the hot corner, but he feels like an excellent value in the later rounds as a corner infield option.

If you’re searching for a potential sleeper, Wilken fits the bill. He has a legitimate chance to be closer to the top-15 range in these dynasty rankings by the end of the 2023 campaign as has done nothing but hit since being selected 18th overall in last year’s MLB Draft out of Wake Forest. The 21-year-old rising slugger could factor into the Brewers’ infield mix at some point later this year if he continues to mash in the upper minors. It’s easy to envision him as a perennial 30-homer threat, especially in Milwaukee’s hitter-friendly offensive environment.

Dezenzo showed up on fantasy radar screens last year when he posted a stellar .914 OPS with 18 homers and 22 steals between High-A Asheville and Double-A Corpus Christi. The 23-year-old, who opened his professional career at shortstop, is destined to transition to either third base or second base at some point in the near future, and is highly likely to make an impact for fantasy managers at some point in the coming seasons. He should already be rostered in all keeper and dynasty league formats at this juncture and has a chance to rise up this list significantly in the coming months. It’s possible he’ll wind up as Alex Bregman’s replacement at the hot corner if the veteran winds up leaving next offseason via free agency.

Tier 7

(35) Oswald Peraza, Yankees, Age: 23, Overall Rank: 246

(36) Justyn Henry-Malloy, Tigers, Age: 24, Overall Rank: 384

(37) Graham Pauley, Padres, Age: 23, Overall Rank: 391

(38) Willi Castro, Twins, Age: 26, Overall Rank: 408

(39) Ezequiel Duran, Rangers, Age: 24, Overall Rank: 436

(40) Sterlin Thompson, Rockies, Age: 22, Overall Rank: 450

(41) Eugenio Suárez, Diamondbacks, Age: 32, Overall Rank: 466

(42) Luis Rengifo, Angels, Age: 27, Overall Rank: 474

Malloy spent the offseason preparing to play the corner outfield spots in an effort to open up additional avenues to at-bats in Detroit, which became even more critical to his short-term outlook after the club signed veteran third baseman Gio Urshela at the outset of camp. The 24-year-old on-base machine doesn’t have much left to prove in the minors from an offensive standpoint, after compiling a strong .277/.417/.474 triple-slash line with 23 homers and five steals in 611 plate appearances last year for Triple-A Toledo, but still needs to find a permanent defensive home. He figures to make a jump in these third base dynasty rankings if his power and plate discipline combo works at the highest level.

A 13th-round selection in the 2022 MLB Draft, Pauley burst onto dynasty radar screens last year when he hit .308/.393/.539 with 23 round-trippers and 22 stolen bases across three minor-league levels in San Diego’s system. The 23-year-old is capable of playing multiple positions and figures to open the year at Triple-A San Antonio. He’s an unheralded under-the-radar stash for dynasty managers in deeper formats entering 2024.

Castro broke out last year in his Twins debut, batting .257 with nine round-trippers and a career-high 33 thefts in 409 plate appearances. His pedestrian over-the-fence pop and batting average put a lid on his potential ceiling, but he certainly benefited from a green light on the bases in Minnesota and the new stolen-base-friendly league-wide environment. He’s more of a temporary stopgap in dynasty leagues than a long-term solution, but he’s put himself on the map in deeper formats.

It’s always exciting to envision a talented prospect like Thompson getting a shot in Coors Field, but he’s still a hyperspace jump or two away from the big leagues with just 34 games above High-A under his belt entering 2024. The 22-year-old possesses some intriguing pop and can also run, which makes him worth monitoring and stashing in deeper dynasty formats, especially if he’s going to get a chance in Colorado someday.

Tier 8

(43) Addison Barger, Blue Jays, Age: 24, Overall Rank: 486

(44) Bryan Ramos, White Sox, Age: 22, Overall Rank: NR

(45 Elehuris Montero, Rockies, Age: 25, Overall Rank: NR

(46) Nick Loftin, Royals, Age: 25 Overall Rank: NR

(47) J.D. Davis, Giants, Age: 30 Overall Rank: NR

(48) Yoán Moncada, White Sox, Age: 28 Overall Rank: NR

(49) Casey Schmitt, Giants, Age: 25 Overall Rank: NR

(50) Yohandy Morales, Nationals, Age: 22, Overall Rank: NR

If you’re speculating on a name from this crop, it’s Montero, who batted .286 with six homers last September to earn another look as part of Colorado’s crowded infield mix. The 25-year-old former top prospect has always possessed stratospheric raw power, but persistent contact issues prevented him from getting to it consistently at the highest level. His unexpected late-season breakthrough came almost immediately after making a small physical adjustment to his swing last August to keep his head locked on the point of contact to eliminate his tendency to open his stance, especially on breaking pitches away from the plate. If last year’s minor adjustment enables him to keep hitting for power, while slashing his strikeout rate, he could potentially make an impact for fantasy managers in deeper dynasty formats.

Dynasty Third Base Rankings

Got a beef with George’s 2024 Dynasty Third Base Rankings? Let him hear it in the comments below. For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run. If you enjoyed these dynasty second base rankings make sure to check out George’s full Top 500 Dynasty Rankings!