Think about how sorry the state of third base would be right now if not for Junior Caminero. It is arguably the weakest position in Fantasy heading into the 2026 season – there were fewer players who generated at least $5 in value in 2025 than any other position – and only two third basemen even cracked Scott White’s Top 100 prospects list. And one of them is a nearly 30-year-old import from Japan!
I mean, Zach McKinstry and Lenyn Sosa were top-12 finishers at the position in 2025. Yes, that’s partially a result of guys like Jordan Westburg, Alex Bregman, and Austin Riley missing significant time and others like Nolevi Marte not quite emerging for a full season as dependable starters yet. But we also saw guys like Rafael Devers, Jorge Polanco, Colson Montgomery, and Sal Stewart all lose eligibility there.
But the reality is, while third base probably has more star-caliber players than, say, second base does, the position on the whole is probably shallower. Maybe we could see some young guys take a step forward, but then you have to balance that with the fact that four of the top eight in ADP are all well into their 30s; some of those guys dropping off is probably about as likely as the younger guys stepping up.
What I’m saying is, third base isn’t in great shape, and there’s not a lot of reason to think things are going to look better at the end of 2026 than they do right now. Impossible to see, the future is, but still, I’m not optimistic. Here’s what you can do about it:
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2026 Draft Prep
Third Base Top Prospects
Age (on opening day): 29
Where he played in 2025: Japan
NPB stats: .322 BA (270 AB), 15 HR, .992 OPS, 34 BB, 36 K
Okamoto’s numbers are even more impressive in the context of the NPB going through a dead-ball period right now, and while his age puts him about a dozen spots behind Munetaka Murakami on this list, his vastly superior contact skills make him the better bet to click, as reflected by his lengthier contract.
Scott’s 2026 Fantasy impact: pencil him in
Age (on opening day): 22
Where he played in 2025: High-A, Double-A
Minor league stats: .282 BA (444 AB), 17 HR, 15 SB, .870 OPS, 58 BB, 112 K
Already a patient hitter, Reimer became a more opportunistic one in 2025, punishing strikes as his home runs spiked with one of the highest pull-air rates in the minors. He may need even more power to carve out a role in the majors, though, since it’s unclear that he’ll be able to stick at third base.
Scott’s 2026 Fantasy impact: midseason hopeful
Age (on opening day): 24
Where he played in 2025: Triple-A majors
Minor league stats: .263 BA (415 AB), 16 HR, 18 SB, .834 OPS, 83 BB, 111 K
Major league stats: .190 BA (84 AB), 2 HR, 1 SB, .601 OPS, 11 BB, 35 K
Freeland is in a precarious spot, having already graduated to the majors but failed to make a strong impression in an organization that leaves no margin for error. While a capable shortstop, his best outcome with the Dodgers may be a utility role, having debuted as a fill-in for Max Muncy at third base. It’ll be his plate discipline that carries him, buoyed by a chase rate comparable to Juan Soto, but he could also develop into a 15-homer, 15-steal type if he gets the chance.
Age (on opening day): 21
Where he played in 2025: High-A
Minor league stats: .311 BA (74 AB), 1 HR, 8 SB, .848 OPS, 11 BB, 22 K
The 20th pick in the 2025 draft had only one home run in his first 19 professional games, but he had 25 in 65 games at the University of Tennessee last year, his slugging prowess representing a departure from the Brewers’ usual emphasis on bat-to-ball skills. That power is fueled more by a steep launch angle than pure exit velocities, though, which presents some batting average risk. Prospect361 comps him to Rhys Hoskins, which seems fair, except that Fischer may actually stick at third base.
Age (on opening day): 23
Where he played in 2025: High-A, Double-A
Minor league stats: .275 BA (360 AB), 12 HR, 23 2B, .773 OPS, 29 BB, 54 K
The biggest knock on White is that he’s likely destined for first base, where the Athletics are already overloaded and where right-handed hitters in general have a difficult time breaking in. But he can really hit, having achieved legendary status in college with the eighth-most home runs all time and having maintained a strikeout rate around 15 percent even as a professional. His muted production so far is mostly tied to spray angle, which is a common developmental hurdle.
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