The crowded rundown of the position is as follows�

1. Albert Pujols (STL) � Ranked #12 overall on Sportsline, qualifies at the position based on 41 appearances in 2002. Those selecting Al early should go ahead and load up on other first basemen/outfielders as well � then stick Pujols and his .300+, 120 runs, 35 HR, and 120 RBI at the hot corner where he easily outdistances the competition.



2. Eric Chavez (OAK) � A more consistent bat gives Chavez a slight nod among full-time third basemen. Runs have only fallen in the 90 range the past three seasons, but has eclipsed 30 HR�s the past two seasons along with RBI totals of 114 and 109, along with a BA in the .280 range. Eric has also been a durable performer, appearing in 153, 151, and 153 games since 2000.



3. Troy Glaus (ANH) � 6�5� 245lb�er provides best power at the position, as 118 HR and 321 RBI (along with 319 runs) would attest � which makes him the best 3B choice next to Pujols in a point-style game. Also has a surprising 34 stolen bases over the past three years. Only problem is that he is a 0-25 slump waiting to happen and has only hit .250 in each of the past two seasons. Came up huge to those in post-season pools however, going 21-61 (.344), along with 15 runs, along with 7 HR and 13 RBI in helping power the Angels to the World Title. Any clip close to that for an entire season would propel him to the top of the 3B heap.



4. Scott Rolen (STL) � Hit .278, with 37 runs, 14 HR, and 44 RBI in August and September after finally being dealt at the trade deadline. Multiply that by three and you have some idea what Rolen is capable of while being protected in a top-flight lineup. Did put his running shoes away as his stolen bases dipped from 16 in 2001 to eight last year.



5. Phil Nevin (SD) � Probably his last year of 3B eligibility (unless he�s finally traded), as he is slated for right field duty next season, and is also eligible at first base. After an injury-riddled �02, look for him to come close to his 2001 #�s of .306/97/41/126.



6. Eric Hinske (TOR) � Helped zillions of fantasy teams fortunate to spend a late-round pick or early FA acquisition on him, as Hinske goes .279/99/24/84/13 en route to winning AL Rookie of the Year honors. This after a trade from Oakland helped Hinske emerge from being blocked behind Eric Chavez. Expect the opposition to put in situational lefties in whenever possible, as Hinske only hit .202 against them.



7. Aaron Boone (CIN) � The .241 batting average was a concern, but is still a .271 lifetime hitter. More than made up for the BA woes with 26 HR, 87 RBI and a surprising 32 stolen bases. The SB�s were a huge surprise since his previous career high was 17 in 1999. Even if the SB�s drop, Aaron would still be good if he picks up the average while maintaining the power.



8. Aramis Ramirez (PIT) � Appeared headed for superstardom after a .300/34/112 season in 2001, the best numbers of any Pittsburgh third sacker since the glory days of Pie Traynor. If you remember Pie�s exploits, you�ve lived a long and fruitful life and are probably one of the world�s oldest fantasy players. Aram started 2002 going 16-46, but with no homers and only five RBI before severely spraining an ankle in a bench clearing brawl, an injury that would hamper him much the rest of the way. Aram went on to finish .234/18/71 in 522 AB�s, a huge dropoff from the previous year. Aram is still only 24, so check out his health during spring training. If healthy Aram could easily return to the top five overall at the position.



9. Tony Batista (BAL) � Another great option for the point-style games. Hit 31 home runs and 87 RBI in �02, but at the expense of a .244 BA. Of concern is that two teams (AZ and TOR) have given up on Tony and his free-swinging ways. Toronto let Batista go to the O�s for practically nothing after only hitting .207 in 271 AB�s in the first half of �01 � so don�t be surprised if Tony becomes trade bait again.



10. Joe Crede (CWS) � Should be the best of a bumper crop of third base prospects on the verge of breaking through. Got in a great two-month statistical sample to close out 2002, finishing with a .285 BA with 12 HR and 35 RBI. Multiply that by three and you get an idea of the potential. A must for salary-cap CDM type games.



11. Mark Bellhorn (CHC) � You read about him in both the first and second base previews, and Bellhorn qualifies here as well � where he will also be listed in the CDM games. If you feel he can add some RBI�s while maintaining the home runs, he�ll will be of good value.



12. Adrian Beltre (LA) � We�ve been waiting forever for his breakout, but keep in mind that he will not turn 24 until just after opening day. Hit a disappointing .257 last year as opposed to .290 back in 2000. Beltre finished with 21 HR and 75 RBI, but keep in mind that Beltre went .278/14/47 after July 1.



13. Mike Lowell (FL) � Lowell�s resume has been pretty much chiseled out, as Mike is a .280 type hitter who�s averaged a solid 25 HR and 94 RBI over the past three years. Lowell usually hits in the #5 or #6 position, so a similar output can be expected in 2003.



14. Jose Hernandez (COL) � Starts the season only eligible at shortstop (where he will be explained more) but has already been pencilled in as the Rockies opening day third basemen. Lost in all of Hernandez�s strikeout exploits over the past two years was a .288 BA (up from .244 and .249) along with 24 HR and 73 RBI with the woeful Brewers. Not only does Colorado mean better power numbers, but historically a cutdown on strikeouts as well. You could be looking at .300/30/100 this year.



15. Corey Koskie (MN) � A solid five-category player in 2001, finishing at .276/100/26/103/27. Fell across the board last year ending up at .267/71/15/69/10 in 140 games. Don�t expect 20 SB�s ever again, but the Twins offensive nucleus remains intact, so Koskie should remain in the middle of many a Twins rally.



16. Jose Valentin (CWS) - You know that Valentin has hit double figures in home runs every year since 1994, and in fact has 78 bombs in the past three seasons??? More impressively, this has come in only 403 of a possible 486 games (83 percent), making him a 30 HR candidate (along with 90 runs, 90 RBI) if he could just stay healthy the entire year. The problem lies in a .248 career BA that causes the team to look for more consistant options on some days. Once a double-digit base stealer, Valentin has only swiped twelve bags the past two seasons. Also qualifies at shortstop.



17. Shea Hillenbrand (BOS) � Was a huge waiver wire pick-up in April/May, when Shea hit .320 with 10 HR and 40 RBI. Hillenbrand crashed hard after that, only going .281/8/43 the rest of the way. Baseball America once only ranked him as the 25th best prospect in the Boston organization, so there may not be much upside left. My advice is, unless he�s available late, the best course of action may be to let Shea fall into the clutches of a die-hard Sox fan come draft day.



18. Edgardo Alfonzo (SF) � Once hailed as the second coming of Ryne Sandberg, Edgardo did at least find his hitting stroke again in �02, hitting .308 along with 78 runs, 16 HR, and 56 RBI after slumping to .243 back in 2001. Is a right handed hitter, which does not bode well power wise at Pac Bell.



19. Robin Ventura (NYY) � Once a solid .280 to .300 type hitter, Ventura has slumped to .232, .237, and .247 the past three seasons. However Ventura still produces solid power numbers with 27 HR and 93 RBI last year. Highly touted prospect Drew Henson is having problems in the minors and may be reconsidering his potential career as an NFL quarterback, so you need not worry much about Robin looking over his shoulder.



20. Joe Randa (KC) � Not a home run hitter, but has averaged 14 HR and 88 RBI over the past four seasons, and is a .285 career hitter.



21. David Bell (PHI) � Solid year with the Giants in �02, hitting .261 with 82 runs, 20 HR, and 73 RBI, and should produce similar numbers after signing for four years, $17 million with the Phils.



22. Scott Speizio (ANH) � Played 20 games at the hot corner in �02, barely giving him eligibility at the position. A good utility late-round pick.



23. Wes Helms (MIL) � Qualifies at both first and third, and will be the Brewers full-time third basemen after hitting .243 with 6 HR and 22 RBI in 210 AB�s with the Braves last year. In 2001 Helms hit 10 HR and 36 RBI in 216 AB�s, but with only a .222 BA.



24. Fernando Tatis (MTL) � Hard to believe the five category force he one was in 1999 (.298/104/34/107/21) where he was a top-20 selection. Still had decent numbers when he got on the field, hitting 15 HR and 55 RBI in 114 games � but at the cost of a .228 batting average.



25. Mark Teixeira (TX) � Would you be interested in a prospect capable of making an Albert Pujols type splash??? Ranked by the Sporting News as the #1 prospect for 2003, and was also listed by Baseball America as the #1 prospect in the Arizona Fall League. Teixeira will have to battle veteran Hubert Perry and fellow phenom Hank Blalock for playing time in Spring Training, but is still worth a late-round pick even if it means stashing on reserve.



26. Sean Burroughs (SD) � Remains a highly touted prospect, and did finally get valuable playing time while hitting .377 in September. However the power is currently non-existent with only one HR and 11 RBI in 192 AB�s.