Ahead of the moves of Miguel Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez to 3rd base, the location was one of many weakest in fantasy baseball.
Evan Longoria, who batted .244 last season, would were No. 1. David Wright, who hit .254 and was limited to 389 at-bats by injury, would had been No. 2, and Adrian Beltre — who was superb the last two years but was consistently mediocre within the previous five campaigns — would were ranked third.
Now, the location has a couple of hammers on the top — the player we believe is the second one-best overall (Cabrera) and the player who, until last year, was a consensus top-two or top-three overall choice (Ramirez).
Let’s get to our final pre-spring training rankings among the many infielders …
Note: All players are ranked on the positions at which they’re expected to spend the foremost time in 2012, not all positions at which they’re eligible. … Stats are from 2011.
Rank, player, team R-HR-RBI-SB-Avg.
1. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers 111-30-105-2-.344
2. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins 55-10-45-20-.243
3. Evan Longoria, Rays 78-31-99-3-.244
4. David Wright, Mets 60-14-61-13-.254
5. Adrian Beltre, Rangers 82-32-105-1-.296
6. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox 68-17-80-3-.258
7. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees 67-16-62-4-.276
8. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals 52-12-49-3-.289
9. Pablo Sandoval, Giants 55-23-70-2-.315
10. Aramis Ramirez, Brewers 80-26-93-1-.306
11. Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays 26-9-25-7-.293
12. Ryan Roberts, Diamondbacks 86-19-65-18-.249
13. David Freese, Cardinals 41-10-55-1-.297
14. Mark Reynolds, Orioles 84-37-86-6-.221
15. Mike Moustakas, Royals 26-5-30-2-.263
16. Chipper Jones, Braves 56-18-70-2-.275
17. Chase Headley, Padres 43-4-44-13-.289
18. Pedro Alvarez, Pirates 18-4-19-1-.191
19. Danny Valencia, Twins 63-15-72-2-.246
20. Placido Polanco, Phillies 46-5-50-3-.277
Last three out: Lonnie Chisenhall, Indians; Brent Morel, White Sox; Ian Stewart, Cubs.
Eligibility notes: Jose Bautista is eligible at third base, but primarily is an outfielder. … The Rangers’ Michael Young needs to be eligible at third base in lots of leagues, but he’ll be Texas’ DH (he’s going to top our rankings at that “position”). … The Braves’ Martin Prado is an outfielder, as is the Marlins’ Emilio Bonifacio.
Key stats: You likely should wait a few weeks for Ramirez to be eligible at third, but he can be definitely worth the temporary inconvenience. The .306 career hitter had an injury-marred 2011. Sooner than last season, however, he averaged 25 home runs, 78 RBI and 39 steals from 2006 to ’10.
PREVIOUS: Catchers, first basemen, second basemen, shortstops
NEXT: Designated hitters
