In preparation for our early mock draft, we go position-by-position with some preliminary rankings for Draft Day 2009. Our rankings are based on position eligibility for next season, which requires 20 games at a position to be eligible. If a player has not played 20 games, his primary position will be defined as what position he has played the most games at -- unless it is a current AL player that will be classified as DH-only.

Initial third base rankings for 2009
RK Player TM The thinking is as follows …
1 Alex Rodriguez NYY Not bad for a "down" year, but his New York counterpart is in the conversation now.
2 David Wright NYM Steady year start to finish this time gives him a great case to be No. 1 here in '09.
3 Evan Longoria TB Likely AL ROY had great numbers despite a two-week late start and a month on DL.
4 Kevin Youkilis BOS Lowell's injury gives Youkilis his 3B eligibility back and he returns as an elite one.
5 Aramis Ramirez CHC He gets the nod over Chipper because of his steadiness and lack of injury risk.
6 Aubrey Huff BAL Renaissance had him produce at a top-five level, but he needs to do it back-to-back.
7 Chipper Jones ATL No third baseman was as productive with their at-bats, but you just cannot rely on him.
8 Garrett Atkins COL He has slipped the past few years -- and look out below if he leaves Coors Field.
9 Chris Davis TEX Rookie masher can reach 30 homers and 100 RBI -- but also 160 strikeouts?
10 Ryan Zimmerman WAS Shoulder woes are devastating on power numbers but he did some some late life.
11 Mark DeRosa CHC Versatility and good pop are valuable, so he is high here even without a regular spot.
12 Jorge Cantu FLA If he hadn't run so hot and cold in past years, we could rank him a lot higher here.
13 Troy Glaus STL He had a healthy and productive first season in the NL, but you cannot ignore the risk.
14 Mark Reynolds ARI If Fantasy was just about homers and run production, this masher would be higher.
15 Edwin Encarnacion CIN He will never hit .300, but in that ballpark he could break through for 30-100 at age 26.
16 Mike Lowell BOS If you could guarantee a full season he has to be in the top 10. You certainly cannot.
17 Carlos Guillen DET Another injury-risk sleeper. Might he have played more if the team was in the race?
18 Alex Gordon KC He was supposed to be Braun and Longoria before them. Will he ever be?
19 Chone Figgins ANA He really needs complete health to be where his once lofty standards had him before.
20 Adrian Beltre SEA It is apparent he will never be his pre-contract self, but he is good for 25 HRs a year.
21 Melvin Mora BAL Another veteran renaissance but there are no guarantees at his age next year.
22 Ian Stewart COL Breakthrough could lead to a deal of Atkins or Helton, so move Stewart up if he starts.
23 Hank Blalock TEX Another great September finish, but we have been tricked by this from him before.
24 Casey Blake LA One of the most underrated, albeit streaky, bats in Fantasy -- where will he call home?
25 Kevin Kouzmanoff SD He won't ever be elite, or consistent in-season, but he can do this year to year now.
26 Ty Wigginton HOU Power and versatility are there, but so is the injury risk and the questions about at-bats.
27 Joe Crede CHW Back injuries have claimed players before, so you cannot be sure what you will get.
28 Bill Hall MIL He regains infield eligibility, but his hot streak never came and future is less certain.
29 Jed Lowrie BOS The versatility is nice, but he should be starting at shortstop in all '09 Fantasy lineups.
30 Pedro Feliz PHI Power and ballpark work in his favor, but he needs to earn his at-bats due low OBP.
31 Brandon Wood ANA His bat might not look like much, but one of these years he is going to put it together.
32 Andy LaRoche PIT Continued struggles are really surprising, considering his talent, so look out above.
33 Jose A. Bautista TOR Blue Jays stole him from the Pirates, but he still needs to earn his playing time.
34 Scott Rolen TOR Shoulder has never been the same and has sapped his power and made him day-to-day.
35 Eric Chavez OAK Speaking of injury-risks sleepers. Chavez has come to define that term in Fantasy.
36 Brandon Inge DET Like Lowrie above, Inge should be starting only at catcher in Fantasy lineups next year.
37 Brian Buscher MIN He won't impress you with much power or any speed, but he has a job and room to grow.
38 Josh Fields CHW Mysterious year after he already proved big league and Fantasy worthy. Watch him.
39 Greg Dobbs PHI Fewer part-time players were more clutch down the stretch, so he could earn a job.
40 Andy Marte CLE Where has this talent gone, besides downhill in a hurry? He is still just 25, though.

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