2026 Fantasy Baseball: Third Base Draft Busts

Let's go over fantasy baseball third base draft busts after just taking a look at some possible draft steal options.

Here are the other positions we've covered so far: outfielders (steals and busts) and shortstops (steals and busts). Check back for more in the days/weeks to come!

More fantasy baseball average draft position data can be found on FantasySP. Draft Genius now has custom head-to-head scoring options and on demand AI expert help for every pick.

Manny Machado - San Diego Padres

Machado is the third fantasy third baseman off draft boards so far, going around pick 32 on average.

He was the fourth fantasy third baseman in ESPN points leagues a season ago, and was a ways off from the top-two performers (Jose Ramirez and Junior Caminero). Machado was pretty comfortably in fourth.

Machado had a fine season at the plate in 2025. His numbers were pretty good across the board, showing he has plenty of gas in the tank.

He's also in his age-33 season, so some regression is likely coming. It might not be a drastic dropoff, but even slight regression could mean he doesn't live up to his ADP. I think he's going just a bit too early, maybe by a round or so.

Matt Chapman - San Francisco Giants

Chapman is the eighth fantasy 3B off draft boards, going around pick 122 on average.

That's not super early in drafts, but he's also a top-10 option, meaning he's a starting option in 10-team leagues. Chapman was barely inside the top 10 a season ago.

He played in 128 games, but saw his average drop, while continuing to strike out a bunch. As he approaches 33 years old, I think more regression is coming, not a huge bounceback year.

Again, Chapman isn't a super early pick, so he's not a major draft bust option, but I just have a hard time believing he will be the eighth-best fantasy 3B in 2026. I think it's more likely he's outside the top 10 than inside it, so I'm labeling him a bust at his current ADP.

Max Muncy - Los Angeles Dodgers

Muncy is another guy who isn't going super early in drafts, but he's 3B9 off draft boards, so labeling him a bust is still valid in my eyes. Muncy is going around pick 127 right now.

Muncy got in just 100 games last season, and 73 the year before that. He hasn't played over 140 games since 2021.

Muncy isn't going to hit for a high average, but a good OBP and power numbers is what drives his fantasy value up. He's also probably going to strike out more than a time per game. 

He's part of a loaded LA lineup, but could be destined for a platoon at third base. Muncy will still play enough to be a fantasy asset, but I see him more as a deep-league option, and not worthy of being a top-10 fantasy pick at the position.

Jordan Westburg - Baltimore Orioles

Westburg is the 12th third baseman off draft boards, going around pick 145 right now. That's been dropping because of an early-season injury, which is why I'm labeling him as a bust for 2026.

Westburg has played in the big leagues for the past three years. He's yet to go over 107 games, and only logged 85 games in 2025. The early-season injury he's dealing with now is expected to keep him out at least for April, and maybe much longer than that.

Westburg can be a good fantasy hitter when healthy, but he's just too big of a risk with all his injury concerns. It'd be tough to trust him, even as a secondary fantasy third baseman in a standard league.

I have him as a better deep-league option as well, and someone to add/utilize in standard leagues if he stays healthy and is delivering consistently.

Isaac Paredes - Houston Astros

Paredes is the 13th third baseman off draft boards, going near pick 147 on average so far.

He too dealt with injuries a season ago, only getting into 102 contests. Paredes had good numbers when he was out there, but his outlook in Houston is super murky right now.

Paredes has been in trade rumors early this year. He's not even expected to start, but is instead in a platoon. As a right-handed hitter, Paredes wouldn't play enough in a platoon for standard league usage.

A change of scenery could change his outlook, but for now, Paredes looks like a draft bust to me. Of course, his ADP means he's going very late in standard leagues, but I simply think there are better gambles to take near that pick. He's another one to add in standard leagues if he stays healthy and is producing consistently.