2026 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: Third Base

Welcome to a brand new series at RotoWire which features our favorite sleepers by position. Over the next two weeks, we'll share sleepers and deep sleepers at every position on the diamond. Here's how we're defining "sleeper" and "deep sleeper":

• Sleeper: a player being drafted between picks 150 and 350, using the NFBC ADP, who could significantly outperform his draft price
• Deep Sleeper: a player being drafted after pick 350, using the NFBC ADP, who could significantly outperform his draft price

After going through the catcher spot, first base, and second base, let's take a look at the top sleepers at third base for your 2026 fantasy baseball drafts.

Best 2026 Third Base Sleepers

Carlos Correa, HOU (NFBC: 269, RW: 276) 

Correa signed a six-year, $200-million contract with the Twins in January of 2023 and saw his production decline annually after his original deal with the club the previous season. Injuries played a role in that drop as he went from playing 148 games in 2021 with Houston to 136, 135 and 86 the next three years. Correa only produced seven homers, 31 RBI and a .705 OPS through 93 Minnesota appearances before being dealt back to the Astros at the trade deadline.

The move back to Houston provided the elixir for what had ailed Correa as he registered a .290/.355/.430 slash line alongside six home runs, 21 RBI and 23 runs across 51 outings. He also benefitted from his shift from shortstop to third base, which may have cut some of the wear on his arm and body.

As we noted in our preseason outlook, Houston's dimensions can once again help Correa reach the 20-home run plateau while a healthy Yordan Alvarez can help create more RBI opportunities for Correa. His 2021 homer and RBI totals are within reach if all goes well physically for him and with Alvarez's foot. If all comes together as hoped, Correa should exceed his 2022-2025 stats and inch closer to what he posted during 2021.

Kazuma Okamoto, TOR (NFBC: 303, RW: 219)

Okamoto is currently being drafted 82 spots lower than his Japanese compatriot Munetaka Murakami. Comparing that to RotoWire's current rankings shows a discrepancy of opinion as Okamoto is 219 while Murakami sits at 274. Part of the driver is the variant in batting average, though that shouldn't be the only creator of the gap.

Okamoto is a much more well-rounded player than Murakami by providing value across-the-board. His power doesn't specifically stand out, yet he should hit 20-plus homers in the Majors while displaying a good eye at the plate. The latter should help Okamoto's batting and on-base averages. He also benefits somewhat from the Toronto lineup to boost his chances of posting counting stats, including runs and RBI.

Okamoto signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Blue Jays after averaging 33 home runs from 2018-24 in the NPB before going deep 15 times over 69 contests in 2025. He should be fully healthy for Spring Training after suffering an elbow injury last season. Okamoto primarily played third in Japan, but has also seen time at first and left field. He's expected to mainly operate at the hot corner, though Addison Barger and Ernie Clement will also be in the mix.

Deep Sleepers

Jordan Lawlar, AZ (NFBC: 423, RW: 531)

Lawlar has seemingly been a prospect forever, yet was only selected in the first round of 2021. Injuries have been what he's most known for as each season has been cut short. Lawlar was limited to 63 games at Triple-A Reno last year with 20 each at second base, shortstop and third base.

Lawlar was drafted and thought of as the shortstop of the future, but was moved off there by the fine play of Geraldo Perdomo last season. The 23-year-old spent time in the Dominican Winter League with a mission to get comfortable in center field. Lawlar's path to playing time improved with the trade of Blaze Alexander - the team's presumed starting left fielder - to the Orioles earlier in February. He'll get most of his reps in the outfield this spring at both left and center field with the hot corner less of an option due to the acquisition of Nolan Arenado.

Lawlar will battle Ryan Waldschmidt for time in left and Alek Thomas in center field. The hope is that playing the outfield will keep Lawlar healthier. If he can remain on the field, he has a chance to open the season as a starting outfielder or at least receive a substantial uptick in action and production. If not, then a trip to the minors will come again. Lawlar's upside potential is what makes him a sleeper heading into fantasy drafts.

Willi Castro, COL (NFBC: 484, RW: UR) 

The first version of this column had Marcelo Mayer in this spot, though Boston's trade with Milwaukee and acquisition of Caleb Durbin changed their third base depth chart. Just like you'll need to do in your drafts, we've adjusted and adapted where Castro is being profiled.

Castro wasn't great with the Cubs following his arrival from Minnesota slashing .170/.245/.240 over 110 plate appearances during the regular season  while failing to get a single at-bat in the playoffs. And he didn't necessarily do well with the Twins, but still performed much better there.

Colorado inked Castro to a two-year, $12.8 million contract this offseason. As we noted in our notes following his signing, playing 81 games at Coors Field figures to help the 28-year-old's chances of bouncing back at the plate while his extreme defensive versatility combined with the Rockies' weak roster should keep him in the starting lineup nearly every day. Qualifying at multiple positions also enhances Castro's value to allow him to be moved to various spots in your lineups.

Who is your top sleeper at third base for 2026? Let us know in the comments below.