Corner infield spots in fantasy baseball are known for solid power options, especially at the top of the position. However, there are numerous targets at third base being selected later in fantasy baseball drafts that can give your fantasy team some solid power numbers. If you find yourself waiting at third base, or looking for some cheap power in your corner infield spots, there are guys going outside of the top 12 at the position, per fantasy baseball ADP (average draft positions), that could give your team some respectable power numbers. In fact, there’s a dark-horse option a bit further down fantasy baseball rankings who will have 1B/3B eligibility early on that could contend for the most home runs at the position overall! Who could that be? We’ll dissect that particular hitter, as well as a couple of other players at the hot corner who could provide your fantasy team with solid power numbers later on in the draft.

 

 

Munetaka Murakami, Chicago White Sox

Back in 2022, Murakami hit 56 home runs with a .318 average and .392 ISO in the NPB. In just 56 games last season, he hit 22 home runs and posted a .390 ISO and .462 wOBA. At his ceiling, he’ll lead all third baseman in home runs. He may strikeout at one of the higher clips, too, as his strikeout rate was 28-plus-percent in each of the last three seasons, but the raw power is unquestionably legitimate.

The concern with strikeouts at the MLB level with Murakami are valid, and honestly, a significant concern. His contact rate was sub-70-percent in each of his last four seasons in the NPB, and while elite power options like Kyle Schwarber and Aaron Judge posted sub-70-percent contact rates last season as well, those two are proven hitters at the MLB level. It might be unfair to Murakami, but he hasn’t done it at the MLB level yet. It doesn’t mean he can’t do it, it just means he hasn’t to date.

His home park isn’t the most lucrative to left-handed power, but when Murakami gets a hold of it, no MLB stadium will be able to contain this guy. The history of players coming over from the NPB isn’t overly favorable to Murakami’s projected power output, but few possess the raw power of Murakami. I think a floor of ~25 home runs is a safe projection, but like I mentioned, his ceiling could see him lead all third baseman in homers.

 

 

Kazuma Okamoto, Toronto Blue Jays

Like Murakami, Okamoto comes over from Japan after a lengthy run of success in the NPB. Prior to an injury-impacted 2025 season, Okamoto hit at least 27 home runs in seven straight seasons, hitting .275 or higher in four of those seasons. He displayed a strong walk rate throughout his entire NPB career, and the strikeout rate dropped each of his last two years, while only exceeding 20-percent one time (2019).

There could be some growing pains in his first season in the MLB, but from a power perspective, there’s a lot to like about his numbers from the NPB, and the fact that the Blue Jays play in the AL East. Strong fly ball rates and frequent hard contact help power production, and Okamoto should do both for the majority of the season. Watch out if he moves up in the order (projected seventh by Roster Resource), because if he hits in front of Vladimir Guerrero, he’s going to get pitches to hit, and he’ll make pitchers pay.

Like I mentioned with Murakami, the past history isn’t overly kind to immediate power production at the big-league level, but I’m optimistic about Okamoto hitting for power right away. Could he get to 25-plus home runs? I wouldn’t rule it out if all goes well…

Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers

Muncy taught a great lesson to young kids in the beginning of 2025. Don’t shy away from wearing glasses! Through May 11th of last season, Muncy was hitting just .190 with a 29.3 strikeout rate and one measly home run across 150 plate appearances. Over the next 238 plate appearances, he would go on to hit .278 with 18 home runs, good for a .594 SLG, .316 ISO, and 176 wRC+. From May 14th on last season, of players with at least 200 plate appearances, Muncy’s .594 SLG was sixth-best, his 176 wRC+ was third-best, and his .316 ISO was seventh-best!

He plays in one of the best lineups in baseball, and he continues to be elite in terms of his percentile rankings in barrel rate, hard hit rate, and xSLG. The Dodgers likely use him in a platoon at third base, but he should remain strong against RHP, and provide fantasy managers with 20-25 home runs while being drafted outside the top 15 at the position.

 

 

Miguel Vargas, Chicago White Sox

Okay, so the first couple of guys in this list aren’t exactly bold takes or big surprises. So, we’ll go a bit bolder here with Vargas. In his first full season with the White Sox in 2025, he hit 16 home runs and posted a .401 SLG across 138 games. He’s a fly ball heavy hitter, and when paired with his 9.3-percent barrel-rate and 40.5-percent hard-hit rate, it’s easy to see the appeal when it comes to his power projection. Sure, those numbers aren’t elite by any means, but it’s good enough when it comes to leaving the yard.

How can Vargas get better? Well, 13 of his 16 home runs last season came against fastballs, so improving against non-heaters is a good first step. He’s been pulling the ball more, which is good, and his Pull AIR% has increased every year he’s been in the big leagues, which is beneficial to his power production.

He’s set to be the team’s everyday third baseman, and per Roster Resource, he’s going to begin the season as the team’s No. 3 hitter! Our projections here at Fantasy Alarm have him for 14 home runs, whereas other projection systems like ATC and THE BAT X have him in the 19-22 range. In his age-26 season, he should continue to grow, and I believe Vargas will give fantasy managers 20+ home runs in 2026. Not an elite source of power by any means, especially for a corner infielder, but for someone drafted outside of the top 20 players at his position, 20+ home runs would be a fine return on investment.

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