As the MLB free agent frenzy continues and spring training gets underway, fantasy baseball drafts are in full-swing. As you prepare for your draft, the depth at each position should warrant serious consideration when organizing your plan of execution. 

You don’t need to overrate the idea of position scarcity, but acting fast in some cases could be the difference between winning and losing. The lack of depth at both first base and third base should have you focusing early on filling the corner infield spots on your roster. 

First and third base positions are considered top-heavy this season. According to recent ADP trends, the top six first basemen and top eight third basemen are off the board within the first 100 picks of a standard 12-team draft. Once you start looking for help beyond those 14, there is a significant drop-off in both talent and reliability. That’s not to say you can’t find a legitimate bat late in your draft. There may be a low batting average or diminishing power, but there are still serviceable options to be had. 

If your draft is past the eighth or ninth round and you still haven’t found your first baseman, consider someone like the Rockies’ C.J. Cron or even the Mariners’ Ty France. In his first season in Colorado, Cron batted .281 with 28 home runs and 92 RBIs while France, who also has bonus eligibility at second base, hit .291 with 18 home runs in his first full season. The numbers don’t leap off the page, but they shine as role players after you build up elsewhere. 

If third base is a struggle, check out Yoan Moncada of the White Sox. He has 20-homer power, recently changed his diet to get into better shape and even told the media he wanted to steal more bases. People forget that Moncada swiped 94 bags at the lower levels of the minors, but stopped running to focus on his power and defense. The bat should be strong, but if he can raise his value by stealing bases, you’re getting a huge bargain where he is being drafted. 

The recommendation is to grab your corner infielders early, but it’s not a requirement. Let the draft come to you and see how best to react. If you have to wait at either first or third, you have some decent options available. 

Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy baseball advice