First Basemen
March 20, 2008
By: Chris Starbonell
Update! Writer
Fantasy owners tend to get a sizable amount of power from the first base position. It seems that most of the league’s top sluggers play the position, making it a relatively deep pool. Some folks like to wait on snagging a first baseman, noting how potential 25-plus home run guys are available late in drafts or even on the waiver wire. If you follow this tactic, just make sure you have some insurance because landing a dud at first base could derail your title dreams. Without further ado, Update! presents the top twenty first basemen.:
1. ALBERT PUJOLS
St. Louis Cardinals
2007 Stats: .327 AVG, 32 HR, 103 RBI, 99 R, 2 SB
Comment: Pujols was the consensus No. 1 overall pick heading into the 2007 draft. He went on to have somewhat of an “off-year.” Heed these words: Pujols is not in decline. He’s a 28-year-old beast who should come back strong this year to clobber 40-plus HR, 120 RBI and score at least 100 runs. As far as Update! is concerned, he’s still the elite pick of the position and should be taken in the early part of the first round.
2007 Stats: .327 AVG, 32 HR, 103 RBI, 99 R, 2 SB
Comment: Pujols was the consensus No. 1 overall pick heading into the 2007 draft. He went on to have somewhat of an “off-year.” Heed these words: Pujols is not in decline. He’s a 28-year-old beast who should come back strong this year to clobber 40-plus HR, 120 RBI and score at least 100 runs. As far as Update! is concerned, he’s still the elite pick of the position and should be taken in the early part of the first round.
2. RYAN HOWARD
Philadelphia Phillies
2007 Stats: .268 AVG, 47 HR, 136 RBI, 94 R, 1 SB
Comment: When it comes to power numbers, Howard is as productive as they come. He would have topped 50 HR for the second consecutive year, but he started off the season slowly. Of small concern should be Howard’s batting average; in 2006 he hit .313, but that figure dropped big-time in 2007. It’s worth noting, however, that he batted .280 in the second-half. Any way you slice it — with that lineup in that small ballpark — Howard should be a 50 HR, 130-plus RBI threat once again in 2008.
2007 Stats: .268 AVG, 47 HR, 136 RBI, 94 R, 1 SB
Comment: When it comes to power numbers, Howard is as productive as they come. He would have topped 50 HR for the second consecutive year, but he started off the season slowly. Of small concern should be Howard’s batting average; in 2006 he hit .313, but that figure dropped big-time in 2007. It’s worth noting, however, that he batted .280 in the second-half. Any way you slice it — with that lineup in that small ballpark — Howard should be a 50 HR, 130-plus RBI threat once again in 2008.
3. PRINCE FIELDER
Milwaukee Brewers
2007 Stats: .288 AVG, 50 HR, 119 RBI, 109 R, 2 SB
Comment: Fielder became the youngest player ever to hit 50 HR in the majors last season. He has a bright future ahead of him; he just needs to work on his steadiness. Here are Fielder’s month-by-month AVG/HR totals in 2007: .270/6, .321/13, .258/8, .277/3, .267/9 and .333/11. As you can see, he jumps up and down in his production. The amazing part is that despite his variations in stats, he still ends up with elite numbers. Just imagine how mammoth his game could be if he maintained a consistent pace.
2007 Stats: .288 AVG, 50 HR, 119 RBI, 109 R, 2 SB
Comment: Fielder became the youngest player ever to hit 50 HR in the majors last season. He has a bright future ahead of him; he just needs to work on his steadiness. Here are Fielder’s month-by-month AVG/HR totals in 2007: .270/6, .321/13, .258/8, .277/3, .267/9 and .333/11. As you can see, he jumps up and down in his production. The amazing part is that despite his variations in stats, he still ends up with elite numbers. Just imagine how mammoth his game could be if he maintained a consistent pace.
4. MARK TEIXEIRA
Atlanta Braves
2007 Stats: .306 AVG, 30 HR, 105 RBI, 86 R, 0 SB
Comment: Teixeira’s numbers with the Texas Rangers in 78 games last year were as follows: .297 AVG, 13 HR, 49 RBI and 48 R. Not too shabby, but check out Tex’s stats in just 54 games with the Braves: .317 AVG, 17 HR, 56 RBI and 38 R. He obviously had no problem adapting to his new team and joining a contending squad seemed to spark his bat. Teixeira could be in store for his best season yet in 2008, perhaps with a terrific batting average to boot.
2007 Stats: .306 AVG, 30 HR, 105 RBI, 86 R, 0 SB
Comment: Teixeira’s numbers with the Texas Rangers in 78 games last year were as follows: .297 AVG, 13 HR, 49 RBI and 48 R. Not too shabby, but check out Tex’s stats in just 54 games with the Braves: .317 AVG, 17 HR, 56 RBI and 38 R. He obviously had no problem adapting to his new team and joining a contending squad seemed to spark his bat. Teixeira could be in store for his best season yet in 2008, perhaps with a terrific batting average to boot.
5. JUSTIN MORNEAU
Minnesota Twins
2007 Stats: .271 AVG, 31 HR, 111 RBI, 84 R, 1 SB
Comment: Morneau was on pace for a monster season through the first-half of 2007, totaling a .295 AVG, 24 HR, 74 RBI and 57 R in 83 games. But he really fell apart (like the rest of the Twins team) in the second-half, garnering a .243 AVG, 7 HR, 37 RBI and 27 R. This is strange to see from Morneau, who did the complete opposite in 2006 en route to an AL MVP. Even though fantasy owners run some risk with Morneau struggling for a stretch of the season, the man can still be counted on for 30-40 HR and 110-125 RBI when it’s all said and done.
2007 Stats: .271 AVG, 31 HR, 111 RBI, 84 R, 1 SB
Comment: Morneau was on pace for a monster season through the first-half of 2007, totaling a .295 AVG, 24 HR, 74 RBI and 57 R in 83 games. But he really fell apart (like the rest of the Twins team) in the second-half, garnering a .243 AVG, 7 HR, 37 RBI and 27 R. This is strange to see from Morneau, who did the complete opposite in 2006 en route to an AL MVP. Even though fantasy owners run some risk with Morneau struggling for a stretch of the season, the man can still be counted on for 30-40 HR and 110-125 RBI when it’s all said and done.
6. CARLOS PENA
Tampa Bay Rays
2007 Stats: .282 AVG, 46 HR, 121 RBI, 99 R, 1 SB
Comment: Pena exploded onto the scene in 2007 as a 29-year-old breakout after the Boston Red Sox cut him the season before. If his numbers aren’t convincing enough, consider his Top 5 ranking in the American League in HR, RBI, slugging percentage (.627), on-base percentage (.411), extra base-hits (76), walks (103), OPS (1.037) and at-bats per HR (10.7). There is some risk involved with taking a player who has had only one great season, especially when that player will be 30 in May. But Pena’s game seems legit. Consider him a No. 1 first baseman.
2007 Stats: .282 AVG, 46 HR, 121 RBI, 99 R, 1 SB
Comment: Pena exploded onto the scene in 2007 as a 29-year-old breakout after the Boston Red Sox cut him the season before. If his numbers aren’t convincing enough, consider his Top 5 ranking in the American League in HR, RBI, slugging percentage (.627), on-base percentage (.411), extra base-hits (76), walks (103), OPS (1.037) and at-bats per HR (10.7). There is some risk involved with taking a player who has had only one great season, especially when that player will be 30 in May. But Pena’s game seems legit. Consider him a No. 1 first baseman.
7. LANCE BERKMAN
Houston Astros
2007 Stats: .278 AVG, 34 HR, 102 RBI, 95 R, 7 SB
Comment: Berkman regressed some in 2007. After spending 2006 putting up brawny stats (.315 AVG, 45 HR, 136 RBI, 95 R, 3 SB), his numbers suffered considerably in 2007. There are plenty of players out there who would consider last year a great season, but for Berkman, it may be the sign of a decline. It’s encouraging that Houston has built a better lineup in the off-season, so he should at least match last season’s stats if healthy in 2008.
2007 Stats: .278 AVG, 34 HR, 102 RBI, 95 R, 7 SB
Comment: Berkman regressed some in 2007. After spending 2006 putting up brawny stats (.315 AVG, 45 HR, 136 RBI, 95 R, 3 SB), his numbers suffered considerably in 2007. There are plenty of players out there who would consider last year a great season, but for Berkman, it may be the sign of a decline. It’s encouraging that Houston has built a better lineup in the off-season, so he should at least match last season’s stats if healthy in 2008.
8. JAMES LONEY
Los Angeles Dodgers
2007 Stats: .331 AVG, 15 HR, 67 RBI, 41 R, 0 SB
Comment: The future is now for Loney, who made his case for as the starting first baseman for 2008 by hitting .382 with nine HR, 32 RBI and 18 runs in Sept. If the Dodgers are smart, he’ll hit no later than fifth in the lineup. It’s not everyday that you get a young, gifted slugger like Loney who can drive the ball and hit for a high batting average. With Grady Little gone from the manager’s role (he stubbornly kept Loney out of the starting lineup for most of the season despite Los Angeles’ struggling offense), Loney will flourish this season.
2007 Stats: .331 AVG, 15 HR, 67 RBI, 41 R, 0 SB
Comment: The future is now for Loney, who made his case for as the starting first baseman for 2008 by hitting .382 with nine HR, 32 RBI and 18 runs in Sept. If the Dodgers are smart, he’ll hit no later than fifth in the lineup. It’s not everyday that you get a young, gifted slugger like Loney who can drive the ball and hit for a high batting average. With Grady Little gone from the manager’s role (he stubbornly kept Loney out of the starting lineup for most of the season despite Los Angeles’ struggling offense), Loney will flourish this season.
9. ADRIAN GONZALEZ
San Diego Padres
2007 Stats: .282 AVG, 30 HR, 100 RBI, 101 R, 0 SB
Comment: It’s frustrating that Gonzalez can’t play all his games on the road; he pounded 20 HR and drove in 64 runs in 82 games away from San Diego. This off-season, the Padres added Tadahito Iguchi and Jim Edmonds, which gives the offense a boost (though they still lack protection for Gonzalez’s bat). He turns 26 in May and is still getting better, so he should at least improve a little on last season’s numbers, regardless of the home stadium situation.
2007 Stats: .282 AVG, 30 HR, 100 RBI, 101 R, 0 SB
Comment: It’s frustrating that Gonzalez can’t play all his games on the road; he pounded 20 HR and drove in 64 runs in 82 games away from San Diego. This off-season, the Padres added Tadahito Iguchi and Jim Edmonds, which gives the offense a boost (though they still lack protection for Gonzalez’s bat). He turns 26 in May and is still getting better, so he should at least improve a little on last season’s numbers, regardless of the home stadium situation.
10. CARLOS GUILLEN
Detroit Tigers
2007 Stats: .296 AVG, 21 HR, 102 RBI, 86 R, 13 SB
Comment: Guillen makes the shift to first base from shortstop this season due to his diminishing fielding range and the acquisition of Edgar Renteria. While he doesn’t fit the bill of a power-hitting first baseman, Guillen did reach career-highs in HR and RBI in 2007. He’s a great hitter that can hit well over .300 and should score over 100 runs in that explosive runs Tigers lineup. For fantasy purposes though, since he’ll probably be shortstop eligible, he’ll have more value slotted in as a shortstop (though he’s bound to finish as a top-15 first baseman as well).
2007 Stats: .296 AVG, 21 HR, 102 RBI, 86 R, 13 SB
Comment: Guillen makes the shift to first base from shortstop this season due to his diminishing fielding range and the acquisition of Edgar Renteria. While he doesn’t fit the bill of a power-hitting first baseman, Guillen did reach career-highs in HR and RBI in 2007. He’s a great hitter that can hit well over .300 and should score over 100 runs in that explosive runs Tigers lineup. For fantasy purposes though, since he’ll probably be shortstop eligible, he’ll have more value slotted in as a shortstop (though he’s bound to finish as a top-15 first baseman as well).
11. DERREK LEE
Chicago Cubs
2007 Stats: .317 AVG, 22 HR, 82 RBI, 91 R, 6 SB
Comment: It wasn’t exactly a return to his incredible 2005 campaign, when he knocked 46 HR with a .338 AVG and 120 runs, but Lee sort-of bounced-back after an injury-ruined 2006 season. He hit .317 in 2007, but his HR and RBI numbers could have been better. One positive for him from last season, however, is the fact that he swatted 16 HR in the second-half, meaning he does have the potential to hit 30 HR.
2007 Stats: .317 AVG, 22 HR, 82 RBI, 91 R, 6 SB
Comment: It wasn’t exactly a return to his incredible 2005 campaign, when he knocked 46 HR with a .338 AVG and 120 runs, but Lee sort-of bounced-back after an injury-ruined 2006 season. He hit .317 in 2007, but his HR and RBI numbers could have been better. One positive for him from last season, however, is the fact that he swatted 16 HR in the second-half, meaning he does have the potential to hit 30 HR.
12. PAUL KONERKO
Chicago White Sox
2007 Stats: .259 AVG, 31 HR, 90 RBI, 71 R, 0 SB
Comment: The entire White Sox offense struggled mightily for most of the season, attributing to Konerko’s mediocre stat-line. The good news for fantasy owners is that the White Sox organization is adamant about once again becoming a contending team. They’ve gone out and added Orlando Cabrera and Carlos Quentin to help the offense and the development of players like Jerry Owens and Josh Fields should lead to a much better White Sox lineup for 2008. Konerko should rebound this season and drive in over 100 runs while hopefully getting his batting average back to the .280 range.
2007 Stats: .259 AVG, 31 HR, 90 RBI, 71 R, 0 SB
Comment: The entire White Sox offense struggled mightily for most of the season, attributing to Konerko’s mediocre stat-line. The good news for fantasy owners is that the White Sox organization is adamant about once again becoming a contending team. They’ve gone out and added Orlando Cabrera and Carlos Quentin to help the offense and the development of players like Jerry Owens and Josh Fields should lead to a much better White Sox lineup for 2008. Konerko should rebound this season and drive in over 100 runs while hopefully getting his batting average back to the .280 range.
13. TODD HELTON
Colorado Rockies
2007 Stats: .320 AVG, 17 HR, 91 RBI, 86 R, 0 SB
Comment: Helton’s 30 HR days appear to be over, but he still has significant fantasy value at age 34. With players like Troy Tulowitzki, Brad Hawpe, Garret Atkins and NL MVP Matt Holliday, the Rockies have built themselves a formidable middle of the order, one that Helton stands to benefit from. Don’t be surprised if he actually improves on last season’s numbers.
2007 Stats: .320 AVG, 17 HR, 91 RBI, 86 R, 0 SB
Comment: Helton’s 30 HR days appear to be over, but he still has significant fantasy value at age 34. With players like Troy Tulowitzki, Brad Hawpe, Garret Atkins and NL MVP Matt Holliday, the Rockies have built themselves a formidable middle of the order, one that Helton stands to benefit from. Don’t be surprised if he actually improves on last season’s numbers.
14. KEVIN YOUKILIS
Boston Red Sox
2007 Stats: .288 AVG, 16 HR, 83 RBI, 85 R, 4 SB
Comment: The Gold Glove winner provided an incredible amount of grit and plate patience to the 2007 World Series Champs, but fantasy owners shouldn’t think of him as a mere role player on draft day. Youkilis had career-highs in batting average, HR and RBI. The beauty of Youkilis’ game is his versatility. He can hit anywhere in the lineup, so if he’s given a bulk of at-bats in the two-hole, he’ll pick up a ton of runs with Big Papi and Manny Ramirez hitting behind him. If he bats fifth, he’ll drive in a ton of runs. It’s a win-win with Youkilis, who should continue to improve in 2008.
2007 Stats: .288 AVG, 16 HR, 83 RBI, 85 R, 4 SB
Comment: The Gold Glove winner provided an incredible amount of grit and plate patience to the 2007 World Series Champs, but fantasy owners shouldn’t think of him as a mere role player on draft day. Youkilis had career-highs in batting average, HR and RBI. The beauty of Youkilis’ game is his versatility. He can hit anywhere in the lineup, so if he’s given a bulk of at-bats in the two-hole, he’ll pick up a ton of runs with Big Papi and Manny Ramirez hitting behind him. If he bats fifth, he’ll drive in a ton of runs. It’s a win-win with Youkilis, who should continue to improve in 2008.
15. CARLOS DELGADO
New York Mets
2007 Season: .258 AVG, 24 HR, 87 RBI, 71 R, 4 SB
Comment: Delgado enjoyed quite possibly the worst season of his career in 2007. The man’s going to be 36 in June and is coming off a horrid season. Delgado has some incentive to improve, however. The Mets have a club option for 2009 worth at least $12 million, so if he wants to prove that he is still worth double-digit millions, he will have to come back strong in 2008. Look, he’s still in a great lineup that will give him plenty of RBI opportunities. There were times last season where he looked poised to bust out of his slump with a couple of big games, only to slip again. The guy could top 30 HR and 100 RBI and is worth taking a chance on. Just make sure you have a back-up first baseman drafted as insurance.
2007 Season: .258 AVG, 24 HR, 87 RBI, 71 R, 4 SB
Comment: Delgado enjoyed quite possibly the worst season of his career in 2007. The man’s going to be 36 in June and is coming off a horrid season. Delgado has some incentive to improve, however. The Mets have a club option for 2009 worth at least $12 million, so if he wants to prove that he is still worth double-digit millions, he will have to come back strong in 2008. Look, he’s still in a great lineup that will give him plenty of RBI opportunities. There were times last season where he looked poised to bust out of his slump with a couple of big games, only to slip again. The guy could top 30 HR and 100 RBI and is worth taking a chance on. Just make sure you have a back-up first baseman drafted as insurance.
16. DARIC BARTON
Oakland Athletics
2007 Stats: .347 AVG, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 16 R, 1 SB
Comment: Barton has to battle Dan Johnson for playing time, but if Barton’s play following his 2007 call-up suggests, he should get plenty of at-bats in 2008. He showed some nice power and based on his upside, Barton should be the everyday first baseman when it’s all said and done.
2007 Stats: .347 AVG, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 16 R, 1 SB
Comment: Barton has to battle Dan Johnson for playing time, but if Barton’s play following his 2007 call-up suggests, he should get plenty of at-bats in 2008. He showed some nice power and based on his upside, Barton should be the everyday first baseman when it’s all said and done.
17. BILLY BUTLER
Kansas City Royals
2007 Stats: .292 AVG, 8 HR, 52 RBI, 38 R, 0 SB
Comment: Played in just 92 games in his rookie season but still came away with solid numbers. Despite getting some time at first, Butler figures to slot in as the full-time DH for 2008. The Royals offense should be stronger with the development of Alex Gordon and the acquisition of Jose Guillen, so Butler could surprise a lot of people with a fantastic season.
2007 Stats: .292 AVG, 8 HR, 52 RBI, 38 R, 0 SB
Comment: Played in just 92 games in his rookie season but still came away with solid numbers. Despite getting some time at first, Butler figures to slot in as the full-time DH for 2008. The Royals offense should be stronger with the development of Alex Gordon and the acquisition of Jose Guillen, so Butler could surprise a lot of people with a fantastic season.
18. JOEY VOTTO
Cincinnati Reds
2007 Stats: .321 AVG, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 11 R, 1 SB
Comment: We’ll have to see how new manager Dusty Baker plays it, but Joey Votto sho
2007 Stats: .321 AVG, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 11 R, 1 SB
Comment: We’ll have to see how new manager Dusty Baker plays it, but Joey Votto sho
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