Fantasy Baseball 2011 Rankings: Albert Pujols and The Top 10 First Basemen

Albert Pujols is the best player in the game of baseball, so it's no surprise he headlines the list of first basemen in 2011.

But, first base is such a deep position that, even in a 12-team league, if you aren't getting strong production from that slot, there's something wrong with you.

I mean, Justin Morneau and Billy Butler barely made the top 10 and Kendry Morales didn't make the cut at all.

Yet, if you can get any of those three guys, you'll be in good shape for your season.

Of course, if you can get Pujols, by all means, do it! But there won't be much of a drop off with any of the other nine guys on this list.

Here are the top 10 first basemen for the 2011 fantasy baseball season.

10. Billy Butler, Kansas City Royals

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KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 13: Billy Butler #16 of the Kansas City Royals circles the bases after hitting a home run during the 5th inning of the game against the New York Yankees on August 13, 2010 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by

Butler hits for a high average (.318 in 2010) and displays some power.

If the Royals had a better lineup around him, he could eclipse 100 RBI in a season.

But, with what the Royals are currently fielding, he'll top out around 80-85 RBI this season.

He'll also probably finish with between 18-25 home runs for Kansas City.

9. Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins

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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 06: Justin Morneau #33 of the Minnesota Twins bats against the Oakland Athletics during an MLB game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on June 6, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Morneau played in exactly half of the Twins' games this season, but he was super productive in those 81 games.

He hit .345 with 18 home runs and 56 RBI before suffering a concussion and all the post-concussion symptoms possible.

If his stats were projected over a full season, he would have finished with 36 home runs and 112 RBI.

If he's healthy, he should come in at just under those numbers in 2011.

8. Adam Dunn, Chicago White Sox

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WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 24: Adam Dunn #44 of the Washington Nationals hits a home run in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park on September 24, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Dunn should maintain his 1B eligibility throughout the season, platooning with Paul Konerko at DH/1B.

And, you know what you are going to get from Dunn: low average, huge power numbers.

In 2010, Dunn hit .260 with 38 home runs and 103 RBI in 2010 with the Nationals.

In a smaller ballpark, his power numbers should go up, but in the American League, his batting average will probably suffer even more.

7. Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers

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CINCINNATI - MAY 18: Prince Fielder #28 of the Milwaukee Brewers is pictured during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 18, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Prince Fielder at No. 7? Really?

Yes, that's how stacked first base is this season.

Plus, Fielder had a down-year in terms of power last season, driving in only 83 runs. He hit a respectable 32 home runs, but he's capable of more.

This year, the trade rumors should be swirling all year, and I expect that to slightly lower his productivity.

6. Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Mark Teixeira #25 of the New York Yankees bats against the Texas Rangers in Game Four of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 19, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Ge

Tex had a down year last year in terms of batting average, hitting only .256.

He still managed to pound 33 home runs and drive in 108 runs though, so there's not much to worry about with his power numbers.

And, if his average bounces back to the .275 range, he could finish with even more home runs and RBI.

Expect a big year from Teixeira.

5. Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 21: Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after striking out against the San Francisco Giants in Game Five of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October 21, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Phot

Howard and Fielder have very similar styles at the plate, but Howard executes that style better.

Howard had a better average and more RBI than Fielder in 2010, and I expect that to happen again in 2011.

Citizens Bank Park really helps out Howard's numbers, too.

4. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

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CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 12: (FILE PHOTO) Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds stands at the plate during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ballpark on September 12, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio.The Baseball Writers' Association of A

Votto had a huge year in 2010, anchoring a Reds team that came from nowhere to win the NL Central.

He hit .324 with 37 home runs and 113 RBI in a year in which he challenged for the triple-crown.

I expect him to be in the top five or 10 in the National League in these three categories again in 2011.

3. Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox

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BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 06: Adrian Gonzalez answers questions during a press conference to announce his signing with the Boston Red Sox on December 6, 2010 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Adrian Gonzalez will probably benefit from getting away from the San Francisco Giants pitching staff in the NL West.

Plus, he's finally playing in Fenway, a ballpark immensely smaller than the cavernous Petco Park.

Even in Petco, Gonzalez managed to hit .298 with 31 home runs and 101 RBI.

Expect better from him this year.

2. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

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NEW YORK - AUGUST 19: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers runs the bases after his first inning two run home run against the New York Yankees on August 19, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Im

If Cabrera can get his average up this season, he has a legitimate shot of winning the AL triple-crown.

He hit .328 with 38 home runs and 126 RBI in 2010.

With Victor Martinez being added to the Tigers' lineup, expect Cabrera to see some better pitches and have more RBI opportunities this season.

1. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

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ST. LOUIS - AUGUST 1: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium on August 1, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Pirates 9-1. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Image

Pujols is simply the best player in baseball.

In 2010, he had another amazing season, hitting .312 (a bad year for him) with 42 home runs and 118 RBI.

He and Joey Votto should be battling it out for the triple crown again this season.

Hopefully, you have the No. 1 pick in your league's fantasy draft so you can grab Pujols. If not, any of the other first basemen on this list should serve you just fine.