MLB Fantasy Baseball: 2011 NL-Only Top 10 First Baseman Rankings

Ryan LesterFeb 28, 2011

Here’s an early look at the 2011 NL Only First Base rankings.

1. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

The only concern I have with Albert is the contract situation, but I think he is professional enough to put that aside when the season starts.

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2. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

Votto put up monster numbers last year and should only get better as Jay Bruce and Drew Stubbs solidify the Reds’ lineup.

3. Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies

Howard’s numbers dropped last year, but he’s far from finished. He’s as good a bet as anyone to lead the league in HRs and RBI.

4. Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers

Another bopper that struggled to get on track. His 141 RBI in 2009 seem like a fluke, but he’s a good bet for 35 HRs and 100-plus RBI.

5. Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

Like Victor Martinez in AL and mixed leagues, Posey will largely be drafted as a catcher, but he does maintain 1B eligibility. He really showed maturity for his age (23 when the season started), hitting .288 in the playoffs. He hit .305 with 18 HRs and 67 RBI as a rookie. Assuming he can avoid the sophomore slump, he should be in line for 20-plus HRs and 75-plus RBI.

6. Aubrey Huff, San Francisco Giants

The Giants aren’t known for their offense, but with Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval, who is in much better shape, Huff should be a fine first base option in NL leagues. He hit .290 last year with 26 HR and 86 RBI and has quietly averaged 24 HRs and 86.6 RBI since 2002.

7. Adam LaRoche, Washington Nationals

LaRoche is another one of those players that fly under the radar. He’s hit 25 HRs in each of his past three seasons and has averaged 24.7 HRs and 87.3 RBI the past six years.

8. Carlos Pena, Chicago Cubs

Pena is a bona fide power hitter. He hit 28 HRs last year and has averaged 36 over the past four years. His average was terrible, but he was terribly unlucky, sporting a .222 BABIP.

9. Ike Davis, New York Mets

Davis is coming off a solid .264-73-19-71-3 rookie season. If the Mets can stay healthy, he will be in a tough lineup featuring David Wright, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, Jason Bay and Angel Pagan. With that kind of talent around him, he should be even stronger in 2011.

10. Gaby Sanchez, Florida Marlins

A far cry from sexy, but Sanchez did his Jorge Cantu impression last year with a solid .273-72-19-85-5 season. He narrowly beat out James Loney.