Albert Pujols Injury: Top 10 Fantasy First Basemen to Replace the Hurt Cardinal

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ST. LOUIS, MO - JUNE 19: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals holds his wrist after a collision with Wilson Betemit #24 of the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium on June 19, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images)

Jeff Curry/Getty Images

A lot of fantasy owners thought they saw their season shatter when first baseman Albert Pujols fractured his left wrist in Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Pujols numbers have been off the charts since he came into the league and his durability has never been an issue. Pujols has played at least 143 games since 2001 and the least productive he has been was in 2007 when he hit 32 home runs and had 103 RBI.

Pujols is having a somewhat down year this season, but he’s still an elite player. He is batting .279 with 17 home runs and 45 RBI.

Even though Pujols is one of the best first baseman, don’t fret because there are still plenty of fantasy first baseman to add to your roster.

Here is a list of the top 10 first basemen available.

10. Brett Wallace, Houston Astros

HOUSTON - JUNE 13: Brett Wallace #29 of the Houston Astros doubles to center field against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park on June 13, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Bob Levey/Getty Images

The Astros don’t have a lot to hang their hat on, in terms of hitting or pitching, but Wallace is one the few good players the Astros have. In his first full season, the young first baseman is showing he belongs in the league.

He’s batting .303 with a .392 OBP and has four home runs and 21 RBI.

9. Daniel Murphy, New York Mets

NEW YORK - JUNE 17: Daniel Murphy #28 of the New York Mets walks back to the bench after striking out in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on June 17, 2011 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New Y

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

Murphy’s is so important to own because he is eligible not just at first base but second and third as well. Murphy is in the middle of a slump right now, but his numbers this season are decent.

He’s batting .285 with four home runs and 22 RBI. Look for Murphy to break through later this season.

8. Mitch Moreland, Texas Rangers

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: Mitch Moreland #18 of the Texas Rangers in action against the New York Yankees during their game on June 16, 2011 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Al Bello/Getty Images

Moreland is kind of a hot-cold hitter, but when he’s hot, he’s hot. Moreland has massive power. Hitting in that Texas ballpark will only help him hit more homers.

He has nine home runs and 21 RBI this year.

7. Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 20: Todd Helton #17 of the Colorado Rockies bats in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on June 20, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Mr. Consistency, Todd Helton. A career .323 hitter, Helton will always give you average points for fantasy. Helton is already having a better year than last.

Last year, he had eight home runs and 37 RBI batting only .256. This year he’s batting .311 with nine home runs and 31 RBI. Over his last 10 games Helton is on a tear, racking up eight runs, 11 hits, one home run and six RBI.

6. Anthony Rizzo, San Diego Padres

SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 11: Anthony Rizzo #27 of the San Diego Padres hits a solo home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park on June 11, 2011 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Ima

Denis Poroy/Getty Images

Rizzo tore up the minor leagues this year hitting .365 with a ridiculous .444 OBP. In the majors this year, Rizzo isn’t doing too well, but he has an OBP of .350 meaning he is not over swinging when he steps up to the plate.

Rizzo just needs time to find his groove again.

5. Ty Wigginton, Colorado Rockies

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 14: Ty Wigginton #21 of the Colorado Rockies looks on from the dugout during the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on April 14, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris Trot

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Last year, Wigginton had an unbelievable first half. This year it seems like he’s come back to earth a little bit, but recently is showing that last season, wasn’t a fluke.

Wigginton is very good for power, hitting seven home runs this season for Colorado. Over his last 10 games, Wigginton has seven runs, 11 hits, two home runs and six RBI. Wigginton is also available at third base.

4. Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JUNE 09: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves rounds second base after hitting a triple against the Florida Marlins at Sun Life Stadium on June 9, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Marc Serota/Getty Images

Coming in at 6’5" and weighing 222 pounds Freeman is the ideal first baseman. He also is only 21 years old and was rated the No. 17 prospect this year.

His output this year is solid. Freeman has seven homers and 27 RBIs. Over his last 10 games, Freeman has 10 hits, two home runs and five RBI.

3. Mark Trumbo, Los Angeles Angels

ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 04: Mark Trumbo #44 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bats against the New York Yankees on June 4, 2011 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Another tall young first baseman, Trumbo has a lot of potential and is putting up a solid year. The Angels are not looking too bad this year.

Only three games back of the Rangers for first place, and Trumbo could play an important role at the end of the year. He leads his team with 12 home runs.

2. Justin Smoak, Seattle Mariners

SEATTLE - MAY 06: Justin Smoak #17 of the Seattle Mariners bats against the Chicago White Sox at Safeco Field on May 6, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won 3-2. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Smoak was part of the big deal that brought Cliff from Seattle to Texas. Mariner fans were of course angry about Lee leaving, but Smoak has showed fans why the Mariners acquired him.

This year he is tied for sixth among American League first baseman with 12 home runs. He also has ranks sixth among American League first baseman with 40 RBI.

1. Casey Kotchman, Tampa Bay Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JUNE 16: Infielder Casey Kotchman #11 of the Tampa Bay Rays rounds the bases after his sixth inning home run against the Boston Red Sox during the game at Tropicana Field on June 16, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Mer

J. Meric/Getty Images

A lot of people had high hopes in Anaheim for Casey Kotchman, when he first debuted in 2004. After some pretty average years in Los Angeles, he moved to Atlanta, then Boston and finally, Seattle last year, where he struggled.

This year, it’s a different story in Tampa. In the 58 games he’s played this year, Kotchman is off to a career-best season. Kotchman leads the team in batting average (.341) and OBP (.402). Over his last 10 games Kotchman has 14 hits, one home run and six RBI. Not too shabby.

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