2012 Fantasy Baseball: 1st Base Rankings

This is the next installment of my 2012 fantasy baseball rankings series. The next position that will be ranked is first base.

This slideshow will include my projected top 25 fantasy first basemen, and projected stats will be listed for each player.

First base is a lot thinner than usual this year, so it would be wise to grab one early. Let me know what you think in the comment section, and you can check out my catcher rankings by clicking here.

1. Albert Pujols, Angels

Pujols will be hitting for the Angels from now on, and the lineup there is better than the one he hit for in St. Louis. 

Last year was considered an off year for Pujols, and he still hit 37 home runs and 99 RBIs with a .299 average. Only someone like Pujols could hit like that and have it be classified as an off year.

An underrated attribute for Pujols is his base-stealing ability, which you can't find often in a first baseman. Draft him if you get the first pick. You won't regret it.

Projected Stats: .312, 109 R, 41 HR, 116 RBI, 10 SB 

2. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers

Cabrera is considered as the player who should be selected first overall. He's not as good as Pujols, but is still a surefire top-three pick.

Having Prince Fielder as his teammate will benefit him, and he's a consistent hitter who always gets a high batting average. Third-base eligibility will be a bonus for his owners as well.

Projected Stats: .327, 110 R, 35 HR, 114 RBI, 2 SB

3. Joey Votto, Reds

Votto has been a reliable, consistent first baseman ever since he became the Reds' starting first baseman. His durability and consistency make him a good first round pick.

He's always capable of joining the .300-30-100 club, and his base-stealing ability is excellent for a first baseman. 

Hitting in a stacked Reds lineup will help Votto contend for the NL MVP award again.

Projected Stats: .306, 102 R, 32 HR, 105 RBI, 9 SB

4. Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox

Gonzalez regressed in the home run department last season, but he still put together a spectacular season. Look for him to improve last year's numbers.

Hitting in a stacked lineup and in Fenway Park should help him increase his power and become an AL MVP candidate.

His average is always high, but his inability to steal bases holds him back from being the top fantasy first baseman. 

Projected Stats: .325, 103 R, 33 HR, 110 RBI, 0 SB

5. Prince Fielder, Tigers

Fielder won't have Ryan Braun to hit behind anymore, but he will have Miguel Cabrera. 

He's still an elite first baseman who can hit 30 home runs and 100 RBIs, and he should adjust to his new team quickly. Draft him with confidence.

Projected Stats: .285, 97 R, 34 HR, 113 RBI, 1 SB

6. Mark Teixeira, Yankees

Teixeira posted another season with excellent power numbers, but his batting average continued to decline. His number of runs scored went down too.

Although he hit .248, his power stroke is still intact, and the Yankees lineup is still as stacked as ever. Teixeira is a safe pick, but you will be sacrificing batting average if you draft him.

Projected Stats: .258, 102 R, 37 HR, 113 RBI, 3 SB

7. Paul Konerko, White Sox

Konerko is 35, but he has still managed to put up big numbers for the White Sox, and there's no reason to think he will slow down this year.

Konerko's one of the most consistent players in baseball, and the White Sox lineup should be able to improve from last year's struggles.

Projected Stats: .292, 74 R, 28 HR, 100 RBI, 0 SB

8. Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks

I know ranking Goldschmidt this high is risky, but there's no reason to think he can't live up to his hype. 

Chase Field is a hitter-friendly park, and the Diamondbacks lineup will continue to emerge. Goldschmidt can also steal bases.

His ESPN ranking is pretty low, so take advantage of the opportunity to draft him as a steal if you can.

Projected Stats: .263, 84 R, 26 HR, 89 RBI, 8 SB

9. Eric Hosmer, Royals

Hosmer had a Rookie of the Year-caliber campaign for the Royals last season, and their lineup is still improving. He's a great base stealer as well.

Hosmer's not a top tier fantasy first baseman yet, but he's ranked in the top 50 in the ESPN rankings, so drafting him as high as you will likely have to isn't worth the risk.

Definitely snag him in a keeper league, though.

Projected Stats: .278, 78 R, 22 HR, 87 RBI, 10 SB

10. Adam Lind, Blue Jays

Lind had a great season in 2011, but it wasn't as good as his 2009 breakout season. It looked like he would get there in the first half, though, until he slumped in the second half.

Lind still put up great overall numbers and will do so this season, too. The Blue Jays lineup is solid, and Lind isn't a big name in drafts, so he would make a great sleeper pick.

Projected Stats: .271, 74 R, 27 HR, 89 RBI, 1 SB

11. Carlos Pena, Rays

Pena returning to Tampa Bay will help his fantasy value. The Rays have a better lineup than the Cubs, and Pena's average should continue to stay above the Mendoza line.

Pena is often overlooked for his low batting average, but he's consistent in the power department. He can always be counted on for 25-plus home runs.

Even though you're sacrificing batting average, you're getting a bargain with how low he is currently ranked.

Projected Stats: .232, 77 R, 29 HR, 87 RBI, 2 SB

12. Ike Davis, Mets

Davis suffered an injury last season, but he was well on his way to posting a productive season for the Mets with a .302 average and seven home runs in very limited action.

Citi Field will be a more hitter-friendly park this season with the fences being moved, so Davis' power stroke will help him become an instant NL Comeback Player of the Year candidate.

Buy low on him while you can.

Projected Stats: .284, 78 R, 23 HR, 82 RBI, 2 SB

13. Freddie Freeman, Braves

Freeman will be hitting in an improved Braves lineup, and he's very durable.

A sophomore slump is always a possibility, though, but if he can keep improving his plate discipline, he should be a serviceable fantasy option.

Projected Stats: .275, 71 R, 20 HR, 79 RBI, 4 SB

14. Kendrys Morales, Angels

Morales is finally regaining his health and may even be able to play on Opening Day. Now's the time to get him as a bargain.

Morales posted MVP-caliber numbers in 2009 and did great in 2010 as well before his injury. He has a great contact rate and is a reliable run producer.

He will be a contender for the AL Comeback Player of the Year award if he can bounce back.

Projected Stats:  .293, 65 R, 24 HR, 78 RBI, 3 SB

15. Adam Dunn, White Sox

Dunn's 2011 season was embarrassing to say the least. He hit .159 and only had 11 home runs and 42 RBIs.

His numbers can only go up from last season. His average will always be a liability, but he should become a serviceable power hitter again.

Projected Stats: .236, 67 R, 27 HR, 80 RBI, 0 SB 

16. Ryan Howard, Phillies

Rupturing his Achilles tendon rubbed salt in the wound for Howard, as the Phillies were eliminated from the playoffs. 

Howard will probably start the season on the DL, but when he comes back, he will be a viable fantasy option if he progresses back to full health well. 

Drafting him could be a bargain for owners in the long run, but draft someone to fill the void while he's out.

Projected Stats: .269, 56 R, 23 HR, 72 RBI, 0 SB

17. Gaby Sanchez, Marlins

Sanchez isn't a power hitter like other first baseman, but he's a consistent hitter who can always be counted on for 80 RBIs.

The Marlins' improving lineup may help him boost his numbers too.

Projected Stats: .271, 72 R, 18 HR, 82 RBI, 3 SB 

18. Carlos Lee, Astros

Lee is declining, but he's still a serviceable fantasy option who can put up respectable numbers. 

He can still hit 20 home runs and 80 RBIs, and he may have more upside in the second half of the season if the Astros decide to trade him at the deadline.

There's no lineups in the majors that are worse than the Astros lineup.

Projected Stats: .271, 66 R, 20 HR, 82 RBI, 3 SB 

19. Justin Morneau, Twins

Morneau's MVP-caliber days are over, but if he can stay healthy, he's still a solid option at first base.

Look for Morneau to split time at first base in order to decrease his injury risk, and drafting him in the late rounds isn't a bad idea.

Projected Stats: .268, 62 R, 21 HR, 72 RBI, 0 SB

20. James Loney, Dodgers

Loney isn't your typical first baseman. He has moderate power at best.

He's still a pretty solid run producer, though, and can hit for average. Drafting Loney will give you a solid backup at first base.

Projected Stats: .286, 61 R, 12 HR, 78 RBI, 6 SB

21. Justin Smoak, Mariners

Smoak hasn't lived up to his hype, but he has shown flashes of power.

The Mariners lineup has always been weak, but it's steadily improving with young players that have star potential. 

If Smoak can pick up from where he left off at the end of last season, he could be a draft steal. He's a low risk pick with high reward being a possibility.

Projected Stats: .256, 51 R, 19 HR, 63 RBI, 0 SB

22. Brandon Belt, Giants

Belt played in limited action last season, but still hit nine home runs. His potential for a full season makes him a good sleeper pick.

He's one of the biggest prospects for the Giants and should be able to become an everyday player this season.

Projected Stats: .263, 60 R, 18 HR, 62 RBI, 4 SB

23. Mitch Moreland, Rangers

Moreland had some health issues last season and didn't look too great when he was playing.

He should be able to land the starting first baseman job again, though, and he will be a serviceable backup first baseman for fantasy owners.

Projected Stats:  .265, 57 R, 17 HR, 59 RBI, 2 SB

24. Adam LaRoche, Nationals

LaRoche is aging and declining, but he still has some pop left.

The Nationals have a stacked lineup, so he's still capable of putting up respectable numbers, making him an acceptable backup.

Projected Stats: .254, 61 R, 18 HR, 62 RBI, 0 SB

25. Garrett Jones, Pirates

Jones isn't a great contact hitter, but he still has pretty good power and can steal some bases.

Jones is past his prime at age 30, but his numbers are still pretty good for a fantasy backup.

Projected Stats: .251, 53 R, 17 HR, 59 RBI, 5 SB