Fantasy Baseball 2012: NL Only First Base Rankings

Here are the 2012 LestersLegends' first base rankings for NL-only leagues.

1. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

Votto took a step back last year, but who can take issue with a .309-101-29-103-8 line? The American League has most of the big guns, so Votto is the easy choice in NL leagues.

2.  Michael Morse, Washington Nationals

I like Morse for his production the past 1.5 years (46 HRs since June, 2010) and his positional flexibility (1B, OF).

3.  Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves

Freeman also came in with high expectations. His .282-67-21-76-4 line did not disappoint. He could easily reach those numbers again, with a great possibility of improving.

4.  Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies

Howard will miss time with an Achilles injury, but he should still give you power when he returns. Even though he is going in the wrong direction, he is worth a look as a low-end starting first basemen or a high-end corner infield option.

5.  Ike Davis, New York Mets

Davis was hitting .302 with seven HRs and 25 RBI through 36 games. The Mets have made changes to Citi Field that should make it a little more hitter-friendly.

6.  Gaby Sanchez, Miami Marlins

Sanchez had nearly identical 2009 and 2010 seasons. Both years, he had 572 at bats, scored 72 runs and hit 19 HRs. His hit totals were within four of each other (156, 152), his RBI were within seven (85, 78) and his average within seven points (.273, .266).

While those certainly aren’t elite numbers, a .270-72-19-80-4 line isn’t the worst you can do, especially if it means you have a distinct advantage elsewhere.

7.  Michael Cuddyer, Colorado Rockies

Cuddy hit 20 last year for Minnesota, a number that could increase in Colorado. His multiple positional eligibility is an added bonus.

8.  Lance Berkman, St. Louis Cardinals

I can’t see him matching his .301-90-31-94-2 line, especially without Pujols, but he should be solid. Plus, he is eligible in OF as well.

9. Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks

He hits monster home runs, but can he improve on his .250 average? If last year’s playoff series is any indication, he can.

10. James Loney, Los Angeles Dodgers

His smoking second half (.320 average, .914 OPS) allowed Loney to recover from his feeble first half (.268, .653) to at least allow him to finish with a solid .288 batting average and mediocre .755 OPS.

He’s never been a power threat, but he averaged 89.3 RBI from 2008-2010. That number dropped to 65 last year. I’d only consider Loney a late-round option at best.

11. Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies

He isn’t the player he once was, and you have to worry that his back will give him fits at some point given his age (38), but he still hit .302 last year with a .850 OPS.

12. Carlos Lee, Houston Astros

After a tough 2010 season that saw Lee’s average dip to .246, he bounced back with a .275-66-18-94-4 line.

Unfortunately, the runs will likely continue to be sub-70, but he can still help in the HR and RBI categories. He has 1B/OF eligibility, which helps his cause.

Also check out:

• 2012 Fantasy Baseball First Base Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Rankings
• Additional 2012 Fantasy Baseball First Base Options
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers