Top 15 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty League First Basemen for 2010: Take Two

Unlike other positions, there is no drastic changes at the top at first base for Dynasty League owners.  Just looking at the names gives all the explanation needed.  Let’s take a look at how things currently stand:

1. Albert Pujols - St. Louis Cardinals
2. Mark Teixeira - New York Yankees
3. Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers
4. Prince Fielder - Milwaukee Brewers
5. Ryan Howard - Philadelphia Phillies
6. Justin Morneau - Minnesota Twins
7. Adrian Gonzalez - San Diego Padres
8. Kendry Morales - Los Angeles Angels
9. Mark Reynolds - Arizona Diamondbacks
10. Kevin Youkilis - Boston Red Sox
11. Joey Votto - Cincinnati Reds
12. Billy Butler - Kansas City Royals
13. Pablo Sandoval - San Francisco Giants
14. Adam Dunn - Washington Nationals
15. Lance Berkman - Houston Astros

Thoughts

• There is such depth at first base that upcoming prospects like Yonder Alonso, Justin Smoak, and Ike Davis have no chance of cracking this list.  They are great options for dynasty league owners, but you clearly don’t want to forfeit any part of 2010 when you have the ability to take more certain options.
• Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard flip-flop, thanks to the five year age difference.  In yearly leagues, I’d still rather have Howard’s almost certain 40+ home run power, but despite the question marks hanging over Fielder, he has the potential to be a great source of power for many years to come.
• Kevin Youkilis does get downgraded because of his age, but I wouldn’t move him down below Joey Votto among 1B (Youkilis has extra value due to being 3B eligible anyways).  I’m just not a full believer in Votto’s power, considering his HR/FB rate of 17.5 percent.  He should be a good option for the next few years, but I wouldn’t consider him to be one of the elite.
• Lance Berkman stays on the list, but just barely.  He’s already 34-years old and there have been rumblings have him considering retirement.  With not many years remaining, you don’t want to invest too heavily in him.
• Will Pablo Sandoval have 1B eligibility after 2010?  It’s tough to say.  He played 26 games at the position in 2009, but with Aubrey Huff signed and Travis Ishikawa in place as the backup, it’s unlikely he sees much time barring injury.  That concern drops him below Billy Butler.
• That’s a similar concern with Mark Reynolds, now that the Diamondbacks have Adam LaRoche to man 1B.  Take that into consideration when drafting him (though most people will value him as a 3B anyways).

What are your thoughts on these rankings?  Who would you rank differently?  Who was left off?

Make sure to order your copy of the Rotoprofessor 2010 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, selling for just $5, by clicking here .

Make sure to check out our 2010 yearly league rankings:

• Catchers
• First Basemen
• Second Basemen
• Third Basemen
• Shortstops
• Outfielders
• Designated Hitters
• Starting Pitchers
• Closers

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