MLB Fantasy Baseball: Updated 2011 Top 15 Fantasy First Basemen Rankings
Here’s an updated look at the 2011 First Base rankings.
1. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
Turned in another fabulous season, hitting .312 with 115 runs, 183 hits, 42 HRs, 118 RBIs, 14 SBs, 103 walks, and a 1.011 OPS. He truly is a machine and should be the number-one player taken in fantasy drafts.
2. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
Potential realized. Votto went from a guy known in fantasy circles to a guy who edged the great Pujols in MVP voting. Votto hit .324 with 106 runs, 177 hits, 37 HRs, 113 RBIs, 16 SBs, 81 walks, and a 1.024 OPS.
3. Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox
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A-Gone averaged 34.3 HRs and 104.8 RBIs in his past four seasons with the Padres. Now he goes to more of a hitter’s park with a lineup that includes Carl Crawford, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury and Kevin Youkilis. Get your popcorn ready Sox fans.
4. Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees
Tex struggled by his standards, hitting only .256 in 2010. He still managed to score 113 runs with 33 HRs and 108 RBIs. He’s too good to continue to struggle, so look for a return to form in 2011.
5. Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies
Speaking of regression, Howard saw his runs scored (-18), HRs (-14), and RBIs (-33) take major hits in 2010. He averaged 49.5 HRs and 143 RBIs in his previous four seasons, so I’m not expecting his regression to continue at just 31 years of age.
6. Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers
Another bopper who struggled to get on track. His 141 RBIs in 2009 seems like a fluke, but he’s a good bet for 35 HRs and 100-plus RBIs.
7. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
If Cabrera can get his head on straight again, he can shoot up the rankings, but his latest arrest really concerns me. The man has to take of himself before he worries about baseball.
8. Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox
Youk’s problem isn’t performing, it’s staying healthy. He was limited to 102 games last year. In fact, his career high in games played is 147, so you’re taking a little bit of a risk drafting him, especially considering he’s returning to the hot corner. Still, in that lineup he’s good for .300-plus, 90-plus runs, 25-plus HRs, and 90-plus RBIs, and those are low estimates.
9. Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins
Speaking of staying healthy, Morneau had an MVP-caliber season going before being lost midseason with a concussion. He hit .345, scored 53 runs with 18 HRs and had 56 RBIs in 81 games. He’s also a considerable risk because the next concussion could end not only his season, but his career. He does, however, come with substantial reward potential.
10. Adam Dunn, Chicago White Sox
Dunn isn’t a sexy pick, but has averaged 40.3 HRs and 101.3 RBIs in his past seven seasons. It’s his first time playing for an American League team and is a career .250 hitter, so there is a little concern.
11. Kendry Morales, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Hopefully for Morales the freak accidents are behind him. Rolling with Kendry as your No. 1 will also be a leap of faith considering he only had 51 games to prove his 2009 breakout season wasn’t a fluke.
12. Billy Butler, Kansas City Royals
Butler saw his HRs (-6) and RBIs (-15) dip in 2010, but he hit a career high .318. I expect the power to return, while maintaining a .310-plus season.
13. Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers
Let’s face it, you’re drafting V-Mart as a catcher. He won’t see may games at first base because of Cabrera, but should see his named penciled in the lineup card as the DH from time to time. If he can stay healthy, you’re looking at a .300, 20-HR, 100-RBI season.
14. Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox
Konerko displayed his usual penchant for the long ball with 39 HRs and 111 RBIs last year, but added a new facet to his game by hitting .312. Considering he’ll be 35 this year, I’m hesitant to believe he can match the power numbers. I certainly think the average will fall back toward his career mark of .280.
15. Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
Like V-Mart, 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 RBIs as a rookie. Assuming he can avoid the sophomore slump, he should be in line for 20-plus HRs and 75-plus RBIs.
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