Fantasy Baseball: Top 15 First Basemen for 2011

With Kendrys Morales still struggling to return to the field, you have to wonder what to expect from him in 2011. Will he come back in April? Will it not be until May? Even once he returns, how many games per week will he be able to play?

So many questions, so few answers at this point. I have reduced my projection for him down to 475 AB for the upcoming season, clearly dropping him down the rankings. Let’s take a look at how far:

Albert Pujols – St. Louis Cardinals
Miguel Cabrera – Detroit Tigers
Joey Votto – Cincinnati Reds
Adrian Gonzalez – Boston Red Sox
Mark Teixeira – New York Yankees
Prince Fielder – Milwaukee Brewers
Ryan Howard – Philadelphia Phillies
Kevin Youkilis – Boston Red Sox
Justin Morneau – Minnesota Twins
Adam Dunn – Chicago White Sox
Billy Butler – Kansas City Royals
Kendrys Morales – Los Angeles Angels
Paul Konerko – Chicago White Sox
Victor Martinez – Detroit Tigers
Buster Posey – San Francisco Giants

Thoughts:

Word is that Justin Morneau is no longer feeling the effects of the concussion that sidelined him in 2010, which clearly is great news. I would still proceed with a bit of caution, but he’s a solid option for the upcoming season.
Obviously, when Morales is able to return to the diamond is going to play a major effect on his ranking here. If he were healthy, would he be a better option than Billy Butler? Well, obviously, but 600 AB of Butler is a lot more attractive than potentially fewer than 500 AB of Morales.
Obviously no one is drafting Victor Martinez or Buster Posey to be their starting first baseman. Still, their bats certainly do translate well.
Can Paul Konerko replicate his renaissance 2010 campaign? Clearly, I have my doubts. I’d much rather draft him to be my corner infielder, as opposed to my starting first baseman.
Is anyone still worried about Miguel Cabrera? At this point in the spring, he’s hitting .288 with 3 HR and 12 RBI in 59 AB. In other words, seems like the same old Cabrera to me.

What are your thoughts on these rankings? Who’s too high? Who’s too low?

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