Albert Pujols King of the Hill in NESN.com’s Fantasy First-Base Rankings

Boppers abound at first base, from perennial NL MVP Albert Pujols atop the draft board to Rays masher Carlos Pena, who?s likely to be available eight rounds later.

With so many potential 30-plus-homer hitters available at the position, missing out on the top tier won?t spell doom for your team.

But to avoid falling into the trap of a declining veteran, check out NESN?s projected rankings of the first basemen for 2010.

See position-by-position rankings here: C
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300

Name	Team	2009 Stats	2010 Projection	Notes
Albert Pujols	Cardinals	.327 AVG, 47 HR, 135 RBI, 124 R, 16 SB	.323 AVG, 45 HR, 138 RBI, 125 R, 14 SB	Pujols is the unquestioned MVP of both the NL and of fantasy baseball.
Prince Fielder	Brewers	.299 AVG, 46 HR, 141 RBI, 103 R, 2 SB	.296 AVG, 50 HR, 147 RBI, 109 R, 1 SB	Hit 50 home runs during second full season and has potential to reach that plateau again.
Miguel Cabrera	Tigers	.324 AVG, 34 HR, 103 RBI, 96 R, 6 SB	.321 AVG, 37 HR, 109 RBI, 93 R, 4 SB	An MVP candidate in the AL if the Tigers take back the Central from the Twins.
Mark Teixeira	Yankees	.292 AVG, 39 HR, 122 RBI, 103 R, 2 SB	.297 AVG, 36 HR, 121 RBI, 100 R, 2 SB	There are few cushier spots than hitting in front of A-Rod in the Yankees order.
Ryan Howard	Phillies	.279 AVG, 45 HR, 141 RBI, 105 R, 8 SB	.268 AVG, 43 HR, 138 RBI, 101 R, 6 SB	An elite power threat, but his struggles against lefties (2009: .207 average, six homers) nibble into his overall numbers.
Adrian Gonzalez	Padres	.277 AVG, 40 HR, 99 RBI, 90 R, 1 SB	.283 AVG, 44 HR, 106 RBI, 91 R, 0 SB	Hard to imagine what he could do outside of PETCO Park, and midseason trade is possible.
Joey Votto	Reds	.322 AVG, 25 HR, 84 RBI, 82 R, 4 SB	.317 AVG, 29 HR, 90 RBI, 84 R, 9 SB	Supporting cast is questionable, but Votto proved last year that he's the real deal.
Kevin Youkilis	Red Sox	.305 AVG, 27 HR, 94 RBI, 99 R, 7 SB	.298 AVG, 26 HR, 98 RBI, 92 R, 5 SB	More valuable in real life due to on-base percentage and defense, but a steady contributor in solid Boston lineup.
Justin Morneau	Twins	.274 AVG, 30 HR, 100 RBI, 85 R, 0 SB	.281 AVG, 33 HR, 106 RBI, 81 R, 1 SB	Dimensions of Target Field should be slightly friendlier to Twins hitters than Metrodome was.
Adam Dunn	Nationals	.267 AVG, 38 HR, 105 RBI, 81 R, 0 SB	.259 AVG, 41 HR, 108 RBI, 79 R, 0 SB	If you can live with the low batting average, Dunn provides excellent power value for a non-top 40 pick.
Kendry Morales	Angels	.306 AVG, 34 HR, 108 RBI, 86 R, 3 SB	.298 AVG, 29 HR, 101 RBI, 82 R, 2 SB	Hit .330 with 19 homers in 267 at-bats after All-Star Break, and is fully capable of matching those numbers.
Derrek Lee	Cubs	.306 AVG, 35 HR, 111 RBI, 91 R, 1 SB	.297 AVG, 29 HR, 96 RBI, 90 R, 0 SB	Shows signs of decline in first half, but tends to erupt by summertime.
Billy Butler	Royals	.301 AVG, 21 HR, 93 RBI, 78 R, 1 SB	.308 AVG, 27 HR, 94 RBI, 81 R, 2 SB	His 51 doubles last season indicate untapped power potential. Did I mention he won't yet be 24 on Opening Day?
Lance Berkman	Astros	.274 AVG, 25 HR, 80 RBI, 73 R, 7 SB	.275 AVG, 26 HR, 86 RBI, 88 R, 6 SB	Astros project to field weak lineup, but Berkman is one of few remaining locks for 25 homers and respectable average.
Carlos Pena	Rays	.227 AVG, 39 HR, 100 RBI, 91 R, 3 SB	.247 AVG, 39 HR, 101 RBI, 90 R, 1 SB	A poor man's Adam Dunn, but the Rays lineup around him boosts RBI and run-scoring opportunities.
Adam LaRoche	Diamondbacks	.277 AVG, 25 HR, 83 RBI, 78 R, 2 SB	.286 AVG, 30 HR, 90 RBI, 73 R, 1 SB	Notoriously slow starter, but hitters' park could help him reach 30 homers for first time since 2006.
Todd Helton	Rockies	.325 AVG, 15 HR, 86 RBI, 79 R, 0 SB	.317 AVG, 15 HR, 69 RBI, 72 R, 0 SB	Won't help much in the power department, but is the only first baseman left who is a lock for an average well over .300.
James Loney	Dodgers	.281 AVG, 13 HR, 90 RBI, 73 R, 7 SB	.305 AVG, 16 HR, 86 RBI, 70 R, 7 SB	Loads of RBI opportunities batting behind meaty part of Dodgers order, but has not tapped into power potential.
Chris Davis	Rangers	.238 AVG, 21 HR, 59 RBI, 48 R, 0 SB	.259 AVG, 29 HR, 94 RBI, 76 R, 3 SB	An even poorer man's Carlos Pena, though Davis could blossom into a power stud in the Mark Reynolds mold.
Paul Konerko	White Sox	.277 AVG, 28 HR, 88 RBI, 75 R, 1 SB	.271 AVG, 27 HR, 83 RBI, 72 R, 0 SB	Steady contributor who won't wow in any department but is a lock for 25 home runs if healthy.
Nick Johnson	Yankees	.291 AVG, 8 HR, 62 RBI, 71 R, 2 SB	.286 AVG, 17 HR, 66 RBI, 86 R, 2 SB	Value comes mostly from batting second in Yankees lineup, where Johnson's on-base percentage makes run-scoring chances plentiful.
Russell Branyan	Indians	.251 AVG, 31 HR, 76 RBI, 64 R, 2 SB	.244 AVG, 26 HR, 63 RBI, 66 R, 4 SB	Regressed significantly after huge first half, but should hit 25 homers if healthy and playing full time.
Troy Glaus	Braves	.172 AVG, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 0 SB	.255 AVG, 20 HR, 67 RBI, 53 R, 0 SB	Has impressed in spring training after injury-marred 2009, and will gain first-base eligibility in mid-April.
Aubrey Huff	Giants	.241 AVG, 15 HR, 85 RBI, 59 R, 0 SB	.266 AVG, 17 HR, 69 RBI, 53 R, 0 SB	Should revive average after brutal stint with Tigers, but power is vastly diminished.
Daric Barton	Athletics	.269 AVG, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 31 R, 0 SB	.278 AVG, 14 HR, 58 RBI, 60 R, 1 SB	One-time top prospect has been breakout candidate for years.