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
| 1B
| 2B
| 3B
| SS
| OF
| SP
| RP
| Top
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. |