Hyatt's Fantasy Baseball Guide: 1B

I'm still really bored, so why not do First Basemen while I'm at it.  This is where I make sure I have the power.  I could care less about SB here.  There are enough 4 category contributors here where you won't have to worry.  With the advent of leagues with UT positions, I like to have 2 good ones on my teams.  So here are the rankings:

Tier 1 (Rounds 1-6)

1. Albert Pujols- Despite him being a Cardinal, this is my favorite player to watch in Baseball.  His bat is electric, and he's definitely a top 3 player in Fantasy.

2. Ryan Howard- An otherworldly 2nd half solidified his stature as a late 1st-early 2nd rounder.  He's going to lead the league in Homers again, but don't expect a .300+ average.

3. Mark Teixeira- This guy is always huge in the 2nd half, so don't panic in the 1st half when he's average.  As a Yankee, he'll have opportunities to drive in and score a lot of runs.  It's sad that they don't give points for defense, because between him and Pujols, you'd be pretty solid from a low scoring position.  Personally, I don't like him since he's an asshole, as is his agent.

4. Miguel Cabrera- It's pretty impressive for a guy to hit 37 homers, drive in 127, and be considered a disappointment.  Don't worry too much, his average will bounce back, and he's worth that 2nd rounder you'll pay for him.  No word on his gut size this year.

5. Prince Fielder- CHUBSY!!!  The Giant Hamburger will challenge Howard for the home run title, and will have a higher average.  I just don't think it will be as high as cabrera to rank higher.

6. Lance Berkman- This guy is the best pick in the 3rd round every year.  He's just a slight notch below the rest of the guys here, but you'll still be championship caliber with him in there.  I prefer Fat Elvis to Big Puma when it comes to his nickname.

7. Adrian Gonzalez-  This is a guy I'm coveting this year.  Age 26 is where you make your biggest gains (HINT: I'm big on Rickie Weeks this year too) as a player, and this man already has 36 homers and 100 RBIs to build on.  As long as you are targeting this guy in the 4th, you can get some elite players in other positions in the first 3 rounds.  I'd expect him to be in the top 5 by the end of the year... if he can hit .300.

8. Justin Morneau- Homers were down, but everything else was elite 1B level.  I'd expect a bounce back over 30, but not over 35.

9. Kevin Youkilis- An extra homer a month would put him higher, but he's solid everywhere else.  The problem is no more Manny, and David Ortiz is aging fast.  Pedroia and Ellsbury are nice complements (meaning Youk will drive in some runs), but I don't think he's going to score as many as expected in years past.

Tier 2 (rounds 7-12)

10. Derek Lee- There's a pretty precipitous drop off from the top 9 to D-Lee.  He's been solid, but unspectacular.  Since breaking his wrist 2 and a half years ago, he hasn't been the same power threat.  He'll still score a lot of runs, and drive in some, but his lower power totals keep him as just a middle of the road guy.

11.  Joey Votto-  He's higher here than anywhere else, but his August and September were big enough to where I'd expect him to be 1st tier next year.  The only issue is that I'm not sure who is going to get on base in front of him to be driven in.  

12. Carlos Pena- Don't expect 07 numbers ever again, but he's solid enough for a UT spot in every league.  Low average, and won't score too many runs, but he'll give you the 30-100 you are looking for from your 1B position if you have waited this long.

13. Chris Davis-  The guy I think can rise the most this year, mostly because he'll get the most opportunities to do so.  Teams are going to pitch around Josh Hamilton to get to Davis all year long, which will give this kid's numbers an opportunity for a huge boost early on.  I'd say if anyone is going to be able to get you great numbers early and become solid trade bait to get you help in other areas, it;s going to be Davis. 

14. Jason Giambi- Remember how everyone thought Carlos Delgado, Aubrey Huff, and Mike Jacobs were dead weight last year, only for them to have decent seasons?  Giambi is my guy to do that this year, and you can get him later in the draft, but he's going to be solid talent this year for you.

15. Carlos Delgado- He'll be 36 on opening day, and I think last year was his last hurrah.  Don't make him you #1 guy, but he won't kill your team.

16. Conor Jackson- Average, RBIs, and about 10 steals for you, but not enough power to make him a viable starting option.

Tier 3 (Rounds 13-18)

17. Aubrey Huff- Great season last year, being a solid 1b.  Don't expect a repeat.  In fact, if he's on my team, I'm in trouble.

18 James Loney-  The average and RBIs will be there, but unless Manny gets back in the fold, don't expect many runs, and he's a liability for power at the 1B position.

19. Paul Konerko- Wasn't this guy supposed to be good in even years?  Could be age, could be just off a season.  Either way, i don't want him on my team.

20. Adam Laroche- A 2nd half all-star.  He's not going to put up his 06 numbers, but I like keeping him on the bench through May just to have his production after then, but I'm not picking him before the 17th. 

Here are some guys that are worth a late round flier:

Daric Barton, Kendry Morales, Ryan Garko, Matt LaPorta, Gaby Sanchez

And for you NL and AL only leagues, here are the top 10s

NL Only:

1. Pujols

2. Howard

3. Fielder

4. Berkman

5. Gonzalez

6. D. lee

7. Votto

8. Delgado

9. Jackson

10. Loney

AL Only:

1. Teixeira

2. Cabrera

3. Morneau

4. Youkilis

5. Pena

6. C. Davis

7. Giambi (if he signs with the A's)

8. Huff

9. Konerko

10. Mike Jacobs

I'd love to hear what you think, but if you want to be critical of these rankings, then take the time to make your own, dick.