Baseball - Position Rankings

First base is traditionally one of the deeper positions in fantasy baseball.  Having one of the elite options certainly can help, but fantasy owners that choose to wait a round or two in their drafts can feel confident they will still get a solid option.

Note: The number after each player’s name represents their age on Opening Day 2011.

Tier 1

Albert Pujols-31

Pujols is truly “The Machine”, and shows no major signs of slowing down.  If the Cardinals can’t get a contract extension worked out, he would become a free agent after the 2011 season. As if he needed extra motivation to have a big year, and the Cardinals’ offseason addition of Lance Berkman should also give him some added protection in the lineup. Pujols should be the #1 pick in most mixed league drafts again this year.

Miguel Cabrera-27

Cabrera drew a ton of intentional walks (32) in 2010, and he still had an MVP-caliber season.  He is still just 27 years old, and appears to have put any past off-field issues behind him now.  A worthy first-round pick, no doubt about it.

Adrian Gonzalez-28

The move to Boston and the much more hitter-friendly Fenway Park will certainly enhance Gonzalez’s fantasy prospects.  A better lineup around him will also help.  As long as he has no lingering effects from his offseason shoulder surgery, these projections could look fairly conservative when it’s all said and done.

Joey Votto-27-(Upside)

Votto had his much awaited breakout season last year, and there’s no reason to think he can’t continue to put up similar numbers for many years to come.  40 home runs is a possibility for 2011 if things break right for him.

Mark Teixeira-30

Teixeira had another fairly slow start in 2010, but in the end still got his typical numbers. The batting average drop is a concern, and likely driven by his struggles against right-handers (.247).  Expect a rebound there, as well as his typical HR and RBI totals in 2011.

Tier 2

Kevin Youkilis-32

Youkilis missed the rest of the 2010 season after undergoing thumb surgery in August, and was on his way to a banner year prior to the injury.  He will be eligible at first base obviously, but with the offseason acquisition of Adrian Gonzalez means he will gain eligibility at third base fairly early in the 2011 season.

Prince Fielder-26

Fielder had a disappointing 2010 after a big season in 2009, which was perhaps partially due to his struggles against left-handers (.226 average).  He seems to put up big numbers is odd-numbered seasons (50 HR in 2007), so 2011 could bring a nice rebound. Two words likely say it all for Fielder this year: contract year.

Justin Morneau-29 (Upside)

Morneau was on his way to a big season before suffering a concussion last July and missing the rest of the season. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training, and as long as that remains the case he should continue to be a productive player.

Adam Dunn-31

Dunn signed with the Chicago White Sox this offseason, so a move to a more hitter-friendly home park at US Cellular Field bodes well for him.  His should split at-bats at 1B and DH with Paul Konerko, but his struggles against left-handers (.199 in 2010) is concerning.  Still, Dunn is as consistent a power hitter as there is, at first base or any other position.

Ryan Howard-31 (Proceed With Caution)

Howard’s propensity to strikeout (157 last season) keeps his batting average down, and his power numbers notably declined last season after at least 45 home runs the previous four seasons. He was hampered by an ankle injury late last season, and recently said he is still not quite 100 percent.  There is some downside here, but 30 home runs and 100 RBI is not a bad baseline for his numbers as long as he’s healthy.

Paul Konerko-35 (Proceed With Caution)

Konerko had a big year in a contract year in 2010, which should not be overlooked heading into 2011.  Still, he should be fairly productive as long as he is able to stay healthy since he plays his home games at hitter-friendly US Cellular Field.  The offseason addition of Adam Dunn should help, as it will allow Konerko to DH on a fairly regular basis.

Kendry Morales-27 (Upside)

Morales’ 2010 season came to a bizarre end when he suffered a broken leg during a home plate celebration of a walk-off home run in late May.  He is expected to be ready for spring training, so a return to somewhere close to his 2009 production would not be surprising.

Derrek Lee-35 (Proceed With Caution)

Lee is advancing in age, and his back trouble is not going away.  He has signed with the Baltimore Orioles this offseason, and the refurbished lineup (3B Mark Reynolds, SS J.J. Hardy) there may help him be successful.  It all comes down to health for Lee as he gets older, and that’s what brings the downside.

Adam LaRoche-31

LaRoche signed with the Washington Nationals this offseason, which stands to hurt his overall numbers, but he has been remarkably consistent in recent years in terms of overall production.  That certainly has value for fantasy owners, even with limited upside.

Billy Butler-24 (Upside)

Butler set many career highs in 2010, most notably in batting average and on-base percentage. The drop in home runs from 2010 is a concern, but he did hit 45 doubles. More of those doubles could clear the fence this season, but playing in Kansas City still limits his potential somewhat.

Carlos Pena-32

Pena failed to hit 30 home runs for the first time in his four seasons with Tampa Bay and also set a career-low in batting average, which could be at least partially blamed on his low BABIP (.227).  He signed with the Chicago Cubs this offseason, so he should continue to supply home runs and RBI for fantasy owners.  Just be sure to have some other guys on your squad that can offset his poor batting average.

Aubrey Huff-34

Huff had a nice rebound campaign in his first season with the Giants.  2009 looks like just a down year, not the beginning of a decline for him. He re-signed with the Giants this offseason, and a season like 2010 looks likely.  There is just not a ton of upside.

Tier 3

Gaby Sanchez-27 (Upside)

Sanchez got his shot in 2010, and was fairly productive.  His power potential is for real, but he looks unlikely to start hitting for a high average at his age.  The possibility Logan Morrison could be moved from left field could mean some lost playing time.  Bid and draft cautiously, but there could be some upside here.

Ike Davis-24

Davis was called up from Triple-A early in the 2010 season, and should be in the big leagues to stay. If he can cut down on his strikeouts (138 with the Mets last season), his batting average should come up some in his second season.  A solid 2011 looks to be in the offing, but fantasy owners may have to wait until 2012 for him to start to reach his full potential.

James Loney-26

Despite not being a prolific home run hitter, Loney has been a productive RBI man over the last three seasons.  His batting average should rebound this season, but he is nothing more than a solid backup at this power-rich position.

Other Notables

Carlos Lee-34
Justin Smoak-24
Matt LaPorta-26
Brad Hawpe-31
Todd Helton-37
Troy Glaus-34
Dan Johnson-31
Daric Barton-25
Mitch Moreland-25

Young Guns To Watch

Brandon Allen-25
Freddie Freeman-21