First Base - 2010 Preview

The Marina Trench, The Federal Deficit. The Grand Canyon. Paris Hilton’s … bank account. Like all of these examples, first base is quite deep this year. While you will be tempted to fill a shallow position and put off 1B until the next round, don’t look past some of the upper tier players available in Rounds 1 and 2.

First Tier

Albert Pujols – Cardinals.

Pujols is in a league of his own, except with him you don’t have to worry about Rosie O’Donnell. Zing!

In my humble opinion, Pujols and H-Ram are your only two viable options for the #1 pick. In my mock drafts, I have alternated taking St. Albert and Hanley at the #1 spot, but in the end, my teams appear stronger with Pujols.

Second Tier

Prince Fielder, Mark Teixeria, Ryan Howard, Miguel Cabrera

These guys are going later the first and early in the second, depending on the number of teams. I was big on Fielder (no pun intended) last season, and he rebounded nicely last year with .299/46/141. I am not sure about 141 RBIs again, but he should help you with R, HR and RBIs.

Last season, Teixeira started slow (.200/3/10) and continued to have a difficult last name to spell. However, he finished strong (.292/39/122), and most importantly, did not let the NY media mess with his head. I do not anticipate a decline.

I was worried about Ryan Howard last season, especially with the absence of Pat Burrell, but he put up his usual numbers (.279/45/141). He still strikes out way too much (186 Ks), but it should not be an issue as long as your league does not penalize Ks.

Miguel Cabrera finished the year with a bang and then spent the off-season drying out in rehab. It is hard to believe that Cabrera is only 27 years old. Don’t be scared off by the way his season ended. If you have a late first round pick, he is a great pick up.

The rest of my Top Ten

Justin Morneau, Adrian Gonzalez, Kevin Youkilis, Adam Dunn, Joey Votto

Dunn is a poor man’s Ryan Howard. A mere two HRs ended Dunn’s streak of 40 or more HRs lasting from 2004. Votto’s post-All Star line was .300/11/42 with a .399 OBP. Expect a big year from him.

But what about …

Kendry Morales - LA Angels - Votto just edged out Morales for my 10^th spot. He still has the risk of taking sophomore slump, but his strong 2^nd half (.330/19/59) indicates a solid 2010.

Mark Reynolds – D’backs – Reynolds had an incredible season .260/44/102 with 24 SBs while breaking his own dubious MLB record with 223 Ks. Reynolds makes Rob Deer look like Tony Gwynn, except that Deer did not rock a Jheri curl until 1998. With the risk of a decline, I would choose a solid vet at 1B and consider Reynolds at 3B, where talent is thin this year.

Victor Martinez and Pablo Sandoval – While Martinez should have a great year, he is better utilized at catcher. Accordingly, I don’t like Sandoval as much as a 1B as I do at 3B. Also, don’t draft Sandoval with the hope that we will return to catcher, as the Giant’s signing of Bengie Molina put an end to that possibility.

10 First Half Surprise Achievers (Hitters)

"...and proud we are of all of them."

Josh Hamilton – OF – Texas Rangers – .308 BA, 19 HR, 82 RBI – A lot of people thought Hamilton would have a nice year, but did anyone really predict this?

Nate McLouth – OF – Pittsburgh Pirates – .281 BA, 15 HR, 53 RBI, 60 R, 9 SB– On pace for 30 HR, 100 RBI and 20 SB. Pretty good for a guy that wasn't even drafted in any of my leagues.

Adrian Gonzalez – 1B – San Diego Padres – .288 BA, 21 HR, 68 RBI– These are some awesome power numbers to be putting up at Petco.

Carlos Quentin – OF – Chicago White Sox – .280 BA, 19 HR, 61 RBI– A move from the D-backs to the White Sox has apparently sparked Quentin to deliver on his 1st round draft pick promise.

Ryan Ludwick – OF – St. Louis Cardinals – .288 BA, 16 HR, 56 RBI, 52 R, 4 SB – What does LaRussa have these outfielders drinking? Wait, don't answer that.

Pat Burrell – OF – Philadelphia Phillies – .275 BA, 15 HR, 52 RBI – He's cooled off a bit, but fantasy owners have to be pleasantly surprised with his production in the first half.

Marcus Thames – 1b/OF – Detroit Tigers – .276 BA, 16 HR, 35 RBI – In 55 games, he already has as many HRs as Prince Fielder, Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira. That's value, folks.

Jason Giambi – 1b/DH – New York Yankees – .268 BA, 18 HR, 52 RBI – Was it the gold thong or the stache that rekindled Giambi's bat? Let the debate rage on.

Milton Bradley – OF – Texas Rangers – .320 BA, 17 HR, 51 RBI, 51 R – Bradley is having a career year in Texas.

J.D. Drew – OF – Boston Red Sox – .302 BA, 16 HR, 51 RBI, 59 R – Shop him while he's hot.