There were already concerns regarding Mark Teixeira and his ability to produce (thanks to a consistently low average), keeping him lower than normal on the rankings. Of course, the news that he will be out 8-10 weeks completely sends him plummeting out of the Top 15. Let’s take a look at how things currently stand at the deepest position:
1. Joey Votto – Cincinnati Reds
2. Albert Pujols – Los Angeles Angels
3. Prince Fielder – Detroit Tigers
4. Billy Butler – Kansas City Royals
5. Adrian Gonzalez – Los Angeles Dodgers
6. Buster Posey – San Francisco Giants
7. Paul Goldschmidt – Arizona Diamondbacks
8. Anthony Rizzo – Chicago Cubs
9. Freddie Freeman – Atlanta Braves
10. Edwin Encarnacion – Toronto Blue Jays
11. Carlos Santana – Cleveland Indians
12. Allen Craig – St. Louis Cardinals
13. Joe Mauer – Minnesota Twins
14. Ike Davis – New York Mets
15. Eric Hosmer – Kansas City Royals
Thoughts:
- Obviously, while Posey, Santana and Mauer hold significantly more value as catchers then they do as first basemen. They are eligible though, therefore they are included on the rankings. Just keep in mind that you would be much better suited not targeting them here.
- Which first baseman offer a little bit of speed? While it’s not something we generally take into consideration it is also not something you want to overlook. If you can get 10-15 SB, while also adding the power you need from the position, your overall team looks that much stronger (take Paul Goldschmidt, for instance). Click here to take a look at those who are first base eligible that have 10+ SB potential.
- There is a clear new class of first baseman coming, and any of them could emerge as a Top 5 option as soon as 2013. While Goldschmidt appears to bring the entire package to the table, don’t underestimate the upside of Anthony Rizzo or Freddie Freeman.
- Is Edwin Encarnacion going to be able to maintain the power he has been showing off? It’s not impossible, though it could come at a cost. His average is closely tied to his home run total, given his lower line drive rate (17.6%) and inflated fly ball rate (49.5%). If the power falters, the bottom is going to fall out of his average as well. To read more about why I’d be skeptical (as well as why Allen Craig and Ryan Howard are also being overdrafted), click here.
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Make sure to check out our 2013 rankings (all of which will be updated in the next few weeks):
- Catchers (updated 02/18/13)
- Second Basemen (updated 01/22/13)
- Third Basemen (updated 01/29/13)
- Shortstops (updated 03/04/13)
- Outfielders 1-20 (updated 02/25/13) | 21-40 (updated 02/26/13)
- Starting Pitchers 1-20 (updated 03/07/13) | 21-40 (updated 02/14/13)
- Relief Pitchers (updated 01/31/13)
In an OBP league, how would you rank the following first basemen: Ike Davis, Paul Konerko, Nick Swisher, Adam Dunn, Adam LaRoche?
How big is the gap between Votto and Pujols, specifically in a keeper league?
rizzo shouldnt be ahead of freeman or encarnacion
Craig ranked behind Rizzo and Santana is a joke
foolintherain – At a quick glance, I would go:
1) Ike Davis
2) Paul Konerko
3) Nick Swisher
4) Adam Dunn
5) Adam LaRoche
Marky Mark – Depends on the keeper rules, bt Votto would be the clear top choice.
carlito – I may be a bigger believer in Rizzo then most. Encarnacion, as I have said numerous times, gives me big reason for concern. As or Freeman, the difference is razor thin. I am a big fan of both players and could really see it going either way.
The rules are that we keep players forever. That’s pretty much it.
Another thing — What’s the chances of Butler ending up as a top 3 1B this year, with one of the Votto/Pujols/Fielder group having a down year for whatever reason?
Jay – I’ve discussed Craig, but part of the major problem is his njury risk. He’s never proven that he can stay on the field for an entire season (he’s never even had 500+ AB in a season). I’m a huge fan of Craig’s, but unless he can stay healthy he’s going to be a major risk.