TGIF: 2009 1B Rankings

By Pete Rampino in Fantasy, Featured ⋅ February 20, 2009 at 8:16am ⋅ Post a comment

First base has the honor of being one of the deeper positions in the game. With such a rich amount of great talent, it can be easy to wait on a 1B in your draft. Why not? There were 16 players who qualify at 1B who hit 25+ HR in 2008 so clearly power is not an issue for this position. However, I personally think at least four 1B will be gone after Round 1, so don’t think you can wait too long.

The best 1B for the 2009 season…

Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies
Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees
Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins
Lance Berkman, Houston Astros
Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers
Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego Padres
Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox
Garrett Atkins, Colorado Rockies
Derek Lee, Chicago Cubs
Adam Dunn, Washington Nationals
Chris Davis, Texas Rangers
Aubrey Huff, Baltimore Orioles
Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
Carlos Delgado, New York Mets
Carlos Pena, Tampa Bay Rays
Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians
Conor Jackson, Arizona Diamondbacks
Jorge Cantu, Florida Marlins
James Loney, L.A. Dodgers
Carlos Guillen, Detroit Tigers
Adam LaRoche, Pittsburgh Pirates
Jose Lopez, Seattle Mariners
Billy Butler, Kansas City Royals
Jason Giambi, Oakland A’s
Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants
Mike Jacobs, Kansas City Royals
Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox
Casey Blake, L.A. Dodgers

Hey, Don’t Forget…

Hank Blalock, Texas Rangers

Sure he is an injury risk, but considering he will probably drop to the last 5 rounds of your draft then he is easily worth the risk. If he can actually reach 100 games then he will earn his keep. Plus, he is slated to be the DH this season which limits the risk factor. If healthy, expect a cheap 25 HR.

Casey Kotchman, Atlanta Braves

Kotchman was always a solid hitter for the Angels. After being traded to Atlanta last season, he took a small dive. With the Braves, he hit only .237 with 2 HR. Maybe you could chalk it up to new surroundings and getting a feel for the NL. Don’t let the overall Atlanta #’s fool you, Kotchman had a great final month of the season with a .305 avg and 15 RBI. He’ll be fine in Atlanta.

Matt LaPorta, Cleveland Indians

The big prize in the CC Sabathia trade will start the season in the minors. His 2008 numbers in AA Huntsville were impressive (.288 avg, 22 HR) and being the big reason the Indians traded away a stud pitcher like Sabathia will make LaPorta an eagerly anticipated call up. LaPorta also plays in the outfield so he may get an early chance if Ben Francisco or Shin-Soo Choo falter or get injured.

Next Week: Second Basemen

Tags: Adrian Gonzalez, Albert Pujols, Fantasy, Garrett Atkins, Justin Morneau, Kevin Youkilis, Lance Berkman, Mark Teixeira, Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, TGIF

Discussion

5 comments for “TGIF: 2009 1B Rankings”

How is Morneau ahead or Berkman?

Berkman just had his best season ever and Carlos Lee is back to protect him in the lineup. He’ll be at least as good as Morneau this year, with the potential for better.

Besides those 2 switching, I like the list. Although some different position eligible guys here deserve some mention because they are a lot more valuable somewhere else

Posted by Jolly Old Saint Dick | February 23, 2009, 6:15 pm
I think Berkman’s best year was in 2006 (45 HRs, 136 RBIs) or 2002 (42 HRs, 128 RBIs).

Last year he had a good year…but a HORRIBLE second half (.259 avg, 7 HR, 33 RBI) when compared to his first half (.347 avg, 22 HR, 73 RBI). He wasn’t there for owners when it counted…

Posted by KC | February 25, 2009, 5:27 am
Morneau is younger and him and Mauer can do some serious damage.

Berkman is getting older and he really, really collpased in the 2nd half last season where he hit .259 after the break with only 7 HR. This included a memorable July when he hit ZERO home runs.

Berkman’s season numbers only look good because of a stellar 1st half when he hit .347 with 30 doubles, 79 runs, 22 HR and 73 RBI. If you want to pay for that kind of production again on draft day then go ahead.

We all know Morneau has that 30 HR potential and in 2 of the past 3 seasons he has driven in 129+ RBI. Not to mention that his plate patience is getting better as evident by his increasing walk totals from the past three seasons (53,64,76). He’ll be 28 this season which is in the midst of his prime.

Morneau has more upside and on a bit of a ridiculous prediction. I think Berkman, who has hinted at the fact that the majority of ballplayers use steroids, will be busted and we will find out that he has tested positive. So we will see a zap in power or a suspension. I also have a hunch that he will suffer an injury and go on the DL.

Crazy prediction? Yes! However, I have made crazier and they have come true. *cough* Corey Dillon *cough*.

Posted by Pete | February 25, 2009, 3:18 pm
*cough* Adrian Beltre *cough*

Posted by KC | February 25, 2009, 6:11 pm
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