Those of you who are Platinum Subscribers for 2012 may have already looked at the composite staff rankings posted late last week. Because it is never too early and because my rankings are always visible either here or in industry “expert” drafts or at FantasyBaseballExaminer.com I thought I would start to take a look at the positions for next season as we view them in December. First let’s look back at how the top first basemen fared in 2011 versus pre-season rankings.
2011 First basemen – by mixed league, 5X5 value
- Miguel Cabrera, Detroit
- Adrian Gonzalez, Boston
- Albert Pujols, St. Louis
- Prince Fielder, Milwaukee
- Joey Votto, Cincinnati
- Mark Teixeira, NY Yankees
- Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox
- Ryan Howard, Philadelphia
- Eric Hosmer, Kansas City
- Mark Trumbo, LA Angels
While Hosmer was a great prospect, no one thought he would be up early enough in the season to be a Top Ten 1B for 2011 (although I did pay $7 for him in the AL LABR draft). Similarly Kendrys Morales was the LA Angels first baseman that fantasy players wanted to draft. Kevin Youkilis will show up as a third baseman, but where is Adam Dunn? Morales we know about.
So what does my early look at first base look like?
Well I don’t think it is far different than the composite but I did have some players ranked higher and some left on entirely – when we really have a clue about when Ryan Howard will be back I will try and estimate his at bats. Right now the estimates vary between April and May meaning he could easily miss the first third of the season.
My Top 12 First basemen
- Albert Pujols – no matter where he lands
- Miguel Cabrera
- Adrian Gonzalez
- Joey Votto
- Prince Fielder – his home park might vary this rank
- Mark Teixeira
- Eric Hosmer – should build on last year’s start
- Paul Konerko – father time permitting
- Michael Morse – unless you get one above and move him to the OF
- Paul Goldschmidt – power is real
- Lance Berkman – he qualifies here even if Pujols “moves him” back to RF
- Michael Cuddyer – this might change depending on where he plays
Remember Kevin Youkilis is only eligible at third base next season, and Billy Butler doesn’t have twenty games as required in the NFBC or many leagues to start 2012. Like Howard I won’t rank Kendrys Morales until we know whether he will be in the Angels opening day lineup.
The “next player up” should you remove Morse or Cuddyer would be Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman, who is certainly a “starter” in fifteen team mixed leagues.
Did I miss anyone?
We’ll look at third base and thus corner infielders next week.{jcomments on}