I think it is time to take a look at the updated rankings for each position, so let's start with the updated first base rankings. I wrote about Albert Pujols here awhile back and it appears that Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has quieted everyone's concerns about his right shoulder as he is second in the Mid-Season First Base Rankings.
Here are my pre-season First Base Rankings. If you're looking for more mid-season rankings, be sure to check out Fantasy Run Down, as they provide links to rankings from all over the net.
Note: these rankings are year-to-date, and not rankings from today forward.
1. Prince Fielder, MIL-Humbled Fan wrote an excellent piece on Fielder on Monday discussing how big of a contract he will get this offseason once he becomes a free agent. Fielder is having his "on" year this year, hitting .303-.416-.622 with 19 HRs, 58 RBIs and 39 runs scored. Teams looking to sign him this offseason may have to spend a good sum for his services.
2. Adrian Gonzalez, BOS-AGonz is hitting .342-.392-.584 with 13 HRs, 60 RBIs and 45 runs scored. His recent hot streak coincided with the Red Sox surge to first place in the AL East, and it is no coincidence. Thus far, he has been one of the best fantasy hitters in all of baseball.
More first base rankings after the jump:
3. Miguel Cabrera, DET-Miggy hasn't received much press but he is quietly having another excellent season at the plate. He is hitting .314-.441-.553 with 14 HRs, 45 RBIs and 48 runs scored. The concerns about his alcohol problems are a distant memory. He can still hit.
4. Joey Votto, CIN-Votto is having a bit of a down season power-wise, but overall, he is still a feared hitter. He is hitting .333-.460-.527 with 9 HRS, 42 RBIs, 47 runs scored and 6 SBs. He is striking out less and walking more this year than he did last year. If the Reds can find someone to hit behind him, we might see the 2010 version of Votto before the season is over. And if the Ryan Ludwick rumor happens, he isn't the answer either.
5. Albert Pujols, STL-Pujols has disappointed fantasy owners so far this season, as he is hitting "just" ,274-.348-.475 with 14 HRs, 40 RBIs, 46 runs and 5 stolen bases. I wrote about Pujols disappointing season here a few weeks ago, so I won't go into much detail.
6. Gaby Sanchez, FLA-Sanchez is following up his solid rookie season with a triple slash line of .312-.388-.508 with 11 HRs, 41 RBIs and 35 runs scored. He teams up with Hanley Ramirez and Mike Stanton to form a solid middle of the lineup for the Marlins.
7. Paul Konerko, CHW-Konerko is following up his terrific 2010 season with an excellent start to the 2011 season, as he is triple slashing .322-.390-.563 with 16 HRs, 52 RBIs and 32 runs scored. The White Sox have struggled early on this season, but Konerko has been one as consistent as they come.
8. Mark Teixeira, NYY-Teixeira usually has a slow start at the plate, and that has continued as he is hitting .250-.368-.534 with 19 HRs, 47 RBIs and 38 runs scored. His .225 BABIP says there are better days ahead for Teixeira in the BA category.
9. Adam Lind, TOR -Lind has bounced back from a disappointing 2010 season hitting .327-.364-.572 with 11 HRs, 37 RBIs and 27 runs scored in just 176 plate appearances. Can we see a repeat of his breakout 2009 season in 2011?
10. Ryan Howard, PHI-while Howard isn't hitting for average, he is still hitting for power and driving in runs. Thus far, Howard is hitting .247-.336-.474 with 13 HRs, 53 RBIs and 32 runs scored. Howard is hitting more fly balls, yet his HR/FB rate is down from 21% to 18% this year. Even still, the more fly balls he hits, the better, as some will get out of the ballpark, and that is the reason why you drafted him, right?
11. Mike Morse, WAS-I am not sure what to make of Morse over the past month or so, as ever since Adam Laroche was placed on the DL, he has made Nationals fans forget about the horrific start that Laroche had this season. Morse is hitting .300-.345-.517 with 10 HRs, 36 RBIs and 20 runs scored in less than 200 plate appearances. I am not sure he will keep this up, but he has hit better than I expected thus far.
12. Mets first baseman, NYM-Ike Davis was having a solid season before going down with an ankle injury, hitting .302-.383-.543 with 7 HRs, 25 RBIs and 20 runs scored. His replacement, Daniel Murphy, has been one of the hottest hitters in the NL of late, and is hitting .305-.362-.424 with 4 HRs, 21 RBIs, 25 runs and 4 SBs.
A couple guys missing from the Mid-Season Rankings who were on the Pre-Season Rankings are Adam Dunn, Kendrys Morales and Justin Morneau. Morales is out for the year with his second ankle surgery and Morneau has been dealing with several injuries and the loss of teammate Joe Mauer. Dunn has been a disaster all season, but has the chance to have an excellent second half hitting in U.S. Cellular Field.
The surprises in these rankings are Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez and the ranking of Albert Pujols.