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Fantasy Baseball 2014: Early Top 20 First Base Rankings

Ray publishes his early top 20 fantasy first baseman for 2014. Check out where he ranks Jose Abreu, Albert Pujols, Paul Goldschmidt and others.

By Ray Guilfoyle
Denis Poroy

Today, I continue my early 2014 position rankings, and I give you my take on the top 20 fantasy first baseman for 2014. I will publish my top 20 at each position, although I have gone 30 deep at each position, and 50 deep for the outfielders and starting pitchers. I will not offer much in comments here, as I will save them for our 2014 Consensus Position Rankings that will publish beginning in January.

Let's take a look at my early top 20 fantasy first baseman for 2014:

Rank

Name

Team

1

Paul Goldschmidt

Diamondbacks

2

Chris Davis

Orioles

3

Edwin Encarnacion

Blue Jays

4

Prince Fielder

Tigers

5

Joey Votto

Reds

6

Eric Hosmer

Royals

7

Freddie Freeman

Braves

8

Adrian Gonzalez

Dodgers

9

Allen Craig

Cardinals

10

Albert Pujols

Angels

11

Michael Cuddyer

Rockies

12

Carlos Santana

Indians

13

Mark Teixeira

Yankees

14

Anthony Rizzo

Cubs

15

Mark Trumbo

Angels

16

Brandon Belt

Giants

17

Jose Abreu

White Sox

18

Matt Adams

Cardinals

19

Brandon Moss

Athletics

20

Kendrys Morales

Mariners

Paul Goldschmidt

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt had a terrific season in 2013, leading the National League in RBI and tied for the lead in home runs with Pedro Alvarez. He chipped in with double digit stolen bases, and ranked in the top three in the National League in runs, walks, slugging percentage and OPS, in addition to HR and RBI. He was recently picked #3 overall in an early mock draft I am participating in with several Fake Teams writers and guys from Fantasy Assembly. He is a first round pick in 2014, and should be picked in the top 5-6 in most drafts.

Chris Davis

Davis had a huge season in 2013, but I wonder if we will look back at it as his career year. More than likely it was his career year as it is not easy to hit 50+ home runs two seasons in a row, let alone in one season. I can see Davis approaching 40 home runs in 2014, but baseball has a way of making adjustments on you, so owners should not expect more than 35 home runs next season.

Jose Abreu

Our own Andrew Ball wrote this piece on Abreu yesterday, with a range of outcomes from a back up to an all star in his Three True Outcomes piece. I have a feeling Abreu will surprise many in 2014 before pitchers catch up to him. I recommend reading Andrew's piece to gain some perspective on him.

Freddie Freeman/Eric Hosmer

I like Hosmer ahead of Freeman in 2014, but Freeman had the better season in 2013. Freeman is coming off his best season as a big leaguer, as he hit .319 with 23 HRs and 109 RBI, but benefitted from an elevated BABIP of .371 in 2013, so if I had to guess, that will come down in 2014. Hosmer's .335 BABIP was closer to his career BABIP, so we shouldn't see as much regression in his performance vs Freeman.

Matt Adams

Adams has the power to have a breakout season in 2014, assuming he is handed the starting first base job in St. Louis, which i think he will. I don't see the Cardinals signing Carlos Beltran to a 2-3 year deal with Allen Craig able to play right field and Oscar Taveras a few months from being major league ready. Adams has big time power, and has the potential to hit 30+ home runs as soon as next season.

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