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Fantasy Baseball Rankings 2015: Top 30 First Baseman

Ray updates his first base rankings for 2015, highlighting some changes in his rankings as a result of all the wheeling and dealing this offseason.

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, I published my updated Top 100 Starting Pitcher Rankings 2015, and today I publish my updated first base rankings.

Is it me or is the first base position deeper than in most years? I have to say I wouldn't mind waiting till late in my drafts to select a first baseman, as guys like Lucas Duda and Chris Carter can offer you power if you can take on the lower batting average.

Miguel Cabrera sits at the #1 spot in my rankings, but I could see any one of the next five or six taking over the top spot in 2015, as I have some concerns about Miggy's health going forward. It may be nothing, but it seemed the injuries started catching up to him last season, and he had his worst power year in quite awhile.

Here's a look at some of the guys who have moved up/down in my rankings:

Buster Posey, Giants

For some reason, I am really high on Posey this offseason, so this might be the time to deal him if you own him in your keeper leagues. Not many hitters hit 20 home runs and drive in 80 runs anymore. They are the new 30-90 hitters. Add a .300+ batting average and the list of those 20-80 hitters decreases significantly. See where I am going with this? I moved Posey up to my #9 fantasy first baseman for 2015, and if he adds a little power to his game, he could be a top 5 choice. Manager Bruce Bochy will continue to give Posey plenty of starts at first base next season, and that is a good thing.

Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers

I didn't rank Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy in my rankings below as he played just 19 games at first base last season, missing the cutoff by one game. That will change in 2015, as Brewers manager Ron Roenicke has already stated that Lucroy will see more starts at first base than he did in 2014, so Lucroy will add first base eligibility, and maybe a boost in power in 2015.

Freddie Freeman, Braves

The Braves have traded away two of their best hitters this offseason, Jason Heyward and Justin Upton, as they are beginning an all out rebuild, so Freeman drops to #13 in my rankings. He is a great hitter, but I can see his runs and RBI dropping in 2015, as the Braves lineup was already one of the worst in baseball in runs scored and are now without two of their best hitters.

Adam LaRoche, White Sox

I like the move to Chicago for LaRoche as he will play some first base and DH, so we should see another 25 home run, 85 RBI season from him in 2015.

Mark Trumbo/Chris Davis

Here are two guys who will get little love on draft day, but should have bounce back seasons after disappointing fantasy owners in 2014. Both have the chance to hit 30+ home runs in 2015, and how many hitters can you say that about? Sure, they won't hit for a high batting average, but the power is valuable in the low power environment we now live in.

Ryan Howard, Phillies

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has come to his senses and has been quoted in the media saying that the Phillies are a better team WITHOUT Howard on the team. That doesn't bode well for Howard, but unless he is traded, do we really think the Phillies will waive him? I doubt it, but it could mean less at bats for him and more at bats for Darin Ruf and Maikel Franco in 2015. If so, Howard will drop out of my Top 30 rankings.

Michael Cuddyer/Lucas Duda, Mets

Cuddyer signed a two year deal with the Mets to play outfield and possibly platoon with Lucas Duda, so both drop in my rankings. Cuddyer drops as he moves out of Coors Field to Citi Field, so his numbers should drop across the board. If Cuddyer does platoon with Duda, Duda will lose at bats, so his power numbers could drop as a result. We will learn more as we get closer to spring training.

Now let's take a look at my updated First Base Rankings for 2015:

Rank

Name

Team

1

Miguel Cabrera

Tigers

2

Paul Goldschmidt

Diamondbacks

3

Edwin Encarnacion

Blue Jays

4

Jose Abreu

White Sox

5

Adrian Gonzalez

Dodgers

6

Anthony Rizzo

Cubs

7

Victor Martinez

Tigers

8

David Ortiz

Red Sox

9

Buster Posey

Giants

10

Albert Pujols

Angels

11

Todd Frazier

Reds

12

Joey Votto

Reds

13

Freddie Freeman

Braves

14

Prince Fielder

Rangers

15

Adam LaRoche

White Sox

16

Mark Trumbo

Diamondbacks

17

Chris Davis

Orioles

18

Carlos Santana

Indians

19

Lucas Duda

Mets

20

Chris Carter

Astros

21

Brandon Belt

Giants

22

Matt Adams

Cardinals

23

Brandon Moss

Indians

24

Eric Hosmer

Royals

25

Adam Lind

Brewers

26

Michael Cuddyer

Mets

27

Justin Morneau

Rockies

28

Ryan Howard

Phillies

29

Kendrys Morales

Royals

30

Billy Butler

Athletics


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