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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 |
|
2 |
Paul Goldschmidt |
|
3 |
Edwin Encarnacion |
Blue Jays |
4 |
Jose Abreu |
White Sox |
5 |
Adrian Gonzalez |
|
6 |
Anthony Rizzo |
|
7 |
Victor Martinez |
Tigers |
8 |
David Ortiz |
Red Sox |
9 |
Buster Posey |
Giants |
10 |
Albert Pujols |
|
11 |
Todd Frazier |
|
12 |
Joey Votto |
Reds |
13 |
Freddie Freeman |
Braves |
14 |
Prince Fielder |
|
15 |
Adam LaRoche |
White Sox |
16 |
Mark Trumbo |
Diamondbacks |
17 |
Chris Davis |
|
18 |
Carlos Santana |
|
19 |
Lucas Duda |
|
20 |
Chris Carter |
|
21 |
Brandon Belt |
Giants |
22 |
Matt Adams |
|
23 |
Brandon Moss |
Indians |
24 |
Eric Hosmer |
|
25 |
Adam Lind |
Brewers |
26 |
Michael Cuddyer |
Mets |
27 |
Justin Morneau |
|
28 |
Ryan Howard |
|
29 |
Kendrys Morales |
Royals |
30 |
Billy Butler |
Fantasy Rundown
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