Staff Post: First basemen to target in 2020

Raise your hand if you can’t believe it’s already Friday [Heath raises hand]. Always a good feeling. Per our positional week tradition, we’ll begin today with targets and avoids. The week is not over, though. Yours truly is releasing the previously promised and much anticipated Pete Alonso vs. Matt Olson extravaganza later today. You’ll just have to hold your horses on that one.

For now, let’s dig into our favorite targets at the first base position.

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Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox (Heath Capps)

NFBC ADP: 77

While I love Matt Olson in 2020, his ADP of 63 is fairly steep comparatively, and when drafts are more live I think it will only rise. Abreu represents the last of the elite options, and he’s a reliable .275+ BA, 30-homer guy in a stacked lineup. Last year, Abreu managed 123 RBIs, second to only Anthony Rendon (126). This year, the Sox have added Yasmani Grandal, Edwin Encarnacion, Nomar Mazara, and Luis Robert. They’ll also enjoy a full season’s worth of at-bats from Eloy Jimenez. Abreu will bat third in this monstrosity of an offense. Counting stats should be obscene to go with his already excellent floor.

Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

Trey Mancini, Baltimore Orioles (Garrett Atkins)

NFBC ADP: 102

I’m doubling down on a player I recommend as a target last year. Mancini was stellar in 2019 with a .291 average, .899 OPS, 35 HR, 97 RBI, and 106 R. His breakout flew under the radar of many since he was doing it for a team that lost 108 games. Underlying stats say Mancini’s breakout was legit. Those stats include a .511 xSLG and a .364 xwOBA, both of which were top 50 in the league. Not bad for a player with a current ADP outside the top 100.

Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images

Edwin Encarnacion, White Sox (Jonathan Butler)

NFBC ADP: 172

Over the past month, Encarnacion is still going as the 173rd pick off the board. He may be 37, but he is as consistent as they come. Over the past eight years, he has hit at least 30 home runs. While the batting average may not be as high as it used to, I can sustain batting average before nabbing Edwin on what should be a very talented White Sox offense.

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Luke Voit, New York Yankees (Mark Abell)

NFBC ADP: 198

Luke Voit: through two thirds of a season he had 21 HR, 72 runs, and 62 RBI. This is a player that should be starting on a squad alongside Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres, Gary Sanchez, and D.J. LeMahieu. Needless to say, if Voit can handle his own (which he has shown he can) there will be no shortage of batters on base or hitters around him to help build his numbers.

So, a pair of White Sox make the list. No surprise given the offseason that squad has enjoyed. Be sure to roll back around in a bit to see who we are avoiding!