2010 Top 20 Fantasy Baseball First Basemen
by Raymond Ayala

1. Albert Pujols (STL) – He continues to win MVP award after MVP award for a reason. Has never had a season in his career with less than 30 Homeruns and 100 RBI. We may never see a player like him ever again.

2. Prince Fielder (MIL) – He is the player you go to if you are looking for the most homeruns this season. While 50 is his career high for taters, I predict Fielder breaks that mark this season.

3. Ryan Howard (PHI) – Another young powerful first basemen in the prime of his career. Howard is a lock for monster Homerun and RBI numbers, but do remember he is a K-machine as well.

4. Mark Teixeira (NYY) – He is my early pick for AL MVP this season, and I think his stats continue to rise in the new Yankee Stadium.

5. Miguel Cabrera (DET) – He has a lot to prove, after a disappointing 2009 season (Yah 30 Homeruns and 103 RBI’s is disappointing). He will prove it, and then some. Look for Cabrera to have his first 40 Homerun season of his career this year.

6. Derrek Lee (CHC) – He wasn’t even healthy last season and he put up big homerun and RBI numbers. Now he is in a contract season. If he can improve his numbers, he is worth 15 million a year when he is a free agent in 2011.

7. Adrian Gonzalez (SDP) – Would be much higher on my list if only he didn’t play in Petco Park. Gonzalez should improve his RBI numbers next season, and similar to Howard, you can expect those Homeruns to be in the low 30’s. A trade to the Red Sox would move him to 4th best first basemen on my list.

8. Mark Reynolds (ARZ) – He has a lot of K’s, but his power and speed numbers are unmatched by any 1st basemen currently. Reynolds is a legit contender to go 30-30 this season, as well as strikeout two hundred times.

9. Victor Martinez (BOS) – Even though he is also a catcher, Martinez is also 1st base eligible in all leagues. If you draft him, make sure you wait awhile before you draft another 1st basemen. Victor Martinez might be one of the most valuable players in fantasy baseball during 2010.

10. Carlos Pena (TB) – Has to be considered one of the top first basemen ever since joining the Rays in 2007. Pena is another first basemen that is good for 40 homeruns and 100 RBI. Why am I so confident? Pena will be a free agent in 2011…cha-ching!

11. Justin Morneau (MIN) – Morneau struggled with injuries at times last season, but continues to be another 1st basemen who is a consistent 30-100 threat. If healthy Morneau could be in the hunt for his 2nd MVP award.

12. Kevin Youkilis (BOS) – Youk continues to be one of the Red Sox most hard working and consistent players. Not only could he hit 30-100 next year, but he could also have 100 runs this year as well.

13. Pablo Sandoval (SF) – There was only one player in the NL who had a higher batting average than Sandoval, and his name is Hanley Ramirez. With a better average than Pujols, don’t expect Kung-Fu Panda to repeat the performance next year, but his Homerun and RBI numbers should jump significantly.

14. Kendry Morales (LAA) – When the Angels decided not to resign Mark Teixeria, there was logical thinking behind it after all. Morales is a dangerous switch-hitter who will duplicate last seasons numbers easy.

15. Joey Votto (CIN) – He started off strong last season, before suffering from depression and taking a couple of weeks off. Now his mind should be clear, and he will make a run at the NL Home Run title, guaranteed. Expect Votto’s average to drop a bit, but his homeruns to increase by at least 10.

16. Adam Dunn (WAS) – Gotta love that new ballpark in Washington. Dunn also lowered his K-count from previous season. Dunn, once again, is in a contract year, so you have to expect another 30-100 season.

17. Lance Berkman (HOU) – Another player in a contract year, coming off of an injury. Berkman has never played baseball for a team outside of the state of Texas, so some teams may be skeptical, but if he can show flashes of his former self, he could easily hit the 30-100 mark.

18. Billy Butler (KC) – Showed the baseball world why he was a 1st round pick in 2004. Butler’s power potential has still yet to be tapped, and I expect him to make a run for 30 Homeruns this season. If only he played for another team other than the Royals.

19. David Ortiz (BOS) – That’s right I have three Boston first basemen in my top 20. Ortiz is going to bounce back this year, and even though he is mostly a DH, he still has 1st basemen eligibility. Bold Prediction: Ortiz has 35 Homeruns and 110 RBI’s this season.

20. Paul Konerko (CHW) – I put him in my top 20, not only because he will be a free agent at seasons end, but also because he continues to be a consistent threat for 30-100, but just never seems to get there. This season he gets there and some, so long as his teammates on the White Sox help him out.

Future Five to Watch
1. Justin Smoak (TEX)
2. Logan Morrison (FLA)
3. Chris Carter (OAK)
4. Yonder Alonso (CIN)
5. Brett Wallace (TOR)