Fantasy Sports: For starters, look first at first

By Stu Rosenberg
srosenberg@modbee.com

E-Mail

Comments (0)

Text Size:

tool goes here

Who's on first? Something for everybody.

Whether you pounce on one in the first round or get around to them in Round 22, there is no shortage of quality first basemen (and others who qualify) for fantasy owners to choose from this season.

We continue our 2009 season preview series with a look at arguably the deepest position on the board.

First In Line

A torn elbow ligament that threatened to make every swing his last scared many owners off Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols a year ago. Those who "chanced it" were rewarded with 37 home runs, 116 runs batted in, 100 runs and a .357 batting average. Pujols, 29, has averaged 39 HRs, 119 RBIs and 106 runs while batting .338 the last three years, and he could be better than ever now that he has a clean bill of health.

The Phillies' Ryan Howard will strike out more often than Beavis and Butthead, but he'll also deliver more HRs and RBIs than anybody else on the planet. Howard, who led the majors with 48 HRs and 146 RBIs in 2008, has averaged 51 HRs and 149 RBIs while batting .277 over the past three seasons. Slow starts have dogged him each of the past two years, so imagine the numbers if Howard finds his groove in April rather than August. Howard will be among the first 10 picks in every draft held in the Western Hemisphere.

The Tigers' Miguel Cabrera (37 HRs, 127 RBIs, .292) and Yankees' Mark Teixeira (33 HRs, 121 RBIs, .308) are proven qualities who (Jedi mind-trick alert) could slip into the second round in some drafts but provide first-round production.

The Next Level

The Brewers' Prince Fielder (34 HRs, 102 RBIs, .276) is just a season removed from a 50-HR campaign and is another likely second-round pick who will outperform some first-round selections, and the same goes for the Astros' Lance Berkman (29 HRs, 106 RBIs, .312, 114 runs, 18 stolen bases) and Twins' Justin Morneau (23 HRs, 129 RBIs, .300). The Padres' Adrian Gonzalez (36 HRs, 119 RBIs, .279, 103 runs), Cubs' Derrek Lee (20 HRs, 90 RBIs, .291) and Kevin Youkilis of the Red Sox (29 HRs, 115 RBIs, .312) are also solid options who could be available between the third and sixth rounds.

Breakout Candidate

The Rangers gave Chris Davis an audition last June, and the 22-year-old responded by clubbing 10 HRs in his first 89 at-bats. Davis finished his rookie campaign with 17 HRs, 55 RBIs, 51 runs and a .284 average in 295 at-bats, and it's easy to see him doubling his production in his first full season. Davis, who also qualifies at third in most leagues, is a middle-round option who could explode.

Top Newcomer

It took Pablo Sandoval just 145 at-bats -- in which he batted .344 with three HRs and 24 RBIs -- to convince the Giants he deserved to start and bat in the heart of the order. Sandoval could be a late-round steal who could produce 20 HRs, 100 RBIs and a .300 average if the planets align for him. Another plus: Sandoval qualifies at first and third (where he's slated to start) in most leagues, and he could also be pressed into catching duty in the event of emergency.

Primed For A Comeback

Fantasy owners used to count on White Sox slugger Paul Konerko for 40 HRs, 110 RBIs and a decent average. The last three seasons, however, have seen Konerko's HR/RBI totals dip from 35/113 in 2007 to 31/90 in '07 to 22/62 in '08. Konerko, who did close last season strong with 13 HRs and a .294 average over the final two months, is a low-risk, high-reward option who could pay huge dividends.

On The Downside

Injuries limited the Rockies' Todd Helton to just seven HRs, 29 RBIs and a .264 average in 299 at-bats in '08. Even if Helton is able to stay upright this season, his days as a 40-HR, 140-RBI, .340 machine are a distant memory.

Best Of The Rest

Carlos Delgado (38 HRs, 115 RBIs, .271); Garrett Atkins (21 HRs, 99 RBIs, .286); Aubrey Huff (32 HRs, 108 RBIs, .304); Joey Votto (24 HRs, 84 RBIs, .297); James Loney (13 HRs, 90 RBIs, .289); Carlos Pena (31 HRs, 102 RBIs, .247); Jorge Cantu (29 HRs, 95 RBIs, .277); Jason Giambi (32 HRs, 96 RBIs, .247); Conor Jackson (12 HRs, 75 RBIs, .300, 10 SBs); Adam LaRoche (25 HRs, 85 RBIs, .270); Mike Jacobs (32 HRs, 93 RBIs, .247).

Stu Rosenberg's fantasy sports column runs Fridays.

He can be reached at srosenberg@modbee.com or 578-2300.