Now that we’ve covered the rankings and projections for the Top 40 First Basemen for Fantasy Baseball 2013 and the Top 20 NL First Basemen, it’s time to jump over to the junior circuit and cover the rankings and projections for the Top 20 AL First Basemen. Wheeeeeeeeee! As a reminder, we’ve already covered a crap load of other rankings and projections and threw some awesome fantasy baseball strategy posts which you can find over at our free 2013 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide. Did I mention it’s free?? All rankings, blurbs and projections here by my boy Jewish_Jeff!
1. Albert Pujols (LAA) – No introduction needed. Trout on base in front of him; possibly the best protection behind him in the form of Jeezy Hamilton. You know what Prince Albert brings to the table…
Projection: 97 R, 31 HR, 101 RBI, 5 SB, .295 avg.
2. Prince Fielder (DET) – Year 2 in Detroit looks to be one that will see improvement from Fielder. He’ll be more settled with his surroundings in Detroit, and of course behind the reigning Triple Crown winner. Looking for a power surge from Prince in ’13…
Projection: 92 R, 36 HR, 106 RBI, 0 SB, .284 avg.
3. Edwin Encarnacion (TOR) – What a year 2012 was for EE? Can he do it again? EE will be the Jays’ primary DH option with Adam Lind looking like the actual starter at 1B. More importantly, Encarnacion will find himself “cleaning up” for Jose Reyes, Melky Cabrera and Jose Bautista who will hit 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The RBI opps will certainly be there, as will the power.
Projection: 85 R, 33 HR, 97 RBI, 12 SB, .271 avg.
4. Billy Butler (KC) – Butler played only 20 games at 1B last season, and will probably see about the same amount of time in ’13. Luckily, we don’t care about defense, as Butler will continue to be the Royals’ starting DH. “Country Breakfast” is a solid later option at 1B if you miss on the first seven. Solid average with some pop.
Projection: 77 R, 23 HR, 90 RBI, 1 SB, .298 avg.
5. Paul Konerko (CWS) – At age 37, what can we expect from Paul Konerko? Much of the same, though there *may* be a dropoff in HRs. I don’t expect any dramatic changes from Konerko this year.
Projection: 76 R, 23 HR, 85 RBI, 1 SB, .303 avg.
6. Joe Mauer, C (MIN) – El Capitan… Joe Mauer, like Buster Posey, brings most of his value when playing at catcher. However, in the rare occurrence that you have him as your starting first baseman, he will still produce ten-ish homers with an above .300 average.
Projection: 78 R, 13 HR, 77 RBI, 4 SB, .311 avg.
7. Eric Hosmer (KC) – After a great ’11 rookie campaign, there were high hopes for Hosmer in ’12, and he simply did not deliver. In ’13, he’ll look to bounce back…
Projection: 74 R, 17 HR, 79 RBI, 17 SB, .265 avg.
8. Mark Trumbo, OF (LAA) – Trumbo finds himself in one of the best RBI positions in baseball, as he’ll hit fifth for the Angels behind Mike Trout, Erick Aybar, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton in ’13. 1B/OF eligibility adds to his value for sure.
Projection: 65 R, 27 HR, 82 RBI, 4 SB, .270 avg.
9. Kevin Youkilis, 3B (NYY) – Yankee fans won’t want to hear it, but the injuries to Tex and A-Rod will give Youk an opportunity to perform. He’s now projected to be the Yanks’ cleanup hitter between Robinson Cano and Travis Hafner for Opening Day.
Projection: 70 R, 22 HR, 75 RBI, 2 SB, .275 avg.
10. Adam Dunn (CWS) – “Big Donkey” is a virtual lock to hit 25+ homers for you. The issue will be the batting average. No secrets here on Dunn.
Projection: 79 R, 31 HR, 84 RBI, 1 SB, .230 avg.
11. Carlos Santana C (CLE) – Another guy that if drafted, should certainly be your CATCHER, but also has first base eligibility. Santana looks to build on last year, and did well for the DR in the WBC.
Projection: 70 R, 20 HR, 77 RBI, 3 SB, .260 avg.
12. Mike Napoli C (BOS) – There are more C/1B players than I remember. Napoli missed out on a big contract with Boston due to a physical in the offseason. He will look to get paid for 2014. If healthy, I’m expecting a solid ’13 campaign for Napoli (again, a guy I’d want at my C position instead of 1B).
Projection: 68 R, 25 HR, 76 RBI, 0 SB, .250 avg.
13. Victor Martinez C (DET) – Same story as the other catchers; I’d much rather have him catching than at first. V-Mart however, if you can snag him after the 12th (doubtful based on his current ADP), will produce nicely in the Tigers’ lineup.
Projection: 60 R, 16 HR, 68 RBI, 1 SB, .292 avg.
14. Chris V. Carter (HOU) – Carter has true power potential as we saw last season in Oakland. Now in H-Town, he won’t have to platoon. 4 HRs in Spring so far with no road block in his way for playing time. This guy could crack 30 homers. The concern is the batting average. Anything over .240 will be a success.
Projection: 78 R, 28 HR, 82 RBI, 4 SB, .245 avg.
15. Nick Swisher OF (CLE) – Swisher is a great late round addition. While a guy like Trumbo is going in the 8-10th rounds, you could snag Swisher in the later teens, and not miss much production. Value drafting is key (especially at a deep 1B position). Swish also has OF eligibility on top.
Projection: 73 R, 22 HR, 75 RBI, 2 SB, .265 avg.
16. Justin Morneau (MIN) – The Twins will need solid production from their Canadian first baseman if they’ll have any chance at a ’13 playoff berth.
Projection: 66 R, 22 HR, 69 RBI, 1 SB, .265 avg.
17. Chris Davis OF (BAL) – Davis will look to continue to show the Texas Rangers that he can in fact be an everyday player by locking down the 1B job for Baltimore in ’13. He also comes with the added bonus of OF eligibility which could help your back end depth. He’s a guy that seems to slip in drafts; like Swisher, if it gets to the late teens, he’s a great add because of the position eligibility.
Projection: 65 R, 23 HR, 70 RBI, 2 SB, .258 avg.
18. Kendrys Morales (SEA) – Kendrys Morales will operate almost exclusively out of the DH spot for the Mariners, which is great news for he and his owners in ’13.
Projection: 61 R, 20 HR, 70 RBI, 0 SB, .265 avg.
19. Lance Berkman (TEX) – Berkman looked good when he played last season for the Cards, the problem was he barely played. Now with the Rangers, Berkman will operate mostly as the team’s DH (great news for owners) with some time playing first base. With Berkman, it’ll all be based on where you can snag him. Love him as a deep bench player.
Projection: 62 R, 15 HR, 71 RBI, 0 SB, .280 avg.
20. Mark Reynolds (CLE) – This late, you’re looking for something useable. While his average sucks, Reynolds will hit 25 or more HRs for you. In the 20’s of the draft, I’ll take the power.
Projection: 65 R, 25 HR, 68 RBI, 6 SB, .220 avg.
Bonus!
21. Juan Rivera OF (NYY) – Similar situation to fellow Yankee Kevin Youkilis. Rivera will see time early with the combined injuries of A-Rod, Granderson and Tex. Lets see if he can deliver anything fantasy-worthy.
Projection: 55 R, 17 HR, 65 RBI, 0 SB, .260 avg.
Other 1B options to watch:
- Jeff Keppinger, 1B/2B (CWS) – Starter, low upside
- Mark Teixeira (NYY) – DL until June and possible season ending surgery (insert sad face emoticon here)
- Mike Olt (TEX) – Big time prospect starting year in minors
- Carlos Pena (HOU) – 20+ homers are a virtual lock; poor average of course
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