1. Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels
Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels
Who else?
2. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Cabrera is the second most consistent first baseman in baseball.
3. Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox
Gonzalez led all MLB first basemen with 630 AB in 2011. With that many ABs and the players surrounding him, you can’t help but get giddy about Gonzo.
4. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
He led all first basemen in walks (110) last season and still hit 29 HR and 103 RBI.
5. Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers
Batting behind Cabrera can only benefit Fielder. Similar or even better numbers are forthcoming.
6. Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees
Sure, the average isn’t there, but we’re not complaining about the 2011 power numbers: 39 HR, 111 RBI.
7. Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians*
Santana proved himself to be the go-to-guy in the Indians’ lineup. He proved he could thrive at the catcher position after a nasty injury.
8. Mike Napoli, Texas Rangers*
Napoli was another fairly big surprise in his first season in Texas. He had career highs in AVG (.320), HR (30), and RBI (75).
9. Michael Young, Texas Rangers*
Young does it all and does it every year.
10. Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox
Last year was Konerko’s seventh season of hitting at least 30 HR.
11. Michael Morse, Washington Nationals
Morse was arguably the biggest surprise in all of baseball last season. He has power and hits for average.
12. Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox
Youkilis only played in 120 games in 2011 but still hit 17 HRs and 80 RBIs.
13. Lance Berkman, St. Louis Cardinals
Isn’t it great when a “washed up” veteran is a key piece to a championship team? That goes for fantasy leagues and real life.
14. Eric Hosmer, Kansas City Royals
The second-year standout has the tools to be a top ten first baseman.
15. Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies
Howard and Teixeira are fairly similar, Howard just strikes out more.
16. Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants*
Sandoval hit 23 HRs and 76 RBIs in just 426 ABs in 2011.
17. Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
The high expectations for Freeman’s rookie season weren’t disappointed in 2011. Although, the strikeouts could be lower (142).
18. Gaby Sanchez, Miami Marlins
Sanchez is surrounded by a ton of talent in the heart of Miami’s lineup.
19. Billy Butler, Kansas City Royals*
Butler was fourth among first basemen in hits in 2011 (174).
20. Michael Cuddyer, Colorado Rockies*
Cuddyer’s All Star season with Minnesota could see similar numbers at Coors Field.
*Not primary position but eligible for first base
