2008 Fantasy Baseball First Basemen - Top 5

The power corner...it was hard to narrow down the top 5 but I do think they are clear cut. You can't go wrong with any of these guys, but there are a few that should stand above the rest. The top three players are ones you should really try to secure in your draft. 1st basemen can really add some "pop" to your squad and that should go without being said. They usually aren't the best all around athletes but this is fantasy and no one cares about your glove work.


2008 TOP 5 FANTASY FIRST BASEMEN


#1 - Albert Pujols - 2007 Stats
565 AB's, .327 AVG, 185 Hits, 38 Doubles, 1 Triple, 32 HR's, 103 RBI's, 2 Stolen Bases & 99 Walks.


#2 - Ryan Howard - 2007 Stats
529 AB's, .268 AVG, 142 Hits, 26 Doubles, 0 Triples, 47 HR's, 136 RBI's, 1 Stolen Base & 107 Walks.


#3 - Price Fielder - 2007 Stats
573 AB's, .288 AVG, 165 Hits, 35 Doubles, 2 Triples, 50 HR's, 119 RBI's, 2 Stolen Bases & 90 Walks.


#4 - Carlos Pena - 2007 Stats
490 AB's, .282 AVG, 138 Hits, 29 Doubles, 1 Triple, 46 HR's, 121 RBI's, 1 Stolen Base & 103 Walks.


#5 - Mark Teixeira - 2007 Stats
494 AB's, .306 AVG, 151 Hits, 33 Doubles, 2 Triples, 30 HR's, 105 RBI's, 0 Stolen Bases & 72 Walks.

2008's Top Sleeper
Billy Butler - 2007 Stats
329 AB's, .292 AVG, 96 Hits, 23 Doubles, 2 Triples, 8 HR's, 52 RBI's, 0 Stolen Bases & 27 Walks.

Just missed the Top 5
Lance Berkman - 2007 Stats
561 AB's, .278 AVG, 156 Hits, 24 Doubles, 2 Triples, 34 HR's, 102 RBI's, 7 Stolen Bases & 94 Walks.


First Basemen Notes:
Albert Pujols - STUD!!!! 32 or more HR's in each of first 7 MLB seasons. 103 or more RBI's in each as well. Over .314 batting average in each of first 7 seasons (.332 Lifetime). Need I say more...last year was his worst season... but don't even think twice; if you can land him, steal him ASAP!!!

Ryan Howard - Last year was definitely not as nice as his 2006 campaign. But that should be expected when you miss 14 games with a strained quad and play through it before and after the injury. Don't let the slumping #'s fool you, this kid can flat out hit...to all parts of the field!! Yeah, he set the MLB record for K's in a season (199)! Yeah, his average dropped 45 points! Yeah, he had 11 less homers! Don't be a homer, take him quickly and reap his benefits. If he stays healthy, his #'s will impress!

Price Fielder - 23 Years old and 50 homers under his belt for one season! Hopefully he will try to keep other things from making it under his belt. His weight might be an issue as he needs to keep fit to maintain his great numbers. The season is a long one and last year Prince only hit .230 in August and September which should show you there are issues with his fitness. He is still a youngster and has tremendous power, it would just be nice for him to take a different path than his dad. He was much more patient in 2007 than 2006 as he walked 31 more times. His average has stayed right around .280 every year as well. He might be more risky than others but his production should stay close to the same. He has great hitters all around him in the lineup and that should assist him well.

Carlos Pena - O' how it is nice to get the starters job from the get go. Carlos was platooning and seeing a lot of bench work with the 4 different squads before finding a home with Tampa Bay. His average has been pretty suspect, but if last year was proof of his maturing process, look out in 2008. He should no longer have to worry about keeping his position as he should be inked before the season starts. A definite gamble, but one with very nice rewards if he maintains his eye. (103 walks)

Mark Teixeira - His #'s were horrible before the All-Star Break but he still managed to put up great final stats in '07. He has hit 30+ homers & 100+ RBI's each of the last 4 seasons and will maintain that in Atlanta. He is a .286 lifetime hitter and is now entering his prime. As a lefty he has much better power but his average is much lower from that side of the plate. Good thing as rightys are abundant in the NL. Sitting in between Chipper Jones, Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur he will get plenty of pitches to hit and should have a wonderful first full season in the NL.

Lance Berkman - He's now 31 and should show off some of his veteran skills. He now has 8 full seasons under his belt in a small home field and is rarely hurt. He is a lifetime .300 hitter and has real potential of having a .315/40/120 year in 2008. Hits for way more power from the left side and is starting to know the strike zone much better. Carlos Lee, himself and the newly acquired Miguel Tejada should really scare opposing pitchers in '08. Hunter Pence and Kazuo Matsui should fire up the base paths in front of these power three and the RBI's # will be effected!

Billy Butler - Lets put it this way, he isn't the best fielder, but he is a pure hitter. He was drafted out of high school in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft as a 3rd baseman. He wasn't very swift with the glove and was moved to the outfield. He was brought up to the bigs in 2007 as a left fielder but was shortly sent back down because he was error prone. The Royals organization tweaked his position again and made him a first baseman and that it how he was called back up in '07. He can hit and when you have that gift, you will find a spot in the line up. His only competition in 2008 in Ross Gload...that should tell you who is their guy. He hit the go ahead/winning homer in the 2006 All-Star Futures Game and was awarded the MVP. In 2008, Kansas City will be much like the 2006 Detroit Tigers as they will rely heavily on their young talent. Butler should keep a spot in the line-up for many years to come and you should steal him in your draft and listen to others praise you come All-Star Break.


Top 5 Second Baseman are up next, keep your eye out for the post.