Fantasy Baseball Player Rankings & Projections
2009 First Base Preseason Preview
Albert Pujols
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One word, Stud. Pujols is as sure as
you get and is a worthwhile pick at #1 overall in your fantasy
baseball draft. |
1. Albert Pujols - Cardinals - 2009 Preview:
As expected, Pujols came back from his injury and shined in 2008.
He finished second in batting with a .357 average and one his second
National League MVP. He continues to have great inside numbers with
44 doubles, 104 walks and only 54 strikeouts and he even added 7
stolen bases in '08. Pujols is in his prime at 29 and with a lifetime
.334 batting average and a shade under 40 home runs per season average
he is the easy #1 pick again at first base.
2008 Statistics:
.357 - 37 HR's - 116 RBI's - 100 Runs.
2009 Projection: .341
- 38 HR's - 118 RBI's - 101 Runs.
2. Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers - 2009 Preview:
He is a 26-year-old lifetime .309 hitter batting in the middle of
a great line-up. What else could you ask for your starting fantasy
first basemen? Well, he does strikeout a bit much (126) and he only
walked 57 times and you can forget about any stolen bases or triples
from Cabrera as well, he has a combined total of 7 over the last
2 years. But Cabrera is one of the few legitimate Triple Crown threats
and he can still get better at just 26. His .292 average should
definitely improve in 2009.
2008 Statistics:
.292 - 37 HR's - 127 RBI's - 85 Runs
2009 Projection: .308
- 36 HR's - 124 RBI's - 90 Runs
3. Mark Teixeira - Yankees - 2009 Preview:
He is as consistent as consistent gets even though he has been on
three teams in 2 seasons. A long term contract on a great offense
will give Tex what he needs to compete with the top 3, but his ability
doesn't quite reach those players. He is in his prime at just 29
and you can expect another .300, 30 home run, 100 RBI season, possibly
more.
2008 Statistics:
.308 - 33 HR's - 121 RBI's - 102 Runs
2009 Projection: .302
- 35 HR's - 120 RBI's - 104 Runs
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4. Ryan Howard - Phillies - 2009 Preview:
He might be argued as the #1 first basemen if you are in a league
that does not take away for strikeouts, but his 199 strikeouts combined
with a lowly .251 average makes it impossible for Howard to grab
the #1 spot when considering all formats. You know exactly what
you are going to get with Howard and that is home runs and RBI's.
If he can stop his decline in batting average (.311 in '06, .268
in '07, .251 in '08) his stock might improve, but that decline is
a bit scary.
2008 Statistics:
.251 - 48 HR's - 146 RBI's - 105 Runs
2009 Projection: .260
- 47 HR's - 139 RBI's - 100 Runs
5. Justin Morneau - Twins - 2009 Preview:
He gets the nod over Berkman mostly because he is younger at 27
and the fact that he is an excellent clutch hitter and that always
means good RBI totals. In addition, Morneau has a very solid 76
walk to 85 strikeout ratio and his 47 doubles and 4 triples give
him strong inside numbers for a first basemen. His surrounding line-up
will determine where he places on the top ten, but with the young
Twin offense, his exact spot is a bit up in the air.
2008 Statistics:
.300 - 23 HR's - 129 RBI's - 97 Runs
2009 Projection: .298
- 28 HR's - 119 RBI's - 95 Runs
6. Lance Berkman - Astros - 2009 Preview:
After an amazing start Berkman crashed in the second half and thus
the lower ranking going into 2009. This wasn't just a second half
slump, this was a disaster. He hit .347 with 22 home runs and 14
stolen bases in the first half and hit .259 with 7 home runs and
4 stolen bases in the second half. Nevertheless, his final stats
are among the best, especially his 18 stolen bases and 114 runs
at first base. Don't expect another 18 stolen bases from Berkman,
but he is an athlete and will steal more than most first basemens.
You add 46 doubles and 4 triples, a 99 wallks to 108 strikeout ratio
and Berkman has among the best inside numbers of any first basemen.
2008 Statistics:
.312 - 29 HR's - 106 RBI's - 114 Runs
2009 Projection: .302
- 31 HR's - 110 RBI's - 107 Runs
7. Prince Fielder - Brewers - 2009 Preview:
After a breakout 2007, Fielder came crashing down to Earth with
a very average 2008. He still hits in a hitter's park, still has
a good line-up surrounding him and is just going to turn 25. He
has plenty of upside to draft him above his 2008 stats, but still
below his 2007 breakout stats. After his home runs and RBI's, Fielder
doesn't offer much else with just 30 doubles, 2 triples and 3 stolen
bases, so he better be able to hit 40 home runs to remain this high.
2008 Statistics:
.276 - 34 HR's - 102 RBI's - 86 Runs
2009 Projection: .279
- 40 HR's - 110 RBI's - 91 Runs
