Fantasy’s Best First Baseman

[Arlo]

Jamey Feuer continues his position-by-position analysis with what might well be fantasy's deepest position: first base. Pujols, Helton, Thome ... to say that there's certainly an abundance of talent at 1B would be quite an understatement.

Join Jamey as he examines this year's fantasy standouts!

[EricF]

There certainly is an abundance of talent at 1B. Assuming I pick up a stud 1B early, in terms of securing someone for the UT spot, would I be better off taking someone off this great 1B list, or is there more talent at OF positions I should be targeting?

[Madison]

Another well written article.

LaRoche? Really? Hmm.....guess I need to go brush up on him. He's gone undrafted in several league drafts that I've seen.

[EricF]

LaRoche will be sharing some time with Julio Franco, though. Not knowing when he will play, I'll look at other 1B candidates.

[jameeman]

You're quite right about LaRoche splitting time w/ Julio Franco. That being said however, Franco IS in his mid 40's, played in the Mexican league... or Venezuelan league... during the winter, and even an ironman like he will be bound to tire or breakdown at some point. Further, I do think Atlanta will try and get LaRoche as many AB's as possible due to the fact that HE'S the future at 1st, not Franco.
As far as a Utility player goes... there are far more OF'ers capable of filling the bill then power hitting, solid RBI 1st Baggers. You may be better served grabbing a possible sleeper like Jermaine Dye for instance, who's both primed for a bounce back year AND will go later in most drafts than he should. There are also guys like Matt Holiday and Rios floating about who'll fill your Flex slot quite well. Be flexible in your draft however. It's hard to stick to a plan when there's a sudden run on Closers... or all the top Shortstops start to fly off the board.

Good Luck!

[pops]

Can Adrian Gonzalez be a super sleeper and the next Albert Pujols? Hopefully Texas realizes he's the best defensive first baseman they have, miles ahead of any other DH hopeful and hiting up a storm this spring. Comments please. Pops

[Madison]

Can Adrian Gonzalez be a super sleeper and the next Albert Pujols? Hopefully Texas realizes he's the best defensive first baseman they have, miles ahead of any other DH hopeful and hiting up a storm this spring. Comments please. Pops

The next Pujols? No. Adrian does not have the power Pujols has. He could hit for high average, be in a great lineup, and hit a few homers thanks to the Ballpark in Arlington (yeah, I know, Ameriquest Field ), but he's not got the power Pujols has.