MLB Position Rankings: First Base

2014 looks to be a deep year for many positions, but 1B is not one of them. Traditionally a position filled with elite hitters, the quality of talent at first base drops off alarmingly quickly. That being said, there is some good value to be found in the talent pool. Here are the top 10 rankings for first base in 2014. Make sure to check back soon for second base rankings!

Sleeper Picks- Jose Abreu, Ryan Howard, Logan Morrison, Brandon Moss

10- Eric Hosmer

After Hosmer's 2011 rookie campaign, scouts and owners alike were salivating over Hosmer's talent and potential as a hitter. Fast forward 3 years and Hosmer has been unable to replicate the power he showed at the plate during his first season. 2014 will be a pivotal year for Hosmer but we predict that he will continue to put up the mediocre numbers that he did last year.

9- Adrian Gonzalez

Gonzalez is perhaps one of the safest picks in the top 10 for first baseman but he also has one of the lowest upsides. Gonzalez has most likely seen his best years pass, but that doesn't mean he can't still contribute at the plate. He won't hit 40 homers like he did in 2009 but hitting in the cleanup spot for the stacked Dodgers will ensure another solid season for Gonzo.

8- Buster Posey

Yes, Posey plays predominantly as a catcher, but he has 1B eligibility in ESPN fantasy so for the sake of this blog, we will include him in the 1b rankings. Posey had a solid 2013 season in which he hit .294 with 15 home runs and we think he will only improve upon those numbers in 2014.

7- Edwin Encarnacion

Encarnacion is a very interesting player to watch in 2014 and beyond. He seemingly broke out in 2012 out of nowhere and continued his success in 2013 with 36 homers. A closer look at his peripherals, however, suggest that Encarnacion's elite numbers have been the result of luck (and maybe some banned substances?) Be careful with Encarnacion in 2014. 

6- Chris Davis

Davis hit more home runs in 2013 than he had hit in his 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons combined. He's a good first baseman and power hitter, but he's not as good as his 2013 numbers looked. Look for Davis to be a major regression candidate this season.

5- Freddie Freeman

Freeman has a very good 2013 year for the Braves at first base. He finally showed the patience at the plate that scouts had been looking for which helped boost his average to a very impressive .319. What should benefit Freeman most in 2014, however, is the resurgence of the Braves lineup. The Upton brothers both have a lot of room to grow from last season and if they finally start producing like they can, Freeman will benefit greatly in the form of increased runs and RBIs.

4- Prince Fielder

Fielder is another player who has already seen his prime pass but will still contribute in 2014. Something around .280 with 25 homers and 95 RBIs seems realistic for the first baseman's first season with the Rangers.

3- Joey Votto

Votto is about a safe of a pick as you can get in the first round and should be top 5 pick in every league this season. While owners might get slightly frustrated by his lack of RBIs, Votto should continue to hit for power while scoring runs and maintaining a batting average over .300. What else can you ask from your first baseman?

2- Paul Goldschmidt

Goldschmidt had a great 2013 season and finished in the top 5 for ESPN's player rater. He's still only 26 years old and is one of the only first baseman who can contribute in the steals category as well as the power category. Goldschmidt should be a top 5 pick in every league in 2014.

1- Miguel Cabrera

After the departure of Prince Fielder, Cabrera should regain his 1B eligibility just a few weeks into the 2014 season. When he does, he will be far and away the best first baseman in the league. 

2014 Fantasy Baseball Rankings- 11-20

For rankings 1-10, click here. Check back in a few days for rankings 20-50! Comment which rankings you agree with and what changes you would make.

11. Ryan Braun
Had Braun not been suspended for steroid use in 2013, he most likely would have been on the way to another MVP caliber season. Though there is reason to be concerned about the effects of his steroid use, his peripherals are slightly more concerning. In his short-lived 2013 season, he batted .298 with a .360 BABIP, 19 points above his career average. We predict that Braun's numbers will regress slightly from career averages in 2014 though he will still provide excellent value as a late first round pick or early second rounder.

12. Chris Davis
Davis is arguably the biggest candidate to be a bust in 2014. We know he has power, but players do not typically break out at age 27 after 8 full years in the MLB. 2013 was also the first season in which Davis played more than 140 games, just another concern for Davis. We predict Davis to regress in 2013, and numbers of .270/35/100 seem realistic for the first baseman.

13- Adam Jones
Prior to 2012, Jones had been seen as a constant disappointment for fantasy owners. Each season he was touted a "breakout" candidate, but he never had that big season. Things changed in 2012, however, when he blasted 32 home runs, stole 16 bases and scored 103 runs. He put up nearly identical numbers in 2013, good for 10th on ESPN's player rater. Expect Jones to maintain his numbers in 2014, which should fall around .285/30/100.

14. Joey Votto
Votto is one of the most consistent players you can draft in the first couple rounds. He has never batted below .300 in a season, he has hit 24 or more home runs in 5 of the past 6 seasons and he has stayed healthy for nearly all of his career, playing all 162 games in 2013. If Votto drops to 14, consider yourself lucky.

15. Prince Fielder
After a disappointing 2013 campaign, Fielder is a prime candidate for a bounce back season in 2014. The Rangers ballpark is far superior to Comerica park for left handed hitters and it certainly won't hurt that he will be batting clean-up for one of the best offenses in the AL. If Fielder can keep his contact rate up, he should be in for a huge season, providing 1st round value for a 2nd round pick.

16. Adrian Beltre
It is pretty miraculous for Beltre to be putting up the numbers he did in his 16th season in the MLB. Since 2010 Beltre has put together a string of all-star seasons, batting an average of .313 with 126 home runs, an average of nearly 32 per season. Beltre should also benefit from the arrival of Prince Fielder who adds a serious weapon to the already strong Rangers offense.


17. Stephen Strasburg
Strasburg has all the tools to be the 2nd best pitcher in baseball behind Clayton Kershaw, he just has yet to put them all together. Had Strasburg not been shut down in 2013, he more than likely would have improved on his already impressive numbers. A down year for the Nationals and some of the worst run support in the MLB left Strasburg out of luck in terms of wins, as he garnered just 8 over the course of the season. Look for Strasburg to have a tremendous 2014 campaign.

18. Evan Longoria
Longoria had a puzzling 2013 season. Though his fly ball rate was over 2% higher than his career average, his line drive rate dropped which led to a drop in batting average. One interesting stat to watch for Longoria in 2014 will be his K rate. In 2013, it rose to 23.4 from his 20.5 career average. Longoria should put together another strong season in 2014, with an average near .280 to go along with 35 HR and 100 RBI.

19. Giancarlo Stanton
Stanton has the most raw power in the MLB. With a career ISO (Isolated Power) of .270, Stanton should contribute upwards of 40 HRs this season. Increased patience at the plate (his BB rate was 3 points above his career average in 2013 and his K rate dropped a full point in 2013 from his career average) should also help boost his fantasy value.

20. Yu Darvish
Unlike fellow Japanese-native Daisuke Matsuzaka, who proved to be a bust after just 1 successful season, Yu Darvish proved in 2013 that he has the stuff to remain an elite starter in the MLB for years to come. Darvish struck out an astounding 277 batters in 2013 to go along with a sub 3 ERA and should produce similar stats in 2014.