Fantasy Baseball: Top 15 First Basemen
![Fantasy Baseball: Top 15 First Basemen Fantasy Baseball: Top 15 First Basemen](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/MTY4MjYzMjk2NDk1MDY4NDM3/albert-pujols.jpg)
Fantasy Baseball: Top 15 First Basemen
Albert Pujols
![Albert Pujols](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk2NDk1MDY4NDM3/albert-pujols.jpg)
Pujols' monster 2009 season (47 HRs, 135 RBIs, 124 runs, 16 steals, .327 average) stands as one of the greatest 5x5 performance of this century. Lucky for us, he has a good shot at surpassing those numbers in '10 -- at least on two fronts.<br> <b>Projections: <br>44 HRs, 141 RBIs, 117 runs, 14 steals, .338 average.</b>
Miguel Cabrera
![Miguel Cabrera](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk2NzYxNTM3ODEz/miguel-cabrera.jpg)
In the mood for a heated fantasy debate to carry you through March? Look no further than predicting the order of first basemen after Pujols -- Nos. 2 through 7 -- among Cabrera, Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder, Mark Teixeira, Justin Morneau and Adrian Gonzalez. Truth be told, we could make a sustainable case for either one at No. 2 ... and No. 7. Officially, we've decided to get jiggy with Miggy -- our choice for American League MVP. <br><b>Projections:<br> 37 HRs, 114 RBIs, 102 runs, 4 steals, .331 average.</b>
Ryan Howard
![Ryan Howard](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk3MDI4MTM4MjYx/ryan-howard.jpg)
Howard is the easy choice for No. 3 here -- even if he doesn't feel the need to swipe eight or more bases again in 2010. Bottom line: There is no greater lock for 44 homers, 145 RBIs and 105 runs in fantasyland. He also holds a greater fear factor over Teixeira and Fielder -- provided he doesn't slink back to the days of hitting .251 (circa 2008).<br> <b>Projections: <br>46 HRs, 144 RBIs, 102 runs, 4 steals, .277 average.</b>
Prince Fielder
![Prince Fielder](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk2NzYxNDA2NzQx/prince-fielder.jpg)
Aside from a somewhat-deflating K/BB ratio in 2009, there are no design flaws with Fielder's fantasy machine. He's averaging a Howard-like 43 homers, 121 RBIs and 100 runs since 2007 and has (surprisingly) evolved into an annual candidate for .300 or better. Here's where it gets tricky, though: The Brewers have more across-the-board firepower than at any other time in Fielder's Milwaukee tenure, which could affect his bottom line at season's end. <br><b>Projections: <br>39 HRs, 131 RBIs, 93 runs, 2 steals, .301 average.</b>
Mark Teixeira
![Mark Teixeira](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk2NzYyNTg2Mzg5/mark-teixeira.jpg)
Without a doubt, Tex is a fantasy moose and likely Round 1 pick in AL-only and mixed-league drafts. On the flip side, he's neither a lock for 40 homers, 120 RBIs, 100 runs nor .300 average even in Yankee pinstripes. Put it all together ... and he represents an exciting -- but safe -- choice at No. 5. <br><b>Projections: <br>34 HRs, 124 RBIs, 97 runs, 4 steals, .298 average.</b>
Justin Morneau
![Justin Morneau](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk2MjIzNTUyNzg5/justin-morneau.jpg)
At first blush, it seems preposterous that Morneau could supplant both Gonzalez and Berkman in the upcoming fantasy season. After all, the Twins no longer play in the warm and comfy confines of The Metrodome (hello, Target Field) ... and Morneau has been somewhat injury-prone in recent years. But we're not giving up on the twentysomething Morneau, who's been an absolute fantasy dynamo in odd-numbered years. Consider this selection a substantial leap of faith. <br><b>Projections: <br>34 HRs, 128 RBIs, 100 runs, 3 steals, .317 average.</b>
Adrian Gonzalez
![Adrian Gonzalez](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk3MDI4MzM0ODY5/adrian-gonzalez.jpg)
If Gonzo remains property of the Padres all season (odds of that occurrence: 40/60), he's likely a solid choice for the seventh slot. But if he should be traded to the Red Sox before July 31 (odds: 60/40) ... then all bets are off with the following forecast. <br><b>Projections:<br> 38 HRs, 96 RBIs, 92 runs, 1 steal, .280 average.</b>
Mark Reynolds
![Mark Reynolds](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk2NDk0NDc4NjEz/mark-reynolds.jpg)
Forget about the 44 HRs/102 RBIs/24 steals/223 strikeouts for just one second, as we point to this telling stat: In 2009, Reynolds hit just .208 with runners in scoring position. That alone should indicate Reynolds' dream season was not a fluke. In fact, he might be in store for more good karma in 2010. <br><b>Projections:<br> 32 HRs, 104 RBIs, 92 runs, 27 steals, .259 average.</b>
Lance Berkman
![Lance Berkman](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk3MDI2NjMwOTMz/lance-berkman.jpg)
Berkman is the highest-ranking player at his position to experience across-the-board reductions in all major categories last season. Conversely, he's the lowest-ranking first baseman with the greatest chance of cracking the top-5 in 2010 -- assuming last year's mini-malaise was an aberration. Confused? Thankfully, we've got a firm grasp on Fat Elvis' seasonal forecast. <br><b>Projections: <br>31 HRs, 103 RBIs, 91 runs, 8 steals, .302 average.</b>
Derrek Lee
![Derrek Lee](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk2NDkwMDg3NzAx/derrek-lee.jpg)
If you can stomach a slow start in April or May, Lee will gladly reward your patience with consistent destruction from June-September ... lest we forget his four-month rampage in 2009 (30 HRs, 92 RBIs). Here's another hidden bonus: You won't have to pay a draft-day arm and/or leg to acquire Lee -- leaving you more time for underrated pitching gems whose last names rhyme with <i>Fester, Blershaw, Throwey or Plainwright</i>. <br><b>Projections:<br> 29 HRs, 104 RBIs, 92 runs, 2 steals, .301 average.</b>
Joey Votto
![Joey Votto](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk2NDk0MjE2NDY5/joey-votto.jpg)
Don't be fooled by Votto's middling ranking here. In savvy mixed leagues, he'll never slide past Round 4; and in NL-only leagues, he's an unheralded candidate for Round 1. In other words, you'll have to make a lightning-fast choice on Cincinnati's only lead-pipe cinch for 27/95/.320. At the same token, be weary of frequent visits to the disabled list. Ouch! <br><b>Projections:<br> 27 HRs, 95 RBIs, 86 runs, 4 steals, .320 average.</b>
Kendry Morales
![Kendry Morales](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk2NDkzNjI2NjQ1/kendry-morales.jpg)
It's a common refrain amongst fantasy baseball analysts: Do not fall in love with unproven players during spring training. But who among us could've resisted Morales' out-of-nowhere greatness last year at this time after Kendry went Ted Williams on Cactus League pitching, batting .397 in Arizona. Of course, it helped that the Angels had a gaping hole at first base (thanks to Teixeira's departure). Fast forward to the present, as Morales must now live up to heightened expectations, while also losing his outfield eligibility in the process. Talk about a mixed bag. <br><b>Projections:<br> 29 HRs, 104 RBIs, 85 runs, 1 steal, .297 average.</b>
Kevin Youkilis
![Kevin Youkilis](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk2MjIzODgwNDY5/kevin-youkilis.jpg)
Assuming Youk collects 500 at-bats for the Red Sox, he's a reasonable lock for 26/96/97/.303. However, with the presence of the No. 13 stud in this countdown -- along with the omnipresent Adrian Gonzalez-to-Boston rumors -- we have no choice but to exclude him from the top-10. <br><b>Projections:<br> 26 HRs, 96 RBIs, 97 runs, 5 steals, .304 average.</b>
Victor Martinez
![Victor Martinez](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk3MDI3NDE3MzY1/victor-martinez.jpg)
If V -Mart should play 140-plus games for Boston, he's a solid choice for No. 2 catcher behind Mauer (sorry, McCann). And if the word "platoon" never gets whispered in his direction -- in association with Jason Varitek -- he might surpass Mauer's numbers by season's end. In the meantime, we'll stick at the 3-spot. <br> <b>Projections:<br> 19 HRs, 89 RBIs, 92 runs and .297 average.</b>
Carlos Pe&#241;a
![](https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MjYzMjk2NzU5OTY0OTQ5/carlos-peamp241a.jpg)
If there was a Hall of Fame wing devoted to the sweetest swings in baseball history, Pena would get reasonable consideration for this honor. And yet, the man finished with a Uecker-like .227 last season, rarely reaping the benefits of Tropicana Field's super-fast turf. So, how are we supposed to balance putrid numbers in batting average/steals with the strong likelihood of 30 HRs/100 RBIs/100 runs? Draft Pena in the middle rounds ... and then spend every subsequent pick on a player who'll hit .285 in his sleep. <br><b>Projections:<br> 37 HRs, 104 RBIs, 93 runs, 1 steal, .264 average.</b>