I’m Tier’ing up…First Baseman
March 7th, 2010
Unclecharlie@fantasybaseballgeeks.com
Billy Butler - Icon SMI
Tiers based on Head-to-Head Points
1B – 1 Point
2B – 2 Points
3B – 3 Points
HR – 4 Points
RBI – 1 Point
R – 1 Point
K – (1 Point)
BB – 1 Point
| Tier 1 | What’s up with that? |
| 1. Albert Pujols | King Albert has more patience at the plate than a hibernating bear during winter – placing him in a league of his own in this format. |
| Tier 2 | What’s up with that? |
| 2. Prince Fielder | Seems to be a lock for 35+ HR, the lowered strikeout total in 09′ is an added bonus. His extra-quick stroke and short stride suggest it should only continue for the Prince of Parsnips. |
| 3. Mark Teixeira | Big Tex’s first season in NY was a huge success as he set career highs in HR, RBI and R. His ability to pull the ball from the left side will continue to benefit him at home. |
| 4. Miguel Cabrera | The perennial triple crown threat decided to lay off the booze a bit this offseason and vows to continue throughout the season. Chalk up a .300/35/110 season – even if he has to stomach a few O’Douls. |
| 5. Adrian Gonzalez | The fact he is the only threat in the Padres lineup to drive in runs actually benefits his value in formats like this. His BB:K ratio did a complete 360 last season, and he still managed to hit a career high 40 HR in only 550 ABS. An inevitable deal at the deadline could only boost his value. |
| 7. Justin Morneau | Maybe a couple more HR this season in a smaller park. |
| 8. Ryan Howard | Would be a top 5 first baseman if it weren’t for his strike-outs. |
| Tier 3 | What’s up with that? |
| 9. Joey Votto | Only Albert Pujols, Joe Mauer and Prince Fielder topped Votto’s .981 OPS last year. If Votto lasts a whole season he will get at least 100 more AB’s than last season which could translate into his first 30+ home run season. Take advantage of the discounted draft value of Votto compared to the top two tier 1B. |
| 9. Kevin Youkilis | Can be a headache for weekly lineup leagues with his frequent day-to-day status. |
| 10. Victor Martinez | Better value as a Catcher, but no one is complaining with the added flexibility. |
| 11. Pablo Sandoval | Can he continue his sophomore season as the spark plug of the Giants offense? I think so. |
| 12. Lance Berkman | Obviously regressing in his career, but he still hit 25 HR in a short season last year (460 AB). |
| 13. Mark Reynolds | A freak in other formats, Reynolds doesn’t attract the same value in leagues that penalize strikeouts. |
| Tier 4 | What’s up with that? |
| 14. Billy Butler | My pick for the best bargain at the 1B position. Butler is only 23 and still maturing, sit on him if you miss out on the top 10. |
| 15. James Loney | Great hitter, great patience – now we just need to see the power we were promised. |
| 16. Kendry Morales | I don’t think he can repeat his numbers from last year, but to be honest I don’t have much to back that opinion. |
| 17. Nick Johnson | There are too many reasons to like Johnson this year. For one he returns to pin stripes. Secondly, the lefty will benefit from the jet stream (See Johnny Damon). If Girardi hits him in the two-hole in front of Big Tex it will only get better. |
| 18. Adam Dunn | The Nat’s stadium didn’t hurt his power numbers too much last season, but I’m not buying a repeat this season. |
| 19. Derrek Lee | I actually like Lee, but there is too much talent at the first base position this year. |
Other options: Todd Helton, Adam LaRoche, Carlos Pena, Michael Cuddyer
Other guys to keep your eyes on: Troy Glaus, Martin Prado, Chris Davis, Garrett Atkins, Gaby Sanchez.
You can e-mail your Fantasy Baseball questions to unclecharlie@fantasybaseballgeeks.com
so you put agon and morneua ahead of Howard in that tier? or does the listing have no relevance?
If it does then why does Howard go a round before agon and about 4 rounds before Morneua? Howard is the one of about 3-4 players in the game that can go 45/150. Pujols, Fielder, and Arod are about the ONLY other 3 that can do it. His strike outs are overrated for the offensive output you get. He is a career .279 hitter, not too shabby, he bumps that up for a .290 season or has another 2006 season where he goes over .300? wow. Probably wont happen, but at least you know you’re getting 45/140.
are the K’s that big of a difference maker in H2H points?
Yes, Ty. The k’s make an enormous difference in H2H scoring. For instance, Reynolds hit 44 HR and stole 24 bases last season, but he struck out 223 times. This allowed him to finish behind guys like Konerko and Jose Lopez which is absurd to the blind eye. You could argue I was a little harsh on Ryan Howard, but I don’t buy into him hitting .280 or higher every year. Looking back he should be bumped up a couple spots. Thanks for the feedback!