Hi Everyone. With all sports being postponed due to COVID-19, you still have more time to draft your fantasy baseball team! Throughout this ranking series, I will give my top 10 C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, OF, SP, and RP. Today’s countdown is all about the first basemen. In today’s game, the first base position is very deep, but sometimes can be difficult to choose who the best pick is for your fantasy team. The main statistics I will be using for a hitter are AVG, R, HR, RBI, and SB because these are the five categories for hitters in fantasy baseball. I think I’ve done enough talking, so let’s get right into my Top 10 Rankings: First Basemen

10. Luke Voit, New York Yankees

Starting off my top 10 first basemen countdown is Luke Voit. The Yankee’s first baseman opened major league baseball’s eyes in 2018 after he was traded from the Cardinals to the Yankees. In just 39 games with the Yankees, Luke hit 15 dingers and batted an impressive .333. I understand that 39 games is a small sample size, but Voit showed off his potential. During the 2019 season, Voit had another respectable year, as he hit 21 HRs, 62 RBIs and batted .261. Voit missed a good chunk of the 2019 season, as he only played in 118 games. Batting behind Judge, Stanton, LeMahieu, Sanchez, etc. is any hitter’s dream, which further helps Voit’s case. If Voit can stay healthy this upcoming season, he will definitely be a solid first baseman.

9. Rhys Hoskins, Philadelphia Phillies

Coming in at number 9 on my top 10 fantasy baseball first basemen, is Philadelphia’s, Rhys Hoskins. After bursting onto the scene in 2017, Hoskins has continued to show off his incredible power and durability. In the 2019 season, Hoskins played in 160 games. Injuries are very relevant in today’s game, so having a starter who is in there day in and day out is a huge plus. Hoskins managed to hit 29 dingers, drive in 85 runs, and score 86 times. The only weakness to Hoskins game is his average, but considering he has tons of power, scores, and drives in a lot of runs, and stays healthy, Hoskins is a solid draft selection. Batting behind Bryce Harper is also a luxury for Hoskins. Rhys Hoskins is destined for another home run-heavy and healthy season.

8. Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers

Coming in at number 8 on my top 10 fantasy baseball first basemen countdown is Max Muncy. The Dodger left-hander seems to keep improving every year. In 2019 hit 35 HRs with 98 RBIs and 101 runs scored. Muncy put up these impressive numbers in 141 games while keeping his batting average at a modest .251. If you need a little versatility on your team, Muncy plays 1B, 2B, and 3B, giving him even more value because he gives the fantasy owner more options. Being a hitter on the Dodgers this year will certainly give Muncy countless opportunities to drive-in more runs, and improve his already impressive stats. If you need a first baseman who can do a little bit of everything with the bat and in the field, look no further than Max Muncy.

7. Matt Olson, Oakland Athletics

Ranking 7 on my top 10 fantasy first basemen list is Oakland’s, Matt Olson. Like the previous three first basemen on this list, Olson is a true power hitter. In 2019 Olson hit 36 HRs, 91 RBIs while maintaining a .267 average. Great numbers from Olson, however, a hand injury only allowed Olson to play in 127 games. Hitting 36 HRs in 162 games is a great accomplishment, but hitting 36 HRs while just playing in 78 percent of the games is quite impressive. Olson has shown extreme durability in the past. In 2018 Olson played all 162 games, which is almost unheard of nowadays. Olson is a great first baseman to have, who provides extreme power.

6. Josh Bell, Pittsburgh Pirates

Making this list out of nowhere is Josh Bell. In his first three years of his major league career, Bell put together one good year, which was in 2017. In 2019, Bell broke out. I think broke out is an understatement because of the jaw-dropping numbers Bell put up. In 143 games played, Bell hit 37 bombs, drove in 116 runners, scored 94 times, and hit for an average of .277.

Unlike Muncy or Voit, Bell didn’t have three or more sluggers to bat behind. Josh Bell was the offense for the Pirates in 2019. In the first half of the year, Bell was one of the front runners for MVP, but in the second half, he cooled down a little, but still earned his first all-star selection. The only thing that worries me is the team Bell is on, but a guy with this kind of talent cannot be avoided because he’s on the Pirates.

5. Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox

Making the top five fantasy baseball first baseman is Chicago’s, Jose Abreu. After his worst year numbers-wise in 2018, Abreu had a very nice bounce-back in 2019. Abreu hit for an average of .284, 33 HRs, and 123 RBIs, which led the AL. Being on a revamped White Sox team will give Abreu many more opportunities to drive in and score runs. Throughout his six-year career, Jose has put up great numbers. His career average is .293, he has 611 career RBIs, averaging more than 100 per year, and 179 homers, which is about 30 homers a year. Jose Abreu has put up amazing numbers throughout his career, and I think 2019 will be no different. Abreu is definitely a first baseman that you’re going to want to have this season.

4. Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals

Coming in at my number four fantasy baseball first basemen is Paul Goldschmidt. The former D-Back and now Cardinal didn’t put up the kind of numbers that everyone is used to during the 2019 season. Goldy hit .260 with 34 HRs and 97 RBIs. Goldschmidt still had a good season, but he can definitely improve on these numbers, especially the average. Unlike the other first basemen on this list, Paul has speed. In 2016, Goldschmidt stole 32 bases. I understand that Goldschmidt is getting older, but he definitely posses SB capabilities. Paul’s durability is also outstanding. In his nine-year career, Goldschmidt has played in 150+ games, six times. Due to Goldschmidt’s off 2019 season, he may drop a few rounds in the draft, but don’t be afraid to draft Goldy because he is still one of the best first basemen in today’s game.

3. Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs

Cracking the top three fantasy baseball first basemen is Anthony Rizzo. The Cub’s first baseman had yet another dominant season. Rizzo hit for an average of .293 while blasting 27 homers, and driving in 94. For the last eight years now, Rizzo has been a consistent and reliable fantasy first basemen. Similarly to Paul Goldschmidt, Rizzo has played in 150+ games in five out of his nine seasons in the majors. Rizzo has been able to balance putting up big numbers while staying healthy. Rizzo does possess a bit of speed, as he stole 17 bases in 2015. Anthony Rizzo and Paul Goldschmidt have a lot of similarities, but I gave the edge to Rizzo due to his being on a better offensive team.

2. Pete Alonso, New York Mets

Wasting no time to make the top ten fantasy baseball first baseman is Pete Alonso. Alonso’s rookie season was one that baseball fans, and certainly Met fans, won’t be forgetting anytime soon. In 161 games, Polar Bear Pete hit 53 dingers, which led the major leagues. Along with his 53 HRs, Alonso batted in 120 RBIs, scored 103 times, and hit for an average of .260. Pete’s rookie year is one of the more historic rookie seasons, and his stellar play lands him the number two fantasy baseball first baseman. It would be very hard for Alonso to replicate his rookie season, but the young talent that Alonso brings is what makes him such a desirable fantasy player.

1. Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves

The number one fantasy baseball first baseman is… Freddie Freeman! The long time Brave continues to produce at an elite level each and every year. In 2019, Freeman’s average was .295, he hit 38 homers, 121 RBIs, and scored 113 times, while playing in 158 games. Freeman is an established hitter, who is in his prime and is on a great team. All of the fantasy tests that a player must pass in order to be drafted are easily passed by Freddie Freeman. The reason that I ranked Freddie Freeman over Pete Alonso was because of Freeman’s consistency. As a fantasy owner, I know what I’m getting with Freddie Freeman. He has proved over his 10-year career that he is a consistent and elite hitter. Alonso has only played one season, and even though it was a historic season, I like the clarity I get when drafting Freeman.

If you missed out on my top 10 fantasy baseball catchers, don’t worry, you can still check it out!

Stay tuned for my top 10 fantasy baseball second basemen!

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