2010 Fantasy Baseball: Top 10 First Basemen to Draft

In Fantasy Baseball, you normally look for power numbers from your first baseman. Those first basemen that are able to deliver more than that like, Alberto Pujols, move to the elite forefront of the position. Here then are the top 10 first baseman to select in a 2010 fantasy baseball draft.

Albert Pujols (Cardinals)

Consistency and the ability to deliver across all fantasy baseball categories set Albert Pujols apart from the rest of the field. Last season Pujols was good for 47 homers, 124 runs, 135 RBIs, 16 steals and a .327 Avg. Arguably the best hitter in the game, Pujols has never missed the 30-100-.300 mark since coming into the league in 2001. Chances are he will be gone with the first pick of the draft, if he isn't, take him if you can.

Ryan Howard (Phillies)

Howard is a HR and RBI machine, having posted +45 HR, +135 RBI seasons for four years in a row now. Batting in the middle of a hot Phillies lineup, Howard is a good bet to enjoy another such season. Add to that the fact that in 2009 Howard increased his average, scored 105 runs, and added 8 stolen bases, and you can see why Ryan will be gone by the end of the first round.

Prince Fielders (Brewers)

At 268 lbs Fielder is a mountain of a man who enjoyed a career year with 46 HRs, 141 RBIs, .and a 299 Average in 2009. A durable player who seldom misses a game, Fielder will score for you in all offensive categories except steals. If you can't get Pujols or Howard, then Fielder is a great consolation prize. Prince is another player who should go in the first round of the draft.

Mark Teixeira (Yankees)

Teixeria's first season in the pinstripes was everything it needed to be, and his offensive output was the best it has been since 2005. Mark ended the 2009 season with 39 HRs, 122 RBIs, 103 runs, and a .292 Avg. Given that he bats in the middle of a great Yankee lineup, and that he will be just 30 years old in April, Teixeria's best years may still be ahead of him. He will probably do no worse than he did last year, and his ceiling brings him close to the best for the position. You can count on Teixeira being gone before the end of round three.

Miguel Cabrera (Tigers)

Miguel Cabrera is as steady a hitter as they come. The 6-4, 240 lbs Venezuelan will be just 26 when the season begins and his best years may still be ahead of him. Last season Cabrera topped the 30 homer, 100 RBI plateau for the fifth time in six seasons and hit a sparkling .324. There is little reason to believe that for the next few seasons you won't get the same type of performance out of Cabrera, which would make him an even better choice in keeper leagues. Of course, Cabrera plays his home games in a pitcher friendly ballpark which should be taken into account.

Mark Reynolds (Diamondbacks)

It's all hit or miss with Reynolds whose 44 homers last year were balanced out by a MLB record 223 strikeouts. It was the second straight year that Reynolds struck out over 200 times. Still, Reynolds led all first basemen with 24 steals and improved his average to .260. What can you expect from Reynolds besides another +200 K year? You can expect 30-35 HRs, and over 100 runs and RBIs, which is not all that bad when all is said and done.

Justin Morneau (Twins)

Year in and year out, Morneau is an RBI machine. Though limited to just 135 games last season, the former AL MVP and All-Star game home run champ, still posted a 30 homers and 100 RBIs season. Over a full season, expect those numbers to return to the 35-120 range, and for Justin to flirt with a .300 average. Few hitters have been as steady as Morneau over the past four seasons, which makes drafting him for a fantasy team no-brainer.

Adrian Gonzalez (Padres)

If he played anywhere else, Gonzalez might be higher on this list. Playing for the Padres hurt Gonzalez's numbers last year as only 12 of his 40 homers were hit at home. It also did not help that opponents pitched around him, walking Adrian 119 times last season. The left-handed hitting Gonzalez will only be 27 when the season begins and his best power numbers may still be ahead of him, if San Diego can surround him with a few hitters who can protect him.

Adam Dunn (Nationals)

After 5 straight seasons of hitting 40 or more home runs, Dunn finished last season with 38. Still, his average was a career best .267, he scored 81 runs, and drove in 105 runs, proving that even in Washington, the 6-6, 275 lbs lefty can put up some great fantasy numbers. No longer able to get you stolen bases (he stole 19 in 2002), Dunn is still a very viable option at first base.

Lance Berkman (Astros)

Yes Berkman's numbers dipped last season, but chalk that up to injuries. Berkman is still a great hitter who plays in a hitter's ballpark and you can expect a return to the great numbers he has posted in the past. After all, Berkman is only a year removed from a 2008 season which saw him score 114 runs, and hit .312 with 29 homers and 18 stolen bases. No longer a 40 home run hitter, Berkman should still come through with a 30-100-.290 season. In 2010.

Statistical Sources:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/stats