Top 5 Rookie First Basemen - Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009

1. Kila Ka'aihue (Kansas City Royals)

2. Gaby Sanchez (Florida Marlins)

3. Kyle Blanks (San Diego Padres)

4. Joe Koshanksky (Colorado Rockies)

5. Christopher Marrero (Washington Nationals)

2009 Player Projections and Details

1. Kila Ka'aihue - 1B (Kansas City Royals)

So far not too many baseball fans know the name Kila Ka'aihue, let alone how to pronounce it (KEE-LA KAH-AH-E-HOO-AY), but the 24 year-old slugger absolutely mashed in the minors last year by hitting 37 home runs combined between Double-A and Triple-A. When rosters expanded in September the "Kila Monster" was called up to Kansas City, where he added an additional homer to his ledger in limited playing time. Now, with only the ineffective and overrated Mike Jacobs standing in his way, Kila is set to have a Chris Davis-like impact for the Royals in 2009. If he doesn't break camp with the big league club, he should still be up by May or June at the latest. If you're patient or willing to scoop him up sooner than later, you just might reap the benefits to the tune of around 25 home runs with a batting average in the .260-.270 range.

2. Gaby Sanchez - 1B (Florida Marlins)

Gaby Sanchez may not have the raw power of Ka'aihue, but he gets his fair share of home runs and quite a few doubles. He will also likely bat in the .260-.270 range, but unlike Ka'aihue, Sanchez will be given every opportunity to be named the opening day first baseman for the Fish. He probably won't be named rookie of the year, but he will get consistent at-bats and drive in around 70 runs. Sanchez also has the added bonus of being able to steal you around 10 bases from the 1B position.

3. Kyle Blanks - 1B (San Diego Padres)

You may be wondering how Kyle Blanks is going to get any playing time behind slugger Adrian Gonzalez. In full disclosure, this is assuming that A-Gon is traded at some point before the all-star break. Given the way the Padres traded away Khalil Greene and are now shopping Peavy, this is not a far-fetched scenario, particularly if Mr. Blanks does well in the minors to start the year. Blanks, like Gonzalez, is a solid defender at first, but more importantly he's a big strong guy who puts the bat on the ball. He's young at 22 years-old, but if he unlocks that power potential in a hurry, he could claim that starting job just as quick. If he's called up in June, he just might give you 15 homers and 60 RBIs.

4. Joe Koshansky - 1B (Colorado Rockies)

Joe Koshansky is talented with the bat, with big-time power potential, but he's blocked by Todd Helton and Garrett Atkins in Colorado. If Helton goes down with an injury and Atkins is traded, Koshansky could see quite a bit of playing time and put up some big numbers down the stretch, but if things remain as they are his playing time will be sporadic and his production will likely suffer. With playing time, he'll hit 25-30 homers, but if he's restricted to a bench role you might as well avoid him altogether.

5. Christopher Marrero - 1B (Washington Nationals)

Chris Marrero is a great hitting prospect, but he is not without question marks. His 2008 season ended in June with a broken right fibula, and he should be healthy to start the 2009 season, but that lost development time may have derailed his fast track to the majors. With Nick Johnson holding down first base for the Nationals, Marrero will be given the job once he's ready, and GM Jim Bowden has rushed prospects in the past, but don't expect Marrero, who won't turn 20 until July 2, to be called up until after the all-star break at the earliest. If you're hurting for a decent first baseman toward the end of the season, feel free to take a flier on Marrero, who ought to be able to give you some homers and RBI's, albeit with a fairly low .avg, once he's up.

Others to keep in mind: Travis Ishikawa (San Francisco Giants), Justin Smoak (Texas Rangers)