2007 First Base Rankings

2007 Top 15 First Base Rankings


Albert Pujols

1. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

2006 stats: .331 average, 535 at-bats, 119 runs, 49 home runs, 137 RBI, 33 doubles, 1 triple, 7 stolen bases, 92 walks, 50 strikeouts, 143 games.

2007 outlook: Future Hall-Of-Famer. #1 overall pick. Enough said.

2. Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies

2006 stats: .313 average, 581 at-bats, 104 runs, 58 home runs, 149 RBI, 25 doubles, 1 triple, 0 stolen bases, 108 walks, 181 strikeouts, 159 games.

2007 outlook: Howard could eclipse 60 home runs in 2007, especially because he calls Citizens Bank Park home.

3. Lance Berkman, Houston Astros

2006 stats: .315 average, 536 at-bats, 95 runs, 45 home runs, 136 RBI, 29 doubles, 0 triples, 3 stolen bases, 98 walks, 106 strike outs, 152 games.

2007 outlook: After missing 30 games in 2005, Berkman returned to full health in 2006 and established new career marks in home runs (45) and RBI (136) at his new position. The addition of slugger Carlos Lee to the Astros lineup will provide protection for Berkman in the heart of the order.

4. Mark Teixeira, Texas Rangers

2006 stats: .282 average, 628 at-bats, 99 runs, 33 home runs, 110 RBI, 45 doubles, 1 triple, 2 stolen bases, 89 walks, 128 strikeouts, 162 games.

2007 outlook: Teixeira quietly amassed another strong season in Texas and played in every game for the second consecutive season. He topped 30 home runs and 100 RBI for the third consecutive season. He's now entering the prime of his career (he'll turn 27 in April) and will, no doubt, continue to dominate in hitter-friendly Ameriquest Field.

5. Derrek Lee, Chicago Cubs

2006 stats: .286 average, 175 at-bats, 30 runs, 8 home runs, 30 RBI, 9 doubles, 0 triples, 8 stolen bases, 25 walks, 41 strikeouts, 50 games.

2007 outlook: Lee was limited to 50 games over parts of five months in 06. Owners looking ahead to 2007 were encouraged to see Lee return with a strong September in which he hit .295 with four home runs and 13 RBI. Lee had hit at least 21 home runs in six consecutive seasons prior to his injury-shortened 2006 season. Lee has averaged 15 stolen bases per season over his last five campaigns.

6. Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins

2006 stats: .321 average, 592 at-bats, 97 runs, 34 home runs, 130 RBI, 37 doubles, 1 triple, 3 stolen bases, 53 walks, 93 strikeouts, 157 games.

2007 outlook: Morneau, the A.L.'s surprise MVP, finally had a break-out season last year. He had been one of the top hitting prospects in the majors but inconsistency and fluke injuries held him back. He has one of the game's purest strokes and good power to all fields, so a repeat performance in 07 is likely.

7. Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox

2006 stats: .313 average, 566 at-bats, 97 runs, 35 home runs, 113 RBI, 30 doubles, 0 triples, 1 stolen base, 60 walks, 104 strikeouts, 152 games.

2007 outlook: Last season, Konerko established a new career-high with a .313 batting average. Konerko has averaged 38 home runs and 110 RBI over the past three seasons while appearing in at least 152 games in each season. He will be surrounded by a potent offense (Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye and Joe Crede) with half of his games in homer-happy U.S. Cellular Field. The 30 year old is in his prime, and is a solid pick on draft day.

8. Carlos Delgado, New York Mets

2006 stats: .265 average, 524 at-bats, 89 runs, 38 home runs, 114 RBI, 30 doubles, 2 triples, 0 stolen bases, 74 walks, 120 strikeouts, 144 games.

2007 outlook: Delgado slammed 38 home runs with 114 RBI in 06. It marked his 10th consecutive season with at least 30 home runs and 91 RBI (eight 100-RBI campaigns during that stretch). Jose Reyes and David Wright will continue to set up the slugger to drive in 100 plus runs in 07. His batting average is the only question mark, in the last 4 years he has hit above .300 twice and below .270 twice (.265 last year).

9. Jason Giambi, New York Yankees

2006 stats: .253 average, 446 at-bats, 92 runs, 37 home runs, 113 RBI, 25 doubles, 0 triples, 2 stolen bases, 110 walks, 106 strikeouts, 139 games.

2007 outlook: The Yankees will use the 36 year old Giambi as their full time DH in an effort to keep him healthy. After a dismal 2004 season, Giambi has now topped 30 home runs in two consecutive seasons, averaging 100 RBI and 83 runs scored. Giambi slammed 30 or more home runs in seven of the past eight seasons. The only knock on Giambi in recent years is the fact that he's gone four seasons without hitting .300. Hitting in a great lineup, expect 30 plus homers and great run production.

10. Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers

2006 stats: .271 average, 569 at-bats, 82 runs, 28 home runs, 81 RBI, 35 doubles, 1 triple, 7 stolen bases, 59 walks, 125 strikeouts, 157 games.

2007 outlook: Prince should improve after a successful first full season in the majors last year. His power production was consistent throughout the season, but he still needs to avoid prolonged slumps that sent him to three full months with a sub-.240 batting average (still managed to hit .271 for the year). Big Daddy's little boy (6-0, 260) will hit his fair share of homers in 07, and he could get you an SB or two as he stole 7 last year.

11. Adam LaRoche, Atlanta Braves

2006 stats: .285 average, 492 at-bats, 89 runs, 32 home runs, 90 RBI, 38 doubles, 1 triple, 0 stolen bases, 55 walks, 128 strikeouts, 149 games.

2007 outlook: LaRoche ripped 32 home runs with 90 RBI and hit a strong .285, laying rest to some concerns about his high strikeout rate. Additionally, LaRoche improved his batting average 26 points while posting better power numbers (23 more extra-base hits over 2005). This season, he will be playing his home games at PNC Park, a more favorable hitters' park than Turner Field.

12. Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies

2006 stats: .302 average, 546 at-bats, 94 runs, 15 home runs, 81 RBI, 40 doubles, 5 triples, 3 stolen bases, 91 walks, 64 strikeouts, 145 games.

2007 outlook: Helton stands as a player who might be a draft-day bargain this year because of his home run production in 2006. His .302 batting average and 15 home runs were career-lows for a full season. A return to form is certainly possible, as Helton is only 33 years old, but his declining home runs totals over the past several years are a cause for concern. Helton has hit 67 or more extra-base hits in eight consecutive seasons and carries a career. 333 batting average (.371 lifetime at Coors Field). A rebound season could be in the works.

13. Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego Padres

2006 stats: .304 average, 570 at-bats, 83 runs, 24 home runs, 82 RBI, 38 doubles, 1 triple, 0 stolen bases, 52 walks, 113 strikeouts, 156 games.

2007 outlook: Gonzalez will continue to improve on a solid 06 campaign, his first full season in the majors. He hit 24 home runs with 84 RBI, very impressive considering he plays his home games at PETCO Park. Expect the 24 year old to slightly improve upon last years numbers.

14. Richie Sexson, Seattle Mariners

2006 stats: .264 average, 591 at-bats, 75 runs, 34 home runs, 107 RBI, 40 doubles, 0 triples, 1 stolen base, 64 walks, 154 strikeouts, 158 games.

2007 outlook: Sexson hit .205 for the first two months of the year and .294 for the final four months, including .365 with six home runs and 18 RBI in September. Sexson achieved his fifth 100-RBI season in the last six years and slammed a career-best 40 doubles. Richie will get you 30 plus HR and 100 plus RBI if you can live with his historic slow start to the season (career--.247 in April, .247 in May).

15. Nick Swisher, Oakland Athletics

2006 stats: .254 average, 556 at-bats, 106 runs, 35 home runs, 95 RBI, 24 doubles, 2 triples, 1 stolen base, 97 walks, 152 strikeouts, 157 games.

2007 outlook: Last season, Swisher pounded 35 HR with close to 100 RBI (95). He is a streaky hitter, after starting hot last year (.327, 10 HR, 28 RBI in first 29 games), he went cold in June (.204) and July (.188), then finished strong. The sluggers position versatility (1B & OF) is a plus for your fantasy team. Expect solid power numbers with a low average in 2007.

The best of the rest...

16. Lyle Overbay, Toronto Blue Jays
17. Nomar Garciaparra, Los Angeles Dodgers
18. Nick Johnson, Washington Nationals
19. Shea Hillenbrand, Los Angeles Angels
20. Conor Jackson, Arizona Diamondbacks
21. Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels
22. Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox
23. Mike Jacobs, Florida Marlins
24. Dan Johnson, Oakland Athletics
25. Ryan Shealy, Kansas City Royals