2007 Position Battle: First Base
Los Angeles Angels
Candidates:
Casey Kotchman
Kendry Morales
Shea Hillenbrand
Howie Kendrick
Robb Quinlan
Edge: Casey Kotchman--We hesitated to name Kotchman as the leader, but he is probably ahead by a hair at this point. His 2006 season was basically wiped out by mononucleosis, but he felt good during winter ball and is ready to get back on track. Fellow youngster Kendry Morales is nipping at Kotchman's heels and may bring a better stick to the table. If neither Kotchman nor Morales works out, manager Mike Scioscia has plenty of other options in Shea Hillenbrand (the starting DH), Howie Kendrick (the starting second baseman), and Robb Quinlan (a backup at first and third). This competition is basically open heading into spring play.
Baltimore Orioles
Candidates:
Kevin Millar
Aubrey Huff
Jay Gibbons
Edge: Kevin Millar--Millar logged 98 games at first base for the Orioles in 2006, which is a big reason why he has an edge on the starting gig. Aubrey Huff will also see time at first base, and, on the first day of spring play, Jay Gibbons will get the start. Barring injuries, Millar, Huff, Gibbons, and Jay Payton will split the available time at three spots (first base, left field, DH), and manager Sam Perlozzo will be juggling the foursome all season.
Cleveland Indians
Candidates:
Casey Blake
Ryan Garko
Edge: Casey Blake--There's not much mystery here. Manager Eric Wedge recently told the Akron Beacon Journal that Blake would be the starting first baseman on Opening Day. So why did we include the Indians? Blake will only start at first when right-handers are on the mound. If a southpaw is twirling, he will head to right field. Oh, and he'll probably squeeze in a few starts at third base, too. Ryan Garko is Blake's main competition for time at first base, but Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez are also capable of logging time there. At the moment, Garko is simply trying to make the squad.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Candidates:
Ty Wigginton
Greg Norton
Edge: Ty Wigginton--Wigginton is set as the starting first baseman. For the moment. Wiggy's future depends on if Jorge Cantu can handle the second base job. And if Akinori Iwamura does his job at third. And if Jonny Gomes and/or Greg Norton hits well out of the DH spot. Wigginton moved around the diamond a lot in 2006, and he may need to do so again in the upcoming season. If Cantu and Iwamura excel, Wigginton will stick at first. If not, Ty will move around, and Norton will see time at first.
Oakland Athletics
Candidates:
Nick Swisher
Dan Johnson
Edge: Nick Swisher--Up until February 8, the Athletics appeared to be set with Swisher in left field and Dan Johnson at first base. What happened since that time? The A's signed outfielder Shannon Stewart and declared that the former Blue Jay and Twin would be a starter if he proved to be healthy this spring. Stewart's presence in left field pushes Swisher to first base and Johnson to the bench. Stewart has missed nearly as many games (218) as he's played (268) over the last three seasons, and his health is not a given. At the moment, though, he is feeling good, and that's bad news for Johnson.
March 8th, 2007 update: With recent injuries to Mark Kotsay (back surgery, out 8-12 weeks) and Bobby Kielty (arthroscopic knee surgery, out 3-6 weeks), it looks like the Athletics will start the season with Milton Bradley, Nick Swisher, and Shannon Stewart in the outfield and Dan Johnson at first base. All though, Erubiel Durazo could push Dan Johnson for playing time at first.
Kansas City Royals
Candidates:
Ryan Shealy
Ross Gload
Edge: Ryan Shealy--Shealy is the undisputed starter at first base, and we still like the 26-year-old's upside. However, manager Buddy Bell also speaks highly of Ross Gload, who is a backup first baseman and corner outfielder. If everything plays out as expected this spring, Mark Teahen and Emil Brown will be manning the corner outfield spots, and Gload won't find much action there. Thus, Bell may opt to give Gload an occasional look at first base. We're not worried about Shealy losing his job, but he may not see 600 at-bats either.
Atlanta Braves
Candidates:
Scott Thorman
Craig Wilson
Edge: Scott Thorman--Remember when the Braves first handed the job to Adam LaRoche but allowed Julio Franco to start against lefties? Manager Bobby Cox hasn't said he'll work a similar platoon with Thorman and Craig Wilson, but it isn't hard to envision. Thorman is a powerful left-handed swinger who owns the "everyday starter" tag. Wilson is a right-handed batter who owns a career .296 average and .938 OPS against southpaws. As happened to LaRoche in the past, Thorman may need to settle for 400-450 at-bats.
Source: Fanball.com
