Below are the rankings of first base for the 2020 fantasy season. The listed was last updated on January 19, 2020.
1. Cody Bellinger (LAD) As a 24-year-old, Bellinger had a season for the ages. He upped the ante across the board, setting career highs in every offensive category. Bellinger is a Top-5 offensive talent heading into 2020 drafts. OF-136
2. Freddie Freeman (ATL) The home run numbers might fluctuate year-to-year, but with Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies hitting in front of you, the RBI opportunities are definitely there for the taking, and take ‘em he will.
3. Pete Alonso (NYM) When you hit 53 bombs as a rookie, it’s easy to yell at the top of your lungs that the power will regress. I’m more concerned about the 183 strikeouts and sustaining a decent BA.
4. Matt Olson (OAK) 36 homers in a season that started a month late due to a “power-sapping” hamate injury is some impressive. I wouldn’t at all be surprised come year-end to see Olson being ranked as the third-best at the “other hot corner”.
5. Anthony Rizzo (CHC) Since that 2014 breakout season, Rizzo has been the consummate model of consistency. If one is searching for a safe floor, you won’t find a better choice.
6. Jose Abreu (CWS) Four-of-his-six seasons he has bested 30 homers. Five-of-his-six seasons he has bested 100 RBI. The surrounding cast is strong. There’s a 30-100 season waiting in the wings.
7. Josh Bell (PIT) It was a tale of two cities. The first half was flat-out outstanding. The second half, not so much. Bell has the potential to elevate his game to the elite level. 2020 could very well be the year that comes to fruition.
8. DJ LeMahieu (NYY) When an eight-year veteran hits a third of his career home runs in the 2019 season it has to be somewhat concerning. When that player also has a proven solid hit tool like DJ LeMahieu and is eligible to play all over the infield….it helps in alleviating those concerns. 2B-75, 3B-52
9. Paul Goldschmidt (STL) Goldschmidt enjoyed an amazing bounceback in the second half to once again post great numbers, minus the once-great speed game. The problem is he needed to bounceback.
10. Max Muncy (LAD) We have now witnessed back-to-back 35 home run seasons from the late bloomer. Toss in the fact that he is eligible to be rostered all over the infield and there’s a lot to like. 2B-70, 3B-35
11. Edwin Encarnacion (CWS) The last time that Encarnacion failed to hit at least 30 homers was 2011. That won’t change with his move to the White Sox.
12. Trey Mancini (BAL) The promise shown in that solid rookie campaign failed to materialize as a sophomore. He more than made up for it in his third season and expect that trend to continue moving forward. OF-93
13. Rhys Hoskins (PHI) The power fell. The BA….the same. The strikeouts rose, all 173 of them. 2019 was a season that Rhys Hoskins and the Phillies would like to forget. Let’s hope that 2020 allows them to do exactly that.
14. Carlos Santana (CLE) His lowest single-season OBP in his full ten-year career is .351. Bump him up a round or two if you’re playing in a league that uses OBP as a category.
15. Danny Santana (TEX) Santana was one of only nine players to go 20-20 in 2019. A one-off or late bloomer? He did steal 20 bases back in 2014, his first full season with the Twins and should be a lock for 500 at-bats in Texas. That speed will make a difference, as will the outfield eligibility. OF-51
16. Eric Hosmer (SD) Perfectly safe, perfectly boring, and seemingly undervalued based on his current 221.4 ADP. 20-90 with a .260 BA in the mid-teen rounds is a perfect opportunity.
17. Christian Walker (ARZ) He finally got the opportunity to be an everyday player and delivered on that power potential he demonstrated for years down on the farm. A 30-80 type season with a handful of thefts in the early-teen Rounds makes for a solid buy.
18. Yasmani Grandal (CWS) In all likelihood you won’t use him at first base, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. C-137
19. Yuli Gurriel (HOU) 18-13-31. One of these numbers is not like the others. I’m setting the over/under in 2020 at 20 homers for the 36-year-old and taking the under.
20. Joey Votto (CIN) In a season in which we saw an explosion in homers, Joey Votto hit 15. He also saw his OBP slip to a very mediocre (at least for Votto) .357, a drop from .417. Need I say more?
21. Garrett Cooper (MIA) Making contact was never an issue for Cooper. Hitting for power, now that’s a different story. The above-average exit velocity combined with even a slight uptick in launch angle and we could be looking at a 25 home run bat with a solid hit tool. OF-31
22. Luke Voit (NYY) I have very little doubt that given the opportunity, Voit could hit thirty homers. I just don’t believe he’ll be given that opportunity.
23. Joc Pederson (LAD) Yes, Joc Pederson is a platoon player. It’s fair to say that he won’t see many at-bats against southpaws. At the same time, he also launched 36 bombs in 2019. That level of power simply can’t be ignored. OF-122
24. Daniel Murphy (COL) 2016 and 2017 seem oh so long ago.
25. Albert Pujols (LAA) The march to Cooperstown continues. Even at the advanced age of 40, he should have another 20-90 season in the tank.
26. C.J. Cron (DET) First he was DFA’d by the Rays after hitting a career-high
30 homers in 2018. He followed that up by being non-tendered by the Twins after a 25 homer campaign. He’ll most likely hit 30 homers in 2020 and once again be on the outside looking in come December.
27. Daniel Vogelbach (SEA) Pencil in 30+ homers and a Mendoza line type BA.
28. Renato Nunez (BAL) Pencil in 30+ homers and a .300 OBP.
29. Brandon Belt (SF) Will he ever reach the magical 20 home run mark?
30. Yandy Diaz (TB) So much potential. So little health. 3B-50
31. Marwin Gonzalez (MIN) 3B-40, OF-59
32. Ji-Man Choi (TB)
33. Miguel Cabrera (DET)
34. Michael Chavis (BOS) 2B-45
35. Eric Thames (WAS)
36. Justin Smoak (MIL)
37. Jesus Aguilar (MIA)
38. Evan White (SEA)
39. Rowdy Tellez (TOR)
40. Jake Bauers (CLE) OF-53
41. Travis d’Arnaud (ATL) C-85
42. Chris Davis (BAL)
43. Jeimer Candelario (DET) 3B-69
44. Nate Lowe (TB)
45. Howie Kendrick (WAS) 2B-23
46. Ronald Guzman (TEX)
47. Ryan Zimmerman (FA)
48. Dominic Smith (NYM) OF-33
49. Ehire Adrianza (MIN) SS-24, 3B-24
50. Ryan O’Hearn (KC)
51. Lewin Diaz (MIA)
52. Austin Nola (SEA)
53. Matt Beaty (LAD) OF-36
54. Ryan Mountcastle (BAL)
55. Mitch Moreland (FA)
56. Matt Adams (FA)
57. Aledmys Diaz (HOU) 2B-25
58. Brandon Dixon (DET) OF-33
59. Jake Lamb (ARZ) 3B-36
60. Victor Caratini (CHC) C-59
61. Tyler Nevin (COL)
62. Bobby Bradley (CLE)
63. Jose Osuna (PIT) OF-25
64. Seth Beer (ARZ)
65. Neil Walker (FA) 3B-26
66. Pablo Sandoval (SF) 3B-45
67. Logan Forsythe (FA) 3B-33
68. Yonder Alonso (FA)
