Top 10 MLB First Basemen

Next part in this series! Looking at first basemen this time around. Top 10 MLB dudes and then top 5 prospects. Remember, this is based on value. It's a composite of stats, ratings, age, contract, etc. It's not based solely on one of those components.


Top 10 MLB First Basemen

Let me just say there are a ton of very good 1B's out there right now. I think I started with 20 of them on this list before trimming it down. Probably the deepest position in the league at this point.



10. Darin Erstad, Anaheim Angels
Age: 25
Ratings: G/A/F/A/G/B, B range
1999 season: .327/.376/.449, 11 HRs, 67 RBIs, 86.5 RC

This dude is the bane of my existence right now. He's a huge reason why the Angels are sitting atop the Wild Card standings and are pushing up on the A's. He may not walk as much as his ratings say he should, but he also never strikes out. Putting the ball in play is such an underrated tool, and Erstad does it all of the time. He does lack a little power and has an extreme split vs. lefties, but he makes up for it by absolutely crushing right handed pitching. Darin is only 25, which means he has even more room to grow, and already is 2nd on the team in runs created (without any power!). He's legit. Time for everybody to recognize.


9. Greg Colbrunn, Minnesota Twins
Age: 30
Ratings: G/A/F/G/F/G, A range
1999 season: .314/.364/.459, 15 HRs, 80 RBIs, 78.4 RC

Didn't expect to see Greg Colbrunn on this list did you? Well here he is and boy does he belong. His ratings may not be flashy and his stats may not blow you away, but he's your classic Steady Eddy and there's a ton of value in that. He could definitely use a little more pop being a 1B, but he gets on base and doesn't have an extreme split, which again, holds a ton of value. If you look past his 1996 season, where he didn't even play full time, he's averaged .315/.355/.485 slash line. That's awesome. I'd take that everyday. Again, nothing glitzy about Colbrunn, just a guy you can count on everyday.


8. Troy Neel, Milwaukee Brewers
Age: 33
Ratings: G/A/P/A/B/F, E range
1999 season: .270/.372/.441, 17 HRs, 89 RBIs, 80.3 RC

If you couldn't tell by now, I'm an OBP whore. I love it. Especially in corner infielders. Neel fits the bill. Last year he sported a .404 OBP and this year a .372. His BABIP must be off this season because his average is lagging and causing his OBP to fall as well. Regardless, Neel is having a fantastic season. Where does Steve hide these guys? Being a left handed bat you'd expect a horrible split, but it's not terrible. He's actually quite playable against southpaws. If Neel has a solid last month I think the Brewers could sneak in the Wild Card race. Somebody should tell Steve to bat him 2nd or 3rd... yikes.


7. Richie Sexson, Los Angeles Dodgers / Derrek Lee, San Diego Padres
RS Age: 24
RS Ratings: A/G/P/G/G/P, E range
RS 1999 season: .262/.331/.496, 25 HRs, 73 RBIs, 71.2 RC
DL Age: 23
DL Ratings: G/G/P/B/A/A, B range
DL 1999 season: .278/.327/.438, 12 HRs, 33 RBIs, 50.2 RC

I thought Richie and Derrek were almost carbon copies of each other so I decided to group them together. They both hit for power (Richie this year, Derrek last year), they both get OBP at a similar, albeit weak rate, and they're both under 25. So you can see how and why I couldn't separate them. I'm a little concerned as to why D-Lee's power all of a sudden disappeared. Part of it probably has to do with Aaron not putting him in the starting lineup for some reason I can't really understand. Keeping his arbitration number low is hardly a reason in my book especially with an already paltry team salary. Going forward I think I would take Lee over Sexson by a smidge. I think Sexson's propensity for the strikeout could hurt him long term, but he'll still be a superstar.


6. John Olerud, Philadelphia Phillies
Age: 31
Ratings: G/G/P/G/B/G, C range
1999 season: .326/.417/.546, 19 HRs, 70 RBIs, 105.3 RC

John Olerud is my whet dream. OMG @ that OBP. Obviously, somewhere along the line Johnny got some great PDs that stuck. He's an absolute monster. His stats have improved in each season of BBSBL and he shows no signs of letting off the gas pedal. His only downfall is those gosh darn left handed pitchers. He's good, but not great against them. Lefties have a hard time in this league, huh? Olerud plays really good defense, gets OBP, and is signed to a very team friendly deal. He's perfect... well almost.


5. Jeff Kent, Oakland Athletics
Age: 31
Ratings: G/B/F/G/A/A, D range
1999 season: .334/.380/.577, 24 HRs, 104 RBIs, 113.8 RC

Alright let's talk about the contract first. It's ugly. It was also the only way Broph was definitely keeping Kent in Oakland. It had to happen. I think I've proven $20M contracts can be moved, and moved for valuable pieces. So I don't consider the contract too much of a value depresser mostly because Kent can flat out rake. He may look weird listed as a 1B, but the dude hits like one. Never less than 20 HRs in a BBSBL season. Wow. Sure Ashes built him into what he is now, but he still started out pretty awesome. I'd expect him to top 30 HRs for the first time this season and stay there consistently. Great mix of power and OBP.


4. Lance Berkman, Cincinnati Reds
Age: 23
Ratings: G/G/F/G/B/A, D range
1999 season: .322/.436/.515, 18 HRs, 87 RBIs, 109.4 RC

I hope this is stutter's only player I have to write about because I hate complimenting him in any way. The Big Puma is really, really good. Like wow. He'd be the top 1B in any league if it weren't for the three guys in front of him. He turned a solid freshman season into a super sophomore year. Berkman gets on base like nobody's business, is about to top last year' HR total, and doesn't have nasty splits. The cherry on top is that stutter will get 3 more years of team control. Pretty much means that he's got 3 seasons to turn his team into something good before Berkman becomes a Yankee. See you in 2003 Lance!


3. Jeff Bagwell, Houston Astros
Age: 31
Ratings: A/G/F/B/B/G, B range
1999 season: .274/.396/.605, 38 HRs, 107 RBIs, 122.2 RC

Holy mother of pearl. Bags. As in pack your bags ball because you're leaving the park via a Jeff Bagwell smack down. This is Chris's second top 3 player and it's like damn share the wealth bro! Bagwell is all man. He's hit no less than 29 HRs in BBSBL so far and he's going to top out around 45 this season. He's also looking to post his 2nd consecutive 1.000+ OPS season in a row. That's pretty unheard of. Not even the guy at #1 has done that in BBSBL. Add in the amazing contract and it's like why isn't this guy higher? Oh yeah...


2. Todd Helton, Toronto Blue Jays
Age: 26
Ratings: B/B/P/G/G/G, C range
1999 season: .338/.420/.545, 18 HRs, 91 RBIs, 116.6 RC

Remember when Helton was traded for two mediocre pitchers... and the team trading him gave up a 1st as well!?!? Ouch. Boy does that GM look like a really dummy at this point. Helton is probably (didn't really check, just assuming) the best hitter under 30 years old. He's got all the ratings you look for and he puts up the stats to match. A part of me feels like he could be more though. Game has done nothing to surround him with talent and I think he'll just keep putting up these pedestrian (yes, they are great pedestrian) numbers and be ho hum instead of WOWOWOW. His age combined with the ratings and stats make him the most untradeable player. It's up to Game to make him a winner.


1. Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox
Age: 31
Ratings: G/A/P/B/B/A, C range
1999 season: .339/.431/.693, 44 HRs, 151 RBIs, 154.2 RC

Um yeah do I need to explain that stat line? Did you know there's still a month left to be played? Talk about a big hurt. Talk about the rest of the league being butt hurt. When you look up the word manbeast in the dictionary, there's a picture of Frank Thomas. 32, 47, 47, 44. Those are his HRs by year. The 44 will finish above 50 this season. That's absurd. Especially when you consider he doesn't play in Coors. A great, team-friendly contract as well. There's just nothing bad to say about this guy. He absolutely is the best 1B in the league. Helton may be younger, but he's never put up the HR totals Frank has. That's the separation. Closed case.

Guys who just missed the cut: Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Eric Karros, Tino Martinez, Tony Clark, Henry Rodriguez, Greg Colbrunn


Top 5 First Baseman Prospects


5. David Ortiz, Oakland Athletics
Age: 23
Ratings: G/B/P/G/G/A, D range
MLB ETA: 2000

Papi doesn't have the significant ratings that the other guys on this list have, but he is the closest to the bigs and he is crushing AAA pitching right now. I think Broph would have called him up if he was needed by now. He'll reach the bigs next year and stroke doubles like it's his job.


4. Jack Cust, Baltimore Orioles
Age: 20
Ratings: G/A/P/B/G/G, D range
MLB ETA: 2001

Jack had a great PD to get him to where he is now - and where he is now is amazing. He should be higher on this list, but I'm not a fan of how he's hitting right now. Kind of sluggish for my liking. If Jah is smart he'll use Cust as trade bait, but maybe he's grooming him to take over for Palmeiro? Either way Cust will be dominant in the bigs.


3. Albert Pujols, Cleveland Indians
Age: 19
Ratings: B/B/P/A/G/B, B range
MLB ETA: 2001

Pujols already suffered a pretty significant PD to his HRs, which sucks pretty hard. Nonetheless, he'll still be a guy who hits .330 with a .400 OBP season in and season out. Instead of hitting 30 homers, maybe he's only a 20 homer guy though. Tough break. Karma?


2. Carlos Pena, New York Mets
Age: 21
Ratings: G/G/P/B/B/A, A range
MLB ETA: 2000

James did a good job of grabbing Pena from Play. Play did a great job of making Pena into what he is now. So thank him James! Carlos will dominate. .400+ OBP coupled with 40+ HRs every year will make him a constant MVP threat. Sick.


1. Miguel Cabrea, Florida Marlins
Age: 16
Ratings: B/B/P/G/G/A, D range
MLB ETA: 2003+

I'll admit I may have been gun shy in not giving Cabrera the brilliant in homers. Even so, the dude is a total stud. He's 16 and already playing in AAA. Unheard of. And he's tearing it up there! Can't wait for this guy to get to the bigs. He's just exciting.

Close, but no cigar: Justin Morneau (STL), Glenn Davis (ANA), Travis Hafner (TEX), Mark Poarch (PIT), Kenneth Greenwalt (LAD)


Sweet. Told you it was a deep pool to pick from - even the prospects. Hopefully second basemen tomorrow! Vote! Thanks!