So continuing on with our look at the early draft trends over at Mock Draft Central we journey on to 1B. Nothing about these early trends are jumping out to me yet. First base should be your fantasy stalwart in the HR and RBI categories and as such, players are drafted that way. I will have my analysis after the chart, and who knows, there may be punch and pie there also.

Listed As DH:
|
1 (70) |
Michael Young |
DH,1B,3B |
TEX |
71.19 |
30 |
465 |
100.0% |
|
3 (119) |
Billy Butler |
DH |
KC |
123.28 |
70 |
-ND- |
99.4% |
|
7 (279) |
Adam Dunn |
DH,1B |
CHW |
228.39 |
128 |
-ND- |
58.6% |
|
8 (293) |
Edwin Encarnacion |
DH,1B,3B |
TOR |
229.51 |
127 |
-ND- |
49.5% |
Listed as OF:
|
25 (89) |
Lance Berkman |
OF,1B |
STL |
90.93 |
47 |
323 |
100.0%
|
|
27 (95) |
Michael Cuddyer |
OF,1B |
COL |
96.01 |
57 |
318 |
100.0% |
|
46 (189) |
Carlos Lee |
OF,1B |
HOU |
190.40 |
133 |
-ND- |
96.6% |
|
52 (205) |
Brandon Belt |
OF,1B |
SF |
206.73 |
138 |
-ND- |
90.2% |
|
73 (266) |
Lucas Duda |
OF,1B |
NYM |
226.85 |
156 |
-ND- |
72.0% |
- Like the picture has it, I have M-Cab number one overall. Him adding 3B, will make next year's fantasy forecasters claim that 3B is deep- well duh.
- On average it seems as though 4-5 1B are going in the first round. 1-2 more in the 2nd round. Basically logic is telling me that you can either take 1B in round 1 or you can then reach for the position later and get about 80% of the production as the top 6 first baseman.
- Ok, let me say that I like Paulie K. I'm not in love with him especially since his ADP, the 4th round, seems to be a consolation prize for people who miss out on one of the top 6. They get that "oh snap" reflex and say "I need a first baseman, because its too early for Morse or aren't sold on Hosmer". Konerko will still give you the 30 HR's your looking for but the 300 avg from last year could easily become 270. So basically, he becomes Teixeira-lite with 30 less runs scored.
- Mike Morse is my homeboy, whether he likes it or not. A 30 Hr guy that also has an OF eligibility in the 6th-7th round, I am cutting the line here to take him. Outfield (which we will get to next week) is modestly shallow. For the sake of comparison the 2 OF being drafted closest to him are Adam Jones and Drew Stubbs. I'd rather have the steals later in the draft, and pull a He-man, and say "I have the power".
- I'm lumping the next group together regardless of what the trends say. Ike Davis, Freddie Freeman and Paul Goldschmidt are all that 80% group I was talking about. If it's a standard league I would rather have Ike and Freeman, Goldschmidt needs the OBP stat to make him look prettier. Can't go wrong though if you miss out on a 1B in RD1-2 as long as you're getting that HR guy there instead (Joey Bats and Stanton).
- I wanna see more of Kendrys Morales and Ryan Howard to be anywhere close to sold on drafting them. Howard is reportedly going to miss the first month and I am passing already.
- I would happily take Carlos Pena in the 18th or later rounds, but only if I don't already have an average killer on the roster. His 4yr avg numbers in TB: 237/ 36 Hr / 101 RBI / 83 Runs. Now I'm not saying he gets to any of those numbers, but as your second 1B or CI those are some pretty numbers minus the Avg.
- From a deeper league view Daniel Murphy is a lottery ticket, who has multiple eligibility (1B, 3B, and 2B). If he can stay healthy and the Mets actually give him enough Ab's, he should be a decent end of draft gamble.
So my theory of drafting a 1B this year is either get one early or suffer with the 80% factor. Now that may play itself out if you get a huge bat somewhere's else in the first 2 rounds, but its hard to name more than 4 guys who will have better HR/RBI potential than the top 6 1B. So as always questions and comments are always welcome, and sorry I ate all the pie. Happy drafting.
LaHair
No one’s feeling Bryan “The Hair” LaHair? A left-handed power hitter in Wrigley finally getting his shot? GM already said Rizzo is too raw.
hifilofi - February 2, 2012
LaHair
Agree he should be on the list of drafted guys, another one is Parmelee.
smokeymcpots - February 2, 2012
Who should we consider the Sleepers here?
To me, Teix looks like one for sure. I think his counting stats should come pretty close to Fielder’s this year, who is drafted way ahead of him. People are overlooking the batting average differential.
Also, in what league was he drafted 328th? A Bizarro league?
The Congo Hammer - February 2, 2012
Sleepers
Tex at the end of Rd2/3 is definitely good to great value.
Freeman after Rd 10 is a moderate investment.
I personal like the value that Pena is giving right now at Rd 18 and beyond.
smokeymcpots - February 2, 2012
If Brandon Belt can come close to 500 AB's he will outperform half of this list
ViolentMike - February 2, 2012
Bochy
Is in the same mindset of Dusty.
smokeymcpots - February 2, 2012
Tulo Tex combo platter
I have been participating in many mock drafts this winter. I have been taking different draft slots and seeing if I can get Tulo in round 1 followed by selecting Teixeira in round 2. I not only like the combo but it worked out more times than not. A strategy others might find useful come draft day.
Fantasy Baseball Vision - February 2, 2012
If I can get Tulo, I’ll definitely give this a try.
CaptnAmerca - February 2, 2012
Good idea
I did one recently and paired Cano with Tex.
smokeymcpots - February 2, 2012
Butler
Where is Billy Butler? I know he’ll be a DH this season, but he should qualify in all leagues at first base for 2012.
M J 888 - February 2, 2012
MDC
Is kind of wonky when it comes to that they only include the position of greater games played. duda is another.
smokeymcpots - February 2, 2012
qualify for 1st?
Butler had 11 games at first, 142 at dh. In what type of fantasy baseball does this make him a firstbaseman?
tuna411 - February 3, 2012
ADDED
Added the guys that weren’t listed as the primary position of 1B to give this a little more justice
smokeymcpots - February 2, 2012
Have to laugh
at Trumbo going before Goldschmidt
sportsfreak2744 - February 2, 2012
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