For the following weeks I will be ranking players for the upcoming season. I will be looking at previous seasons, their 2016 season and projectability.
First Basemen
5. Braves First Basemen:
Freddie Freeman had the most under the radar season in 2016. He batted .302 with a .400 On Base Percentage and a .569 slugging percentage on a team that was going no where in the NL East. What I loved about his season he had career highs in homeruns, Runs, and stolen bases. Freeman is also only 26 years old, and provides stellar defense. Freeman beat out players like Encarcion, Myers, and Adrian Gonzalez because of his age he provides more chance of improvement than Encarcion and Gonzalez, and out performs Myers in almost every statistical category.
4. Diamondbacks First Basemen:
Paul Goldschmidt was the best kept secret along with Nolan Arenado until 2015. Both those stars erupted into the scene and are now perennial All-stars and MVP candidates. What I love about Goldschmidt besides the fact he is still 28, and has a career .398 On Base Percentage. He stole 32 bases in 2016. Yes, you read that write in a year where he had down year in homeruns only 24 he swiped 32 bags. Goldschmidt is a perspective 30-30 guy every year with an almost .400 On Base Percentage. Surprisingly there are three players better.
3. Cubs First Basemen:
Anthony Rizzo might not even be the best position player on his team, but he is third on this list. The reason I have Rizzo ahead of Goldschmidt is not based on statistics it is not based on on age. They have stats that cancel each other out Goldschmidt wins out in batting average and on base percentage while Rizzo in RBIs and Slugging percentage. However Rizzo has been in the playoffs the past two years, and was a pivotal part in breaking the curse in Chicago. Rizzo has been good on a winning team, and helped a team to win.
2. Tigers First Basemen:
Miguel Cabrera might go down as one of the greatest right handed hitters of all time, or even hitters in general and yes I have him second on my list for first basemen going into 2017 season. There is no debate about his ability and the fact he still might win a triple crown next season (not really), so I will start on why I think Cabrera is on a downward trend. Since Cabrera's magical 2012 and 2013 (yes no triple crown, but look at those stats they were even better) season he had a combine 43 homeruns in 2014 and 2015 which was less than either his 2012 or 2013 seasons. Yes power is not the only thing that matters especially with a hitter like Cabrera who should be remembered more for his ability to hit than moonshot homeruns. Cabrera also had an injury plagued 2015 season. This all might seem nit picky, and biased, but Cabrera entering his 33/34 age season does not have better seasons awaiting him but probably worse, so judging him primarily on 2016 it puts him comfortably in second place.
1. Reds First Basemen:
Joey Votto who is the highest paid player in this list, and the most worthy of his contract. Votto brings something to the position that was not valued until he excelled so much at it that it was necessary. Before I write anymore Votto is 33, so at the same as Cabrera why do I have him ranked higher. His plate vision is his most valuable asset, and that should not dissipate with age like bat speed, and durability. Votto has a career On Base percentage of .425 which he ranks 11th all time ahead of guys like Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial, and Frank Thomas who are all Hall of Famers. Votto is also an excellent defender with a gold glove to prove it. I have him number one on my list because to me he is the most valuable first basemen because he does something better than anyone in the game, and that is get on base which provides the best case scenario for the team to score a run.
