EHSPN Around the League: First Base

At a position full of names like Pujols, Ortiz, Morneau, and Howard, guys like Adrian Gonzalez tend to get lost in the mix. Arlington recognized the 24 year old's outstanding 2007 performance and jumped on him early in the expansion draft, hoping he will manage first base in Virginia for many years.



By Listen DePlayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly




With the baseball season around the corner, it is incumbent upon me to bring you around the league, for a quick look at the who's who of the EHCC. Unfortunatly, my editor felt that covering just the right side of the infield wasn't enough for our readers, and wants to give you a comprehensive view of the league. Every position... in one offseason.

To accomplish this awesome feat, Baseball Tri-Weekly has partnered with EHSPN online to give an unprecedented summary of the teams and where their parts rank after a turbulent offseason. With a full stable of writers such as Jayson Snark, Buster Lonie, Connor Intabedd and others, I guarantee you'll get your money's worth.


First Base
A yearly tradition, the big men lead off again. Only a few first basemen have actually lead off a game in their career, and all of them are now dead. It is safe to say, leading off and playing first base has a higher fatality rate than drunk drivers, ferris wheel technicians and red-shirted star trek ensigns. Because of those stats, I don't expect Kevin Youkilus will get many looks this offseason.

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Eastern Division

6. Lyle Overbay, PEO
With a list of players often taken in the first two rounds of a fantasy draft as your peers, it is easy for Overbay to have self-esteem issues. Not only is he starting the season in the shadow of the great Chris Shelton, but he is also a mediocre fantasy player. If he can hit for a high average, as he did last season, then he should have a spot on the Cardinals throughout the season. A .290 avg, 20 hrs, 90 rbis pace should keep him in the 1B or DH spot, but he will likely have a short leash this season.

5. Carlos Delgado, WEY
Year after year, I have expected big things from Delgado, but this year I think I am resigned to the fact that he is just a very good first baseman. With the protection around him in the Weymouth lineup, you would expect better numbers from a player of his size, but his time to shine has passed. With superstar first basemen in star-filled Las Vegas and Rakeville lineups, Delgado is an afterthought in the east. He is still a valuable player for the Shaduppu, but with him openly being shopped for the second year in a row and being the oldest first baseman in the division, I think it is pretty clear they understand they are a step behind the rest of the field. 34 hrs and 110 rbis are easy to project but a .285 avg and only 85 runs is where the line is drawn.

4. Adrian Gonzalez, ARL
Woah, this guy should not be here. He has done nothing compared to the other guys on this list. He plays in a pitcher friendly ballpark, in a lack-luster lineup and is rumored to have herpes. Well, I have never discriminated against people with herpes, and I think Gonzalez has a talented batch of the virus brewing. 28 hrs and 90 rbis is not really EHCC dominating numbers, but a .310 avg and 95 runs will have people talking that Gonzalez has taken the next step. I am making this selection more for value than actual production. At some point this season, Gonzalez will be considered a breakout or a sleeper for next year. His age and his credentials, picked first overall in 2000, along with a consistent presence at the plate, will make him worth more to Arlington than Delgado to Shaddupu.

3. Albert Pujols, LV
Surpised to see him here? If Albert was a super hero, which he is, then he would have a cape, which he does. The cape is made of newspaper soiled by Mark Prior and other Doggs who can't wait for their owner to come home before they shit inside. He has found a way to deal with the all personalities, the quirks, and the Reeces in Las Vegas while staying on top of his game. Despite a short-lived run at history last season, a let down is in order for the devoit baptist, playing in the City of Sin, and he will find himself passed by as the most dominant first baseman in the league. While his oblique strain hindered his bottom line, it came at the right time and kept him fresh the rest of the season. Now, after a short, hectic offseason celebrating the Doggs championship and a mountain of pressure to repeat, I think a Pujols is due for a slump a some point in the season. A strong .320, 40 hr, 115 RBI line is the minimum projection for a guy like Pujols, but I think it is warranted.

2. David Ortiz, RAK
If a DH is ever going to win an MVP, this will be the year. Not only is he an excellent hitter, but this year he is carrying a grudge, losing the MVP award to the player he was traded for two years ago. Ortiz is surrounded with talent, even more so this season, and has shown no signs of breaking down despite his size. The only thing holding him back has been his declining average, which should see some improvement given the extra bat behind him. I see .310, 50 hrs, 140 rbis well within reach for Ortiz.

1. Ryan Howard/Derrick Lee, BRI
Howard alone is the best first baseman, but add a top 25 talent in Derrick Lee, and Bridgewater is far-and-away the talented team at the receiving end of the infield. Everyone is projecting a dropoff in Howard's production, but it is hard to find a reason for it. Quick hands, incredible power and a body designed for mashing, the Weasel can even put up a high average while striking out 181 times last season. One can only expect improvement from a guy with his abilities. I see a .310 avg, 50 hrs, 135 rbis and 1 stolen base as the cherry on top of the cake. Lee is the ultimate DH in the EHCC, and if we were ranking DHs, he would top the list. He will bring the Weasels all five categories with more all around production than any other five-tool guy in he game. Though coming off an injury, with Howard on the team, Lee is mearly insurance this season, making him even more valuable. A healthy season will bring .310, 30 hr, 100 rbis, 105 runs and 15 stolen bases, though I think he will continue where he left off in 2005.


Western Division

6. Richie Sexson, SD
Here begins the list of power-filled, do nothing first basemen. The west is littered with guys like Sexson, who can drive the ball out of the park, but can't get a simple single to drive in a run. Maybe it is the poor supporting cast, or maybe it is because I don't particularly like these men. Either way, Sexon is one of them. A .260 avg, 35 hr, 100 rbi season sounds about right for Sexson, who will be utterly unimpressive this season.

5. Jim Thome/Jason Giambi, GLD
A first baseman couldn't be as bad as Giambi last season, but still be as highly regarded had he not played for a magical Golden team last season. Why he wasn't traded while his stock was high is a mystery, but hopefully this blurb shatters the fog Gryphons fans have been in. I project Giambi will have a .265 avg, 30 hr, 110 rbi, 90 run season. If you like gaudy homeruns, then Giambi is your guy. If you like a first baseman worth keeping through the offseason, Giambi is not. The acquisition of Thome gives Golden a legitimate starting first baseman, but he suffers from the some problem as Giambi. Neither are realible, middle of the order producers. Thome with hit 40 hrs, but with a .275 avg, 110 rbis and 100 runs.

4. Paul Konerko, WS
The power has always been there, but the production hasn't. Konerko just isn't a guy who will win a ball game for you. What makes his stat line even more peculiar is that he hit for average last season, and still couldn't break through in runs or rbis. He will still be a boost in the dinger department, but a .275 avg, 105 rbis, 90 runs this season will really hurt the value of his 35 hrs.

3. Prince Fielder, TKO
What separates Fielder from the old bums lower on this list? Being not so old, I guess. Fielder's first full season was a disappointment to folks who thought he would be the next big thing. Ryan Howard turned out to the breakout stud, but Fielder's potential is still there and waiting to be reveled. Until folks find a flaw that can't be fixed, Fielder is the third most valuable first baseman in the west, and should produce in that role. I see .290 avg, 35 hr, 110 rbis, even if the production numbers are generous.

2. Mark Teixeira, QC
Teixeira finished off last season better than some expected, and is poised to challenge Morneau for the starting job at the all-star break. I can see him hitting .330 sometime in the next two seasons, but I be conservative and say a .315, 35 hr, 125 rbi season is in order. I've placed him second on the list on credentials alone, because I think Teixeria could easily hit 40hrs with 140 rbis this season, but he could also drop to a 20 hr guy if he is not careful.

1. Justin Morneau, TIJ
Hard to believe there is an actual superstar in Mexico, but Justin is shaping up to be one. While he would still rank mid-pack in the East, he is the class of the Western Division and a cornerstone for the Hispanics to build on. With Morneau, average is key. If he can match his .320 avg, with 30 hrs, the 120 rbis and 100 runs will come despite his poor complementary cast. If the Hispanics can fill out their lineup, expect these numbers to rise.





Listen DePlayohs writes a column for Baseball Tri-Weekly. He once taught a class at the University of Vermont, but later quit when he found out Whiteboard is real.