Basebll Tri-Weekly: ATL First Basemen

Ryan Howard takes a swing during Weasels spring training. The Bridgewater slugger is the best first
baseman in the East, and possibly in the EHCC. Listen Deplayohs breaks down the position to kick off this season's Around the League.


Around the League: First Base By Listen DePlayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly

The EHCC is a wonderfully diverse league, but the gentlemen who man baseball’s power position are far from different. Raw, unfettered power can be found with most at the catching corner For the fourth straight year, Baseball Tri-Weekly brings you Around the League, starting with our favorite fatties at first.

Eastern Divison
6. Travis Hafner / Carlos Delgado, WEY
The shine as finally come off the Shaddupu’s glorious reign, as they field two extremely limited options at first. Delgado’s regression meant more time for Hafner last season, and he responded with an inexplicably poor season. Was he battling injury? No one outside of Weymouth knows for sure, but given last season’s performance and the addition to a powerhouse in Peoria, the Shaddupu duo is sitting at the bottom of the East.

5. Albert Pujols, LV
Talk about a curious prediction. Last season I projected a Pujols regression, and surprising, I overestimated his performance. Many of the problems that hindered the Doggs slugger last season are back, and some are worse. Doctors feel he needs surgery, but the Las Vegas star is going to push forward despite their concerns in the hopes of bringing another title to Sin City. For 2008, Pujols should continue to be a top option, but his long-term value is dropping every day. The Doggs have no one in reserve if Albert can’t go on, so the Eastern Division champs are taking a bit of a risk.

4. Adrian Gonzalez, ARL
Gonzalez lived up to expectations last season, posting elite first baseman numbers in every category except batting average (.282). He is capable of putting up good numbers across the board, and given the lagging talent in the East, he could perform on a much higher level. That said, Adrian did have almost 650 at bats last season playing everyday for a Warriors team stretched thin. A drop in at bats could expose him if his ratios don’t improve. He is young and in good health, so big numbers should be expected again.

3. Mark Teixeira / Joey Votto, PEO
It was a blockbuster trade that rocked the makeup of the Cardinals this offseason, but Peoria may finally have an offense to make a run in the East. In a division where you need an elite option at first, Peoria has entered the conversation. Teixeira is not as exciting as some of the other gents, but he will provide consistent numbers for the cellar-dwellers to build around. He will have to at the price of Cole Hamels. Joey Votto is a nice player, but will never be a factor in the East. If he can’t stick in the outfield for the Cardnials, then they should send him away when his value reaches its peak.

2. David Ortiz / Chris Duncan, RAK
Big Papi is back and this year the Rockets offense is in more need of his power than ever before. The loss of Vernon Wells and Andruw Jones has taken 50 homeruns from the Rakeville lineup, and Ortiz (only 35 dingers last season) is going to be asked to make up the gap. He is coming off knee surgery, so he’ll either return to MVP-caliber 2006 form or regress even further as his weight continues to plague his large frame. Still, given the problems with other first basemen in the East, he is still one of the top options. The Rockets have a backup plan in Chris Duncan, who will be able to provide them with homeruns if Ortiz falters, but little else.

1. Ryan Howard / Derrek Lee, BRW
Baseballs top duo is back for another season. Howard and Lee lead the way for all first basemen, each making up for each other’s deficiencies with awesome resolve. Howard, on his own, is the best first basemen in the East, and Lee continues to be an elite backup. Stolen bases have always been the factor that set Lee apart, but the last two years have been underwhelming. He may no longer be a clear starter like he once was in 2005, and his days in Bridgewater may be numbered, but he’ll still be expected to be a worthy DH for the Weasels in their run for a championship.


Western Division
6. Todd Helton, SD
Helton needs to hit 20 homeruns. His high average is great, but for a first baseman in the EHCC, hitting below 20 is almost unworthy of a roster spot. He is a 35-year-old player who is very mediocre, on a team in transition. The most he could offer the White Devils is a huge April and May, then a trade. Anything less would be worthless.
5. Nick Swisher / James Loney, GLD
It will be curious to see who the Gryphons select to be their starting first baseman in 2008. Right now, Nick Swisher seems to have the edge, but he is so versatile that keeping at first while the team’s young outfield struggles seems foolish. As a first baseman, Swisher doesn’t provide much. An average hitter, below average for the bag, he is only valuable defensively for Golden. Loney is a promising backup who is capable of 25 homeruns and a .300 average. Good for a young player, but not up the EHCC standards yet. This is just another position for Golden that is a work in progress.

4. Adam LaRoche, TIJ
Of all the great first basemen to pass through Mexico, how is Adam LaRoche the one that remains? Granted, he is a young, potential-filled player that the Hispanics feel fits in nicely with their plans. Right now, LaRoche is the only option for Tijuana, so he’ll have a chance to develop with little pressure. That may not be a good thing. With Brian Roberts and Jacoby Elsbury hitting in front of him, LaRoche has every opportunity to become the Prince Fielder of 2008.

3. Paul Konerko, WS
Not much can be said about the Green Monsters first baseman. He is a consistent hitter who provides the cigarette kings with a power bat for their speedy lineup. He is a staple in Winston-Salem, and while he isn’t a glamourous option, they have built this offense around him. He is trusted, healthy and hungry for another shot at the playoffs.

2. Justin Morneau / Carlos Pena QC
They won’t admit it in Canada, but they are very nervous about their first basemen this season. Not sacred, just nervous. The Piglets took a stand this offseason, refusing to trade away their talented trio unless they got substantial value in return. They did, but it cost them their best hitting, most popular player. Now they are left with two guys who some consider flukes. Carlos Pena had a breakout season last year, and Justin Morneau regressed greatly from the player they traded for in 2007. Both are going to be asked to shoulder a large portion of the Quebec City offense, and they should be up to the challenge. Still, if neither matches or out perform Mark Teixeira, there will be a lot of folks churning their hands in pig country.

1. Prince Fielder / Billy Butler, TKO
Prince busted out in a big way last season, and is primed for a repeat as he leads a young, potent Tokyo offense. He has to clean up his peripherals. Fifty Homeruns should yield more than RBIs, and Fielder was the master of the solo shot last season. He is the gold standard in the West, and perhaps the entire EHCC. The sky is the limit with this kid, and it will all depend on this batting average. Billy Butler certainly won’t usurp Prince, but he will be a good backup. Tokyo has him slotted as the utility guy this season, and that may be a hole for them as Butler doesn’t seem ready for a starting gig. Look for him to struggle, but turn it on for a possible playoff run.