2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: First Base/Designated Hitter

In our second rankings series of the year, we’ll look at first basemen/designated hitters:

2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings Legalese, etc.

Each of these rankings will follow the same format. We’ll review the top performers at the position in 2014 and 2013, then reveal rankings based on a tier system. We’ll discuss the position in general and the trends of the position. Lastly, I’ll discuss where the Braves player at the position would rank. To qualify at a position, a player must have 15 games played at the position in 2014. I’ll mention any other positions a player will qualify for as well.

Top Fantasy 1B/DH 2014/2013

2014 top 10 (in order): Victor Martinez, Jose Abreu, Jose Bautista, Miguel Cabrera, Todd Frazier, Anthony Rizzo, Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez, Buster Posey, Edwin Encarnacion, Freddie Freeman, Paul Goldschmidt, Justin Morneau, Lucas Duda, Adam LaRoche
2013 top 10 (in order): Chris Davis, Paul Goldschmidt, Freddie Freeman, Edwin Encarnacion, Michael Cuddyer, Joey Votto, Eric Hosmer, Prince Fielder, Adrian Gonzalez, Allen Craig, Mark Trumbo, Brandon Moss, Victor Martinez, Jonathan Lucroy

2015 1B/DH: Tier One

Miguel Cabrera, Detroit – No longer 3B-eligible, but still has great overall numbers.  Has come back to the pack some and may be showing early aging signs.
Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona – Without injury last season, he’s a top 5 guy. Truly elite.
Edwin Encarnacion, Toronto – May be the #1 option in a points league. Big power, very few strikeouts.
Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox – Rookie season wasn’t a fluke, but he did have very prolonged hot and cold streaks, something to keep an eye on for 2015.

2015 1B/DH: Tier Two

Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers – Rarely gets the notice that he’s due, but he shows up year after year in the top performers lists.
Freddie Freeman, Atlanta – Detailed info below
Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels – Bounced back from a couple of tough years and, while he’s not peak-level Pujols, his production is very good.
Victor Martinez, Detroit – May have had his last big season last year.  Still good for 20ish home runs and great average on his off seasons.
Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs – Severely underrated, including by me.  Curious how the prospects will work out and if any of them cut into his playing time.

2015 1B/DH: Tier Three

Joey Votto, Cincinnati – Tier two production with tier five health.  Elite when on the field.
Prince Fielder, Texas – Never got a shot to show his return for the Ian Kipnis trade.  Keep an eye on his spring.
David Ortiz, Boston – Only eligible at DH.  Did not get requisite games to qualify anywhere but utility for the 2015 season, but has consistent power that makes him still a draw.
Lucas Duda, New York Mets – Will hopefully be left alone more this year to simply produce like he’s capable.
Brandon Belt, San Francisco – Solid power hitter with health issues.
Chris Carter, Houston – Eligible only at DH.  His July/August were why he’s such a force when he’s on, but they were also the only two months he hit over .232.
Adam LaRoche, Chicago White Sox – Never really been in a power park before, yet he’s always put up numbers.  Should continue in 2015.
Justin Morneau, Colorado – Hitting in Colorado apparently is what ails former Twins.
Matt Adams, St. Louis – Not a bad year, but not the 25+ home run output most expected either.
Adam Lind, Milwaukee – He’s an upgrade over their 2014 first basemen, but that doesn’t exactly say much.
Eric Hosmer, Kansas City – Still flashes so many tools, but he’s not translated that to the stat sheet just yet.
Brandon Moss, Cleveland – Also eligible at outfield.  Should be part of a rotation of guys who move through 1B.

2015 1B/DH: Tier Four

Mike Napoli, Boston – Health is main thing keeping him from very good production.
Chris Davis, Baltimore – Also eligible at 3B.  Suspension mercifully ended a season where he just didn’t get going.
Billy Butler, Oakland – Going to a huge power drain stadium after having power struggles recently.
Ryan Howard, Philadelphia – Health and huge performance declines means owners should have a very short leash.
Joe Mauer, Minnesota – Elite contact guy that needs help getting healthy.

2015 1B/DH: Tier Five

Kennys Vargas, Minnesota – Only eligible at DH.  Absolutely giant human being hits with authority.
C.J. Cron, Los Angels Angels – Very good showing his first chance up.  He could be bumped up the rankings quite easily.
Jon Singleton, Houston – Up and down first season in Houston, but did show a lot of good things to build on.

2015 1B/DH: Braves Fantasy Review

Freddie Freeman is one of those players who you love having on your team but hate facing them.  He’s a very good guy, but he also seems to rise to the occasion against the best pitching.  Freeman’s power seemingly took a big step back last year, but all his other number were good, so it could just be an anomaly year.  Freeman is a fairly safe source for average, and he should give you 20-25 home runs.  Be aware of where he’s being drafted/auctioned this year, though, because in early expert drafts and mock drafts, a lot of people are citing possibly reduced runs and RBI due to the lessened Braves lineup.  This time last season, the same was said about Giancarlo Stanton.

2015 1B/DH: Position Review

The top guys could really all be taken first at the position without much argument.  I’ve been surprised making these lists at the relative lack of separation from the top tier to tiers two or more levels below.  I would really feel as confident in my team if I had Jon Singleton or Prince Fielder, which says a lot about how flat the position has become in the lesser offense era.  There is plenty of value to be found deeper in the drafts, but it often comes with faults, like Carter’s low average, Davis disastrous 2014 to overcome, or the opportunity to play for guys like Vargas or Cron.  If I’m grabbing a non-outfield offensive position for depth on my bench, first base is certainly where I’d look.