Fantasy Baseball Player Rankings & Projections

2008 First Base Preseason Preview

 

Albert Pujols

Doubt taking a step down in 2007 Albert Pujols is just 28 and should be up for another big Fantasy season in 2008.

1. Albert Pujols - Cardinals - 2008 Preview:

He was a disappointment to fantasy owners who drafted him #1 in 2007, but at just 28, expect Pujols to rebound and be the best first basemen in fantasy baseball in 2008. Before 2007 he had averaged about 44 home runs over the previous 4 seasons. Bottom line, he is a great hitter, striking out just an average of 59 times over that same period of time. Playing first base, Pujols may no longer be the #1 overall player, but he is still the clear #1 at first base.

2007 Statistics: .327 - 32 HR's - 103 RBI's - 99 Runs.

2008 Projection: .330- 41 HR's - 130 RBI's - 114 Runs.

 

2. Ryan Howard - Phillies - 2008 Preview:

He had his chance to grab the #1 slot, but an early season slump prevented that. Howard heated up in the second half to finish with pretty good numbers, though his average fell a staggering 45 points. In addition, he struck out more than ever...199 times. At age 28, Howard still has room to improve. The good news? He batted .355 and only struck out 84 times in the second half. That kind of play gives him an argument to be the #1 first basemen.

2007 Statistics: .268 - 47 HR's - 136 RBI's - 94 Runs.

2008 Projection: .296 - 48 HR's - 138 RBI's - 100 Runs.

 

3. Prince Fielder - Brewers - 2008 Preview:

He broke out in 2008 and became the fantasy stud he was hyped top be. Fielder, at only 23, has more potential to grow than the above two, but needs another "stud-season" to prove himself and make the claim at #1. He hit the magically 50 home run mark and added 119 RBI's and the only question about Fielder will be his team. Milwaukee has improved and has a good young offense and if it continues to improve, Fielder would be the major benefactor getting more RBI and run chances.

2007 Statistics: .288 - 50 HR's - 119 RBI's - 109 Runs.

2008 Projection: .292 - 45 HR's - 120 RBI's - 111 Runs.

 

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4. Mark Teixeira - Braves - 2008 Preview:

He was traded to Atlanta in mid-season and instantly returned to his stud form of 2005 when he had batted .305 and smashed 43 home runs. With just 208 at bats a Brave he hit .317 with 17 home runs and 56 RBI's. The only reason not to expect him to continue on a similar pace is the youth of the 2008 Atlanta Brave's line-up and the departure of Andruw Jones. But with the veteran Chipper Jones and young bats Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur the should be good enough.

2007 Statistics: .305 - 30 HR's - 110 RBI's - 104 Runs.

2008 Projection: .307 - 38 HR's - 117 RBI's - 107 Runs.

 

5. Lance Berkman - Astros - 2008 Preview:

Yet another player with a big difference between their first half stats and their second half stats, but Berkman was coming off an injury. In 2006 he smashed 45 home runs and batted .315 and he is a lifetime .300 hitter, so he should improve in 2008 and make a run at the top 3.

2007 Statistics: .278 - 34 HR's - 102 RBI's - 95 Runs.

2008 Projection: .302 - 39 HR's - 114 RBI's - 102 Runs.

 

6. Justin Morneau - Twins - 2008 Preview:

He was a major disappointment overall in 2007 after winning the A.L. MVP in 2006. He, like many at first base, is young (26) and has plenty of potential to repeat or improve from his '06 MVP season, but his average 2007 makes him a gamble if chosen too high. What makes him harder to figure out is he batted .295 and hit 24 home runs before the All-Star break, then had the dramatic second half slump where he batted just .243 with 7 home runs. He is the real deal, doubt the up and down stats thus far and should be back up in 2008.

2007 Statistics: .271 - 31 HR's - 111 RBI's - 84 Runs.

2008 Projection: .295 - 32 HR's - 115 RBI's - 93 Runs.

 

7. Carlos Pena - Devil Rays - 2008 Preview:

There is good reason to be skeptical about Carlos Pena being a legitimate top ten fantasy baseball first basemen even though he hit 46 home runs. Pena has no past history that shows he will do that again, but clearly it is possible. He is a lifetime .252 hitter and his previous career high was 27 home runs. He should be a good fantasy player in '08, just don't expect a 2007 repeat. At #7, Pena represents a significant drop from the top six first basemen.

2007 Statistics: .282 - 46 HR's - 121 RBI's - 99 Runs.

2008 Projection: .267 - 36 HR's - 107 RBI's - 94 Runs.