X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Mid-Round First Basemen - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Targets

Joey Votto - fantasy baseball first base rankings sleepers MLB DFS lineup picks

Analysis of five fantasy baseball first basemen to draft in the middle rounds. Potential 2022 fantasy baseball sleepers and undervalued 1B to target in drafts.

Welcome officially to the 2022 fantasy baseball season! Now that an MLB deal is in place, a lot more fantasy drafts will be taking place – and we're here as always to guide you through it. Once you reach the middle rounds of drafts, everyone is looking to draft players with upside that can provide a great return on value. You can afford to start taking a risk or two on a variety of different players, including emerging prospects, overlooked veterans, players returning from injury, or even talented players who may have some playing time concerns. The early rounds are critical and the late rounds are where you can take your chances on dart-throw sleepers, but the middle rounds can absolutely make or break your roster as those picks are going to make up roughly half of your starting lineup.

Today, we're looking at some middle-round first basemen for you to consider drafting in your season-long leagues this season. Are their ADPs undervalued? Will they make significant fantasy contributions and become a mid-round draft target that you're going to want to prioritize? Read on to see our take.

Our editors have hand-picked these specific MLB players for your draft prep enjoyment. Normally only available to Premium subscribers, the five outlooks below are meant to give you a taste of the in-depth analysis you receive with our industry-leading 2022 Draft Kit. Be sure to subscribe today and start reading all of our in-depth 2022 player outlooks, and many other premium articles and tools, available exclusively in our 2022 Draft Kit.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Josh Bell, Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals' first baseman Josh Bell bounced back in 2021 after a disastrous 2020 campaign. He reduced his strikeout rate from 26.5% in 2020 to 17.8% in 2021 and increased his xWOBA from .297 to .366. Overall, the 29-year-old slashed .261/.347/.476 with 27 home runs, 88 RBI, 75 runs scored, and a .823 OPS over 568 plate appearances in 2021. Bell's Statcast data shows that the Nationals' first baseman had strong plate discipline and was a significantly better hitter against righties. His Hard Hit rate is 93rd percentile; fantasy managers can expect a solid season with the upside for more in 2022. Bell is under team control until 2023 and should have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs hitting cleanup behind superstar Juan Soto.

Steamer is projecting the former Pittsburgh Pirate to slash .261/.352/.486 with 31 home runs and a .352 WOBA over 147 games. According to RotoBaller's Expected Draft Values, Bell's Steamer projection makes him excellent value at his current NFBC ADP of 135. The Nationals slugger should provide fantasy managers with solid power and counting stats at first base.

--Brad Camara - RotoBaller

 

Rhys Hoskins, Philadelphia Phillies

Rhys Hoskins was limited to just 443 PAs in 2021 due to an abdominal tear that landed him on the IL on two separate occasions, but he put up Hoskins numbers when on the field: .247/.334/.530 with 24 HR. He is expected to have a healthy offseason and be ready for Spring Training, so last year's injury is this year's buying opportunity at an ADP of 145.18. Hoskins has one of the most extreme batted ball profiles in the majors, hitting a whopping 50.9% of his batted balls into the air. Combined with an 18.8% HR/FB and favorable Statcast metrics such as a 17% rate of Brls/BBE and an average of 95.8 mph of airborne exit velocity, he's a virtual lock for 30+ homers if healthy.

All of the flies also mean that his BABIP will be low, making him somewhat of a batting average liability even though his 24.4 K% isn't that high for a slugger. Hoskins usually makes up for that with an elite BB%, but that fell to 10.6% last year due to a slightly more aggressive approach at the plate (44.4 Swing% vs. 40.2% career). Roster Resource expects Hoskins to hit second for Philadelphia, adding plenty of counting stats to his projection as well. Hoskins is a great name to call on draft day if you need a power infusion.

--Rick Lucks - RotoBaller

 

C.J. Cron, Colorado Rockies

Colorado Rockies' first baseman C.J. Cron slashed .281/.375/.530 with 28 home runs, 92 RBI, 70 runs scored, and one stolen base over 142 games in 2021. The Rockies slugger finished the season strong, slashing .337/.408/.643 with 14 homers over the final two months. He signed a two-year, $14.5 million extension with Colorado during the offseason, with the majority of his production coming from the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field. The 32-year-old posted a .445 WOBA and mashed 19 of his 28 homers at home last season. He is expected to hit cleanup for a mediocre Rockies lineup but plays in the most hitter-friendly park in baseball. He's increased his launch angle; as a result, he averaged 21 homers with a .486 slugging percentage over his last three seasons.

Steamer is on board with Cron being productive in 2022, projecting a .363 WOBA with a .268/.359/.509 slash line with 30 home runs. According to RotoBaller's Expected Draft Values, Cron's Steamer projection makes him roughly fair value at his current NFBC ADP of 133. Cron should provide fantasy managers 25-plus homers and is a borderline top-10 first baseman in 2022 fantasy drafts, especially in leagues that reward OBP as opposed to batting average.

-- Brad Camara - RotoBaller

 

Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

I don't think anybody saw a 36-homer season coming from a 37-year-old Joey Votto. It had been since the 2017 season that Votto had been an above-average power hitter, and he had totaled just 38 homers between 2018 and 2020 (341 games played). There was a clear change in approach for Votto in 2021. He posted his highest swing rate (43.9%) since the 2010 season and was surely swinging the bat harder with the intent of hitting more home runs. He posted his highest barrel rate (17.2%) and launch angle (18.2 degrees) by far, although keep in mind those statistics have only been kept since 2015. His strikeout rate was also the highest of his career by far (23.8%). These things do not happen by random chance, there was a concerted effort by Votto to sacrifice contact for power, and it is hard to argue that it wasn't the correct choice.

One would suspect he would keep that approach in 2022, which should lead to another high home run count, but you cannot expect a good batting average or an elite on-base percentage at this point. There is also the risk that he loses a bit of bat speed at age 38. There are no certainties with Votto this year, but I would feel pretty confident about him helping your fantasy team in the home runs category, which makes him worth considering at his current ADP of 158

-- Jon Anderson - RotoBaller

 

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. - Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had fantasy managers concerned early in 2021 but turned it around from June onward. He finished with a .276 batting average, 21 HRs, 84 RBI, 62 runs, and one stolen base over 141 games. Gurriel Jr.'s Statcast data was decent, placing in the 61st percentile for Barrel%, 65th percentile for HardHit%, and 75th percentile for max exit velocity. It wouldn't be unusual if these improved next season after a huge September in which he barreled balls 19.7% of the time and posted better or similar marks previously in his career. The Rogers Centre should play up Gurriel Jr.'s power, ranking as a top-two home run park two of the past three seasons. His strikeout rate decreased to 18.9%, but after inadequate discipline (37.3 O-Swing%, 27.6 CSW%), the rate should be back above 20%.

Nonetheless, his BABIP was .305, the lowest of his four seasons, and his career .266 xBA with a 20.2 K% gives a good idea of how he'll hit moving forward. After trying to steal four bases in a short 2020, the native of Cuba only attempted three last season, successful once, and his once 75th percentile sprint speed was in the 41st during 2021. However, Gurriel Jr. will be in the middle of a loaded Blue Jays lineup, so 80 RBI and runs should be easy to attain. His ADP is 140, a good price for the kind of offense he'll provide, especially with Myles Straw, who's exclusively a base stealer and run-scorer, going around pick 127.

-- Spencer Seguin - RotoBaller



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!




More Fantasy Baseball Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Nikola Jović

Heat Have High Hopes for Nikola Jovic
NBA

Cody Martin Drawing Interest From Warriors
NBA

Timberwolves Interested in Reunion With Bones Hyland
NBA

Kylor Kelley Joins Lakers
Colin Castleton

Links Up With Magic
Brock Bowers

Pete Carroll Classifies Brock Bowers Among His Best Players Ever
De'Von Achane

Lingering Calf Injury Poses Concerns for De'Von Achane
Adam Thielen

Vikings and Panthers Struggling to Finalize Adam Thielen Trade
Malik Monk

Kings "Not Actively Engaged" in Trade Discussions Involving Malik Monk
P.J. Washington

Mavs Likely to Offer P.J. Washington a Contract Extension
Kenny Pickett

Raiders Acquire Kenny Pickett From Browns
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Give Trey Hendrickson a Raise
Amari Cooper

Signs One-Year Deal With Raiders
NHL

Jan Rutta Lands in Switzerland
Kirby Dach

Skates on Monday
COL

Tyson Barrie Retires From NHL
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Back in Toronto's Lineup
Joe Mixon

to Start Season on Non-Football Injury List
Jaylen Wright

Not Expected to Play in Week 1
Jakobi Meyers

Requests Trade
Jauan Jennings

Not Practicing on Monday, has Avoided IR for Now
Matthew Stafford

Taking 11-On-11 Reps on Monday
Zhang Mingyang

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Johnny Walker

Gets Back In The Win Column
Brian Ortega

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Aljamain Sterling

Proves Too Much For Brian Ortega
Chris Sale

Penciled in to Start on Saturday
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Sergei Pavlovich

Wins Decision At UFC Shanghai
Terry McLaurin

Signs Three-Year Extension with Commanders
Kevin Borjas

Drops Decision At UFC Shanghai
Sumudaerji

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Kiefer Crosbie

Still Winless In The UFC
Taiyilake Nueraji

Gets His First UFC Win
Ryan Blaney

Earns his Second Daytona Cup Series Win
Tyler Reddick

Locks Into the 2025 Playoffs Despite Underwhelming Daytona Performance
Erik Jones

Misses the 2025 Playoffs Despite Top-Five Run at Daytona
Justin Haley

Best Performance of 2025 Falls Short of Victory at Daytona
Chase Burns

To Throw Bullpen on Tuesday
Kyle Larson

Enters Playoffs As Co-Points Leader
Alex Bowman

Advances to Playoffs Despite Crashing at Daytona
Cole Custer

Finally Shows Signs of Life at Daytona
Daniel Suarez

Lame-Duck Daniel Suarez Delivers Clutch Second-Place Finish
Logan Gilbert

Punches Out 13 in Victory
Randy Rodríguez

Randy Rodriguez Battling Arm Soreness
Marcus Semien

Out 4-6 Weeks, Could Miss Rest of Season
Ranger Suárez

Ranger Suarez Strikes Out 11 in Win
Cal Raleigh

Sets Catcher Home Run Record
Yordan Alvarez

Likely to Return on Tuesday
Jacob deGrom

to Start on Monday
Kyle Tucker

Homers Twice in Win
Chris Sale

Likely to Return Next Weekend
Brian Robinson Jr.

to be RB2
Najee Harris

to be Ready Week 1?
De'Von Achane

Making Good Progress
Jaylen Wright

Considered "Week-to-Week"
Marcus Semien

Placed on Injured List
Jackson Merrill

Heads to 10-Day Injured List
Jordan Love

Says He'll Play in Week 1
Brice Turang

Absent on Saturday, "Touch-and-Go" With Wrist Injury
Chase Elliott

Despite Being Winless at Daytona, Chase Elliott is Probably the Best DFS Option
Ryan Blaney

Will Likely Lead a Lot at Daytona
Kyle Larson

a Poor DFS Option at Daytona
Christopher Bell

Consistent Enough to Consider for DFS
Chris Buescher

Now Must Win His Way Into Playoffs
Ryan Preece

Being One of the Slowest-Starting Fords Makes Ryan Preece a Strong DFS Option
Ross Chastain

Leads a Lot on Drafting Tracks
Daniel Suarez

Now in Desperation Mode With his Career on the Line
Chase Briscoe

Tendency to Finish Better Than He Runs May Reap Dividends at Daytona
Lamar Jackson

Should Practice on Monday
Carson Hocevar

Hard to Forecast Since He's Rarely Given 100 Percent at Daytona
Michael McDowell

has a Solid Drafting Record
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Arguably Starting Too Well for Place-Differential Points
Austin Dillon

Will Likely Be Too Conservative for DFS Consideration
Matt Chapman

Activated and Starting on Saturday
Moses Moody

Warriors Not Interested in Trading Moses Moody
Kevin Durant

Rockets Expected to Agree on New Contract
Trey Murphy III

Warriors, Spurs Interested in Trey Murphy III
Zack Wheeler

to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Yoán Moncada

Yoan Moncada Hits a Pair of Home Runs on Friday
Willy Adames

Belts Two Solo Home Runs on Friday
CAR

Luke Kunin Joins Panthers on One-Year Deal
Auston Matthews

Says His Health is "Good" Before Start of Season
Roope Hintz

"Feeling Good" Ahead of New Season
Matthew Tkachuk

Recovering From Surgery
Marco Rossi

Wild Re-Sign Marco Rossi to Three-Year Deal
Bubba Chandler

Records Four-Inning Save in Debut
Walker Buehler

Officially Moving to Bullpen
NBA

Malik Beasley Now Drawing Interest from Teams
Brian Robinson Jr.

Traded to 49ers
Zhang Mingyang

Set For UFC Shanghai Main Event
Johnny Walker

In Dire Need Of Victory
Brian Ortega

An Underdog At UFC Shanghai
Aljamain Sterling

Set For UFC Shanghai Co-Main Event
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Sergei Pavlovich

A Favorite At UFC Shanghai
Kevin Borjas

Set for UFC Shanghai Main-Card Bout
Sumudaerji

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kiefer Crosbie

Set To Open Up UFC Shanghai Main Card
Taiyilake Nueraji

Set For His UFC Debut
Connor Ingram

Clears Player Assistance Program
Frank Nazar

Inks Seven-Year Extension With Blackhawks
COL

Victor Olofsson Signs One-Year Deal With Avalanche
Tee Higgins

has Injury Scare on Thursday
Dallas Cowboys

Micah Parsons Expected to Play in Week 1
Dru Smith

Aims to Be Healthy for Training Camp
Jayson Tatum

Provides Injury Update
RJ Barrett

Considered a Trade Candidate
Golden State Warriors

Warriors "Remain Very Confident" About Signing Al Horford
Jahmir Young

Agrees to Deal With Heat
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Bounce Back at Tour Championship
Corey Conners

Looking to Reverse Struggles at East Lake
Cameron Young

Stays Hot Ahead of Tour Championship
Harris English

Aims for Complete Game at East Lake
Sepp Straka

Back in Action at East Lake
Ben Griffin

a Strong Value Play at East Lake
Rory McIlroy

Chasing Another Win at East Lake
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for 30th at BMW Championship
Ludvig Aberg

Finishes Tied For Seventh at BMW Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Keegan Bradley

Finishes Tied for 17th at BMW Championship
Robert MacIntyre

Finishes Second at BMW Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 23rd at BMW Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Wins BMW Championship
Harry Hall

Hot at the Right Time for Tour Championship

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP