RADIO
I’m always considering new, different and creative ways to deliver fantasy baseball theory to the masses. I want to try and push the fantasy baseball envelope.
For instance, this week, I will be offering my Top five 1B Dynasty Keepers in old fashioned, typed out, words that you can read.
In addition, I will perform the story in spoken word poetry on my podcast, while my Dad plays the triangle.
Top 5 Dynasty League First Basemen
5. Freddie Freeman - Atlanta Braves (25 Years Old)
I was surprised to find out Freddie Freeman is younger than Anthony Rizzo by 1 month. Gun to my head, I would have guessed Freeman was older. Freeman has already played in 137 more games, he has 3 seasons of at least 20 HR and 71 RBI and he's entering his prime. Freddie Freeman’s current ADP is 34.
If you are willing to forego batting average, you could acquire Freeman-esque power production much later with an Adam LaRoche or even Adam Lind. It's Freeman’s dependable power and average that makes him a good pick.
In 2014, Freeman set career lows in almost all offensive categories. His projections don't show much room for improvement for 2015. If you consider that Atlanta’s lineup is also projected as one of the National League’s weakest, it’s understandable that confidence is down with Freeman. Assuming the projections are wrong, 2014 was not a sign of things to come, but just a down year, couldn't Freeman theoretically improve on the 23/89/109 and .319/.396./501 from 2013?. If you like keeping Freddie Freeman please realize, he is projected by Steamer to have almost an identical statistical season to Bryce Harper. Harper’s ADP is 32, Freeman’s ADP is 34. Freeman is Harper, Finkle is Einhorn.
4. Anthony Rizzo - Chicago Cubs (25 Years Old)
1B is so deep, but after the top four, there is a significant drop from Rizzo to Freeman. Rizzo is coming off a 2014 season with a .240 ISO, eighth highest in the league. He also has a slightly lower strikeout rate than Jose Abreu, but ultimately that doesn’t matter, Abreu is a better hitter than Rizzo in 2015.
3. Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers (31 Years Old)
Consider this: Miguel Cabrera has averaged 34 HR per year over the last 11 seasons. He is the most reliable player in baseball and arguably the #1 dynasty player over the last decade. I love Miggy like a son.
Sadly, Miggy may be entering the final few seasons he’s in the top 5 1B argument.
Don't fret, Miggy is still the top bat on the planet and top overall 1B in a redraft league. But in a dynasty situation, Goldschmidt and Jose Abreu are more valuable, long term.
2. Jose Abreu - Chicago Sox (28 Years Old)
Other than Miguel Cabrera, Andrew McCutchen and Victor Martinez, no one had an ISO over .200 with a batting average over .300. It is a great time to own Jose Abreu, while he's in his prime. If he really is 28, who knows with these Cuban ballplayers.
1. Paul Goldschmidt - Arizona Dbacks (27 Years Old)
At 27 years old, Goldy’s broken hand has healed and all signs point to him being the top fantasy 1B. When Goldschmidt was Rizzo’s age, he batted 36/125/15. All projections show a decline in power, but I don't see how a player of Goldschmidt's caliber can have a down power year at age 27. However, it will be interesting to see how much last season’s injury and subsequent recovery time-off affects him.
In an effort to maintain Zen, I offer the Die Nasty players that I don't like, therefore achieving perfect FBB balance.
Top Die-Nasty First Basemen (My Least Favorite 1B)
Prince Fielder - Texas Rangers
Does being out of shape help Prince Fielder’s game? Does the extra weight give him an edge at the plate? Not to sound like a jerk, but it's almost crazy that he doesn't get more fit, seeing as it would make him better at his job. Fangraphs uses the UZR stat as a numerical rating of a player’s defensive range, errors and execution. Prince was obviously in last place, with a UZR of -14.6.
Kent Hrbek - Remember when he pulled Ron Gants' leg off the base? Something about him made me think he was a jerk when I was a kid. I could be completely wrong.
Marv Throneberry, 1955-1963 was statistically the worst player on the worst team in MLB History. Marvelous Marv, indeed.
Ryan Howard - Philadelphia Phillies
In 2014 Howard was paid $25 million, with a -0.3 WAR and UZR of -19.8. Enough said.
