Whose First on First?

   Late August was the last time that I updated my best at each position series. Now that another MLB season has passed, some more players are now under consideration that previously were not. Before I dive into the best first basemen, here is a reminder of the qualifications to make my list. Also, please remember that just because a player does not make my top five, does not mean they are a bad player, it is hard to narrow the list down sometimes, especially at first base. A player must have played in the league a minimum of three season, and spent the majority of that time at the stated position, except in rare instances where it is reasonably justifiable. My list seeks to to recognize the top position players over the past few seasons, as well as give a potential preview of what may be to come from a given player. Anyhow, here are my top five first basemen:

5)    Freddie Freeman: Freddie Freeman appears to be a quick rising star at first base. Freeman is probably currently the face of the Atlanta Braves franchise, and he is definitely a fan favorite. In 2011, Freeman was the runner up for rookie of the year to teammate Craig Kimbrel. Freeman has posted three consecutive seasons of over twenty homeruns from 2011-2013 (posting 21,23, and 23 respectively). At age 23, Freeman has already compiled 68HR. Aside from the power numbers, Freeman has also produced a batting average of .285 over his short career, and entering his prime while coming off a season where he batted .319, hit 23 HR, and compiled 109 RBI shows that he has great potential in the future. Over his career Freeman has accumulated the following stat line: 68 HR, 280 RBI, and a .285 BA. Aside from his batting, Freeman grades out around as an average fielding first baseman as evidenced by his fielding percentage of .993 fielding percentage compared to the league's .994 fielding percentage. Freeman also made his first All-Star appearance in 2013, which along with his short but productive career stats, as well as his potential going forward is what lands Freeman fifth on this list ahead of other potential candidates.
  

4)    Albert Pujols: So, Albert Pujols has not lived up to that lucrative contract that he signed with the Los Angeles Angels in the 2011-2012 off season, and he probably is not going to. However, that does not mean that Pujols is not a valuable first baseman. Over the past three seasons, Pujols has compiled a BA of .281, amassed 84 HR, and had 268 RBI. Last year was an injury shortened season for Pujols. It was a dismal season at that, as the 33 year old slugger hit a meager .258 with only 17 HR and 64 RBI. However, if healthy, it is conceivable that Pujols will rebound in 2014, after all his career line looks like this: .321BA, 492HR and 1,498 RBI. Aside from his batting, Pujols has also won a few Gold Glove Awards, compiled nine All-Star appearances and last year was the first time ever that he did not finish in the top twenty in MVP voting. Pujols has scuffled to find his way after leaving the St. Louis Cardinals after the 2011 season, but he is still an elite first baseman who should hit at least hit 600HR in his career and maybe just maybe even break the all time HR record.
      

3)    Prince Fielder: Prince Fielder took a step back in 2013, but he is still very much a productive first baseman. This season, Fielder posted a respectable .279BA, with 25HR and 106RBI. The aforementioned numbers are still good, but they were a step back from Fielder's 2012 season in which he posted a .313BA, 30HR, and tallied 108RBI. Over the past three seasons, Fielder has a BA of .297, amassed 93HR, and totaled 334RBI. Fielder gets knocked for  his defense and rightfully so as according to advanced stats, Fielder has cost his team 10 runs defensively, but the eye test says that is a bit harsh. Fielder is a five time All-Star and has appeared each of the past three years. Put that with his career line of a .286BA, 285HR, and 870RBI, he is deserving of a spot on this list and since Fielder has been more consistent than Pujols recently and has a longer productive track record than Freeman he slots in front of them on this list. Fielder will be a good productive pick-up for the Texas Rangers and should have five or more productive years left.

2)    Joey Votto:Joey Votto sets himself apart from the other first basemen on this list in that he bats for a high average and has power, but his underrated asset is his ability to get on base. Over the past three seasons, Votto has accumulated a BA of .317 hit 67HR, and tallied 232RBI. Here is Votto's real value though, he has lead the National League in walks each of the past three seasons (110, 94, and 135) and in OBP the past four (.424,.416,.474, and.435). While he does not drive in as many runs as other first basemen, he gets on base a ton and is a huge power threat all while sustaining a batting average well over .300. Over the course of his career, Votto has compiled these stats: a .314BA, a .419OBP, 157HR, and 530RBI. Votto is a league average fielder, but he has a gold glove to his credit. As long as he stays healthy, Votto will be a productive first base slugger and OBP machine for years to come.

1)    Miguel Cabrera: Miguel Cabrera falls under my exception rule. He was moved to third base two seasons ago in order to accommodate the signing of Prince Fielder, but now that Fielder is with the Rangers, Cabrera will most likely be moving back across the diamond to play first base. Seeing as he will be playing at first going forward and that he has played there primarily throughout his career is why I am classifying him as a first baseman. So other than explaining why he is on this list, the only other thing that I should have to say is Miguel Cabrera. Seriously though, everyone knows that Miguel Cabrera won the Triple Crown in 2102, and had he not played injured for a good portion of the 2013 season, he may have repeated as a Triple Crown winner. However, the best hitter in baseball had to settle for his second consecutive American League MVP Award. Over the past three seasons, Cabrera has posted a BA of .341, hit 118HR, and amassed 381RBI. For his career, Cabrera is a .321 hitter, has compiled 365HR, and has accumulated 1,260RBI. Along with the two MVP Awards, he has appeared in eight All-Star games, and has always placed on the MVP ballot in each of his eleven seasons. Cabrera is serviceable with the glove, but since he is such an outstanding hitter, that is easy to overlook. Hopefully Miggy is back to full health for 2014, if so, he should be productive for many years to come, and at age 30, he may even have the chance to set/shatter some of Major League Baseball's Records.

Others who were under consideration (No particular order):

Paul Konerko- Konerko is getting some age on him, and had it not been for his injury plagued 2013, he probably would have made this list at number five.

Paul Goldschmidt- Not quite enough service time, but an underrated young player who is a major power threat for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and looks to be a solid all around player going forward.

Anthony Rizzo- The power and affordable contract are there, the average may never be however, but has good power nonetheless.
Mark Texeria- Great switch hitter with power, but injuries are troubling.
Adrian Gonzalez-Could have potentially replaced Freeman and been ahead of Pujols on this list, and rightfully so, but as mentioned above ranking the top five first baseman in the MLB is no easy task.
Ryan Howard-Sorry, could not pass this opportunity up, but maybe The Big Piece will have a big 2014.