MLB Network Went And Did It Again, Ranked Chris Davis Way Too Low On It's Top 10 First Baseman List. My List Included.
I can’t believe it happened again…MLB Network had “The Shredder” name it’s Top 10 First Baseman Right Now and for the most part did a good job. Lot of talent here in this group, some big power hitters, some young up-and-coming guys, and some vets who are still killing it. Just some minor things I disagree with. Like the center field list, the top few can be put in any order, and I’m not sure if anyone would argue. The bottom is where my list differs. BTW- Carlos Pena must be a crazy person, Votto at 6, too low? Abreu 3, too high? Come on dude….
The Shredder’s List
10. Brandon Belt- (18 HR, 68 RBI, .280 BA, .356 OBP) Played some outfield this year as well, but Brandon Belt showed this year why he will be on this list for the next few years. Pretty good player, won’t be hitting 30+ bombs like some other guys at first, but still has some pop. Decent with the glove, and can get on base. 10 is a good spot for him, but he doesn’t make my list.
9. Chris Davis- (47 HR, 117 RBI, .262 BA, .361 OBP) What a joke. Chris Davis, maybe the best lefty power hitter in the world is the 9th best first baseman? Why? How? We know he strikes out a ton. But you know what else he does? Single handily wins games for the O’s. He changes the game with one swing of the bat. He’s also a legitimate Gold Glove first baseman. He’s also shown he can play a serviceable left field, and also filled in at third. He’s a top 5 first baseman in the game, if he dropped his strikeouts and upped his average 10-15 points, he’d be the best overall first baseman. Fix these rankings, Shredder.
8. Freddie Freeman-(18 HR, 66 RBI, .276 BA, .370 OBP) How has Freddie Freeman not become a top 5 first baseman yet? He has all the tools to be, but just cant put it together. He put together some pretty good seasons in 2013-2014 before getting hurt in 2015, if he can find his power stroke, watch out for this guy. 8 is a pretty good spot for Freddie.
7.Adrian Gonzalez- (28 HR, 90 RBI, .275 BA, .350 OBP) Year-after-year, A-Gon is a stud. One of the best, most consistent player in the league since 2005. If you look at his numbers from last season, he had a “down season”…. How many teams would want that guys glove at first, plus 28 and 90 at the plate? Father time hasn’t really caught up with him, only 33, so we could see Gonzalez on this list for 2-3 more years. Such a smooth, pure swing too, tons of fun to watch this guy hit.
6. Jose Abreu- (30 HR, 101 RBI, .290 BA, .347 OBP) I was talking about a guy with a smooth swing, and who is fun to watch, this is another guy who falls under those categories. Abreu has torn up the league in his two years here, and should continue. WhiteSoxDave joined us to talk about baseball, and he praised Abreu for being one of the best hitters, not just power guys in the league. Abreu will find himself at the top of this list in the next few seasons, maybe this next year. For right now, 6 seems about right.
5- Edwin Encarnacion- (39 HR, 111 RBI, .277 BA, .372 OBP) Is Encarnacion a first baseman? In my mind he’s a DH (59 games at 1B, 85 games at DH in 2015). Whatever position he plays, he’s a beast. For a guy who goes yard as much as he does (151 HR since 2012) he doesn’t strike out that much, and walks a good amount. You expect to see these free swinging power hitters K as much as Chris Davis does, not in Edwin’s case. But do we consider him a first baseman? I don’t. Why does he DH so much? Cuz his glove is some booty. That drops him some in my rankings.
4- Anthony Rizzo- (31 HR, 101 RBI, .278 BA, .387 OBP) When the Cubs win their World Series in the next five seasons, Anthony Rizzo will be a huge reason why. He can do it all, whether it’s balancing on the tarp and leaping into the stands to make a catch, or just going yard into the bleachers, Rizzo has quickly become one of the most feared hitters in the league, and with Kris Bryant, the face of this young and very exciting Cubs team. 4 is perfect for Anthony right now, but expect to see him and Goldschmidt battling for that 1 spot for the next five or six years.
3- Miguel Cabrera- (18 HR, 76 RBI, .338 BA, .440 OBP) Funny that the one year that Miguel Cabrera misses an extended period of time, his power numbers sink but his average, OBP, and OPS are still tops in the league. Batting .338 with a .440 OBP during your 13th season is insane. Just goes to show that Cabrera is one of the all-time greats. Even if his power isn’t there, he’s still getting hits and getting on base. Still one of the scariest hitters in the league.
2- Joey Votto- (29 HR, 80 RBI, .314 BA, .459 OBP) One of the most underrated players over the last eight seasons, Votto quietly had an insane year last season, playing on a terrible Cincinnati team doesn’t help. If Votto plays in a big market, he’s a star in this league. His power numbers are pretty good, but he gets on base all the time, literally. Walked more times than he struck out last year, 143-135, and has lead the NL in OBP every year since 2010. He comes through in the clutch and just doesn’t get much recognition for how he plays the game. Votto is quietly one of the best players in baseball.
1- Paul Goldschmidt- (33 HR, 110 RBI, .321 BA, .435 OBP) Talked about Votto being one of the most underrated players, Goldschmidt is the most underrated player in the MLB. If he plays on the east coast, or anyplace other than Arizona, than this guy would be one of the faces of baseball. He does it all, hits for power, average, has the glove, just a perfect player. Came in 2nd in the MVP voting in 2013 and 2015, his MVP is coming soon. He’s going to be the best first baseman in the league for a while, get used to hearing the name.
RDT’s List
1- Paul Goldschmidt
2. Miguel Cabrera
3. Joey Votto
4. Anthony Rizzo
5. Chris Davis
6. Jose Abreu
7. Edwin Encarnacion
8. Adrian Gonzalez
9. Freddie Freeman
10. Prince Fielder
Agree with my list? Who else would you add in, or how would you shake it up? Tweet me and let me know. @BarstoolRDT