Midseason Position Rankings: First Base

This is probably where I will get the most hate mail, but oh well. As far as I'm concerned, first base is first and foremost a power position. Failing to accumulate 30+ bombs can set you back in both HRs and RBIs, and for this reason I tend to value power over well-roundedness. That said, we will start with some overall great players...

Tier One:

• Lance Berkman
• Albert Pujols
• Ryan Howard

I wanted to rank Pujols first, if only to burn all those people who passed on him and reward anyone who took the risk on him in the first round. But Berkman leads Pujols in every offensive category except average, and his additional dozen steals are no small part in the lead. Coupled with the fact that Berkman has hit noticeably better in the second half of the last three seasons (100 points better in OPS in 2007 and 2005, to be exact), and you realize just how good of a season the Astro is having. Pujols will continue to buffer your average and will probably reach around 35 homeruns, but his run and RBI numbers pail in comparison and some regression from Ludwick and Ankiel has to be in the cards. Howard is in a league of his own when it comes to power, and will likely be the only player to exceed 50 HRs on the season. Sure, his average isn't pretty, but as a second half hitter himself I bet he will more than outweigh that deficit.

Tier Two:

• Mark Teixeira
• Prince Fielder
• Derrek Lee
• Adrian Gonzalez
• David Ortiz
• Justin Morneau

Teixeira is such a second half hitter that I will excuse his inferior stats and expect a trade to an AL powerhouse such as Boston or Anaheim. Fielder is the beneficiary of my power-first system, but the Brewers don't put enough batters on base for him to drive in, while Ryan Braun bats .314 with RISP ahead of him. Lee barely gets the nod over Gonzalez; both are set for solid second halves but the Padres are likely going to be sellers, and that offense really can't sustain his current production. Ortiz has some injury concerns but says that he's healthy; just remember how much power he lost last season while playing through injury. Morneau almost misses out based on his poor second half track record and his winning of the home run derby, but the Twins are looking to buy a bat like Adrian Beltre and I like the Twins to improve offensively.

Tier Three:

• Adam LaRoche
• Jason Giambi
• Kevin Youkilis
• Conor Jackson
• Aubrey Huff
• Carlos Pena
• Joey Votto

LaRoche shows ridiculous post Break splits and is already making solid contact with the ball on a resurgent Pirates offense. Giambi has a good shot to hit 35+ homers this season, and the Yankees offense is sure to help those drives count for more than solo shots. Youkilis gets a bad rap for being a first half player, but he's young and should be getting used to a full season. Conor Jackson and Joey Votto are young, and both should bring power and some speed. Votto will benefit from moving up in the lineup once the Reds trade some of their outfield vets. Aubrey Huff is the real sleeper here; he has twelve more homeruns after the All Star Break than before in 300 fewer at-bats.

Tier Four:

• Paul Konerko
• James Loney
• Carlos Delgado
• Mike Jacobs
• Todd Helton
• Casey Kotchman
• Matt Stairs
• Ryan Garko

Konerko and Delgado will have to prove their health to escape this last tier, while Loney and Garko really needs to show some more power to even stay here. Loney never had a minor league track record of power, but the Dodgers will put runners on ahead of him and he'll hit for the best average of the group. Kotchman might get traded in a Teixeira deal; giving him a boost in value. If he doesn't get traded, he will be riding the pine. Matt Stairs is the sleeper of the bench, since he's been connected to Arizona where I think he could post great numbers.