Fantasy: First Base Composite Rankings
theScore's 2015 fantasy rankings apply to standard 10-team, 5x5 rotisserie leagues. Our MLB editors - Jonah Birenbaum, Dan Toman, Greg Warren and Brandon Wile - ranked 40 first basemen and the top 25 are listed below. Check out all of theScore's fantasy content for the upcoming season here.
View rankings by position: C I 1B I 2B I SS I 3B I OF I SP I RP
Analysis: 4 high/low rankings
Adam LaRoche, Chicago White Sox
Rank: 21.3 (Birenbaum: 17)
JB: It's probably ageism that compelled my colleagues to look so unfavorably upon LaRoche, because the 35-year-old showed no symptoms of decline in 2014 and will play half his games this season in a ballpark that's awfully friendly to left-handed power hitters. Not only did LaRoche manage the ninth-best isolated power among qualified first basemen last year, the bearded veteran also posted his lowest strikeout rate since 2005. Slated to hit cleanup in a revamped White Sox lineup, LaRoche should receive plenty of opportunities to drive in runs in 2015, making him a sneaky value option whose production could quietly exceed that of some guys inspiring more optimism this spring.
Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers
Rank: 8.8 (Toman: 12)
DT: Even ignoring the knee surgeries, back problems, and 1978 birthday, Martinez is simply a much better real-life player than fantasy contributor (unless you're in an OBP league). Though he was a 5x5 monster last year after clubbing a career-high 32 home runs, his total represented a seven-homer improvement from his previous best - set eight years ago!. He'd hit just 26 homers combined in the two seasons prior to 2014, when he nearly doubled his 2013 ISO (a strong predictor of future performance). Martinez remains an elite source of average, and presumably RBIs, but there are too many red flags to draft him above younger or more prolific sluggers at a position that demands power.
Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox
Rank: 2 (Warren: 1)
GW: How can you not show Abreu some love for his outstanding rookie season? The Cuban hit .317 with 36 homers and 107 RBIs for the White Sox to earn unanimous American League Rookie of the Year honors. Abreu, who was accustomed to a 90-game season while playing in his native country, admitted to getting fatigued during his first MLB campaign, but feels better prepared physically to handle the long season this time around. His supporting cast will be improved with the additions of Melky Cabrera and Adam LaRoche, which will mean even more RBI chances for the slugger this year.
Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
Rank: 13.5 (Wile: 10)
BW: Votto's demise has been greatly exaggerated. Hampered by a quad strain that cost him all but 62 games last season, Votto attempted to play through the injury, resulting in horrible production and a 50-point dip in his average. When healthy - and all reports this spring say he is - Votto is an on-base machine. In the four seasons prior to 2014, the four-time All-Star averaged 37 doubles, 26 home runs, 86 RBIs, 91 runs and a .317/.434/.544 slash line. With Billy Hamilton and Todd Frazier hitting in front of him, Votto should have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs, and while he may not possess the power of some other first basemen, his ability to get on base makes him a safe pick outside the earlier rounds.