I almost didn’t write this post because I don’t think you should be looking for sleeper 1st basemen. It’s a no-no that makes my no-no area shrink. Then I got to thinking and then I started watching Chopped, then I took a nap, then I had a snack, then I remembered I was writing a post about sleeper 1st basemen, but forgot why I didn’t want to write the post in the first place so I wrote it. Now, you should not target these guys for your 1st base slot, but you could fill your corner infidel or Utility slot with one of these guys. But, whatever you do, don’t punt 1st base. This is a supplement to the top 20 1st basemen of 2012 fantasy baseball. These are 1st basemen that I’ll be setting the ol’ crosshairs on at my 2012 fantasy drafts after the top options are gone. These are guys that are currently being drafted after the top 200. Click on the player’s name where applicable to read more and see their 2012 projections. Anyway, here’s some 1st basemen to target for 2012 fantasy baseball:
Sike! Before we get into the post, we have a big announcement about the RCLs. Okay, maybe not that big. But kinda big. No, we didn’t sell out to Kotex and will now be bringing you all the latest and greatest Kotex news. Though I do hear Kotex makes a great product! What, you like to be wet? No, this isn’t about our podcast that will be arriving shortly. (Our theme song is bizzonkers, seriously. Like seriously, seriously.) Our announcement is Rudy and I and a group of fantasy baseball ‘perts will be taking part in this year’s Razzball Commenter League (The RCL). Funston — check! Behrens — check! Pianowski — yeah, we got more than just Yahoo bloggers. Also, in the league are Eric Mack from SI.com, Dalton Del Don from Rotowire, Eno Sarris from Fangraphs, Brad Evans (okay, so we got a bunch of Yahoo guys), Tim Dierkes from MLB Trade Rumors and many, many more (well, maybe two more).
For what it’s Wuertz, we asked everyone at ESPN (whose email we had, which is quite a few) to participate but they all said no. If you want to take to the streets and ‘occupy’ them, go bug the crap out of Matthew Berry on Twitter telling him to take part. Mention how we’re sending them 40-plus leagues to ESPN that will all be going to Yahoo next year if they don’t pony up one ‘pert.
So, yes, you will be competing against the likes of us, and them and the other them that were already playing in The RCL. If Rudy or I by some chance in H-E double hockey sticks were to win the whole thing, we’ll give the prize — A MEMBER’S ONLY JACKET! — to the runner up. But if, say, Funston wins the jacket, I think he wants it. Anyway, time is of the essence, if you want to compete against us, them and the other thems. Sign up here. Not in this post.
Mike Carp – You may ask yourself where is that upside 1st baseman? And you may ask yourself where is the 30 homer potential? And you may find yourself drafting Mike Carp. And you may tell yourself this is not my beautiful 1st baseman, 30-homer upside potential! And the days go by, wishing for more home runs.
Brandon Belt – I have Belt down for some astronomic projections. Brandon Belt is my Chris Davis and I am his Bill James. My projections buckle if Belt doesn’t get enough play. (I think that’s a pun point!)
Chris Davis – Speaking of the devil, I don’t have Chris Davis listed anywhere in my projections because I think he’ll probably cause more damage with his K-rate than he’s worth. You know who has him projected for 20 homers and a .265 average? Oh, c’mon, you don’t even have to ask. Bill James’s sun rises and falls on his love for Chris Davis. If Davis can get 450 ABs, he could hit 25 homers and .240. To get 450 ABs, a lot would have to break right for him and he’d actually have to produce to force his way into the lineup on a regular basis.
Yonder Alonso – Yonder’s upside is Gaby Sanchez. That’s not me giving him a compliment. If he gives you that, then he’ll be a valuable late round flyer in NL-Only leagues while fluctuating between serviceable and yawnstipating in mixed leagues.
Bryan LaHair – He sounds like a wrestling jobber, and it’s not far off from his current value as a major leaguer either. He’s a placeholder for Anthony Rizzo. His best chance for fantasy value is having one Baha Man season before disappearing into oblivion.
Garrett Jones – Robot Jones didn’t make it in my top 300 for 2012 fantasy baseball. If we were an NL-Only site, I’d talk about the beauty of The Robot. But since I brought it up, what the hey! If you’re in a deep daily league, you take someone like Jones, who does damage against righties and platoon him in and out of your lineup. Last year, in 355 ABs vs. righties, he hit 14 homers, .262 with 5 steals while against lefties he had only 2 homers and hit .147. Garrett Jones is the new Matt Diaz!
Lucas Duda – What’s the highest tone your voice can reach? It should crack your voice a little Peter Brady-style you’re going so high. Okay, now take that highest tone and say, “It’s Duda’s day.” Now say it again and again until when asked any question by anyone you reply, “It’s Duda’s day.” Now you’re crazy. Sorry, but it shouldn’t have been that easy to make you crazy. Duda has next to no speed, but might have an outside chance for 25 homers. Don’t find yourself in September looking at him, mumbling to yourself shoulda coulda Duda.
