Closer and Closer we can see the light beaming ever so strongly as we make our way to the start of our baseball journey. April Day baseball          will be upon us soon, DFS lineups to pour over, lineup decisions hmmm do I start Jace Peterson or Josh Harrison this week can’t wait right? Man I’ve never been so interested in the Chicago weather when I wake up than I do from April-Sept. Well we all love it and that’s why you are here. Here’s the deal, Today I’m ranking the 1b top 25, not a whole lot has changed from last week but a few players have some recent news so let’s get after it.

TOP DOGS

1. Vlad Guerrero Blue Jays

2. Freddie Freeman Dodgers

3. Matt Olson Braves

4. Pete Alonso NY Mets

5. Paul Goldschmidt St. Louis Cardinals

Not much change here as you know what these guys are all about. Some drafters like Goldy over Alonso but I’m sticking with my man Petey         here in a revamped Mets lineup that I think gives him some more opportunity to drive in runs. Olson could eventually surpass Freddie but it       might not happen until next season.

SOLID PROS

6. Jose Abreu Chicago White Sox

7. Jared Walsh Los Angeles Angels

Walsh contributes in all categories except for steals and came within one HR and 2 RBI of 30/100 along with a .277 BA. Sounds like Jose             Abreu only you can get him a couple of rounds later and I think there still is another level Walsh can reach.

8. C. J. Cron Rockies

9. Joey Votto Reds

10. Josh Bell Nationals

All solid options here, The players here have a safe floor, nobody is threatening their playing time and all have good lineups around them.

  STUCK IN MIDDLE

11. Ty France Mariners

Excellent contact skills and will provide a boost to a category that has razor thin margins which could separate you from winning your                  league or not. Doesn’t have as much power as some of the others above but is hitting 4th in an interesting lineup in Seattle and is a very                useful fantasy player.

12. Rhys Hoskins Phillies

13. Max Muncy Dodgers

Muncy made his spring debut yesterday and walked and scored a run in two plate appearances. All concerns look to be alleviated for the               moment as he will be the Dodgers primary DH this season. Still looks like a very solid 1B/2B player with a possibility at 3B sometime during       the season as well. Looks like the drafters that took a chance on him at the beginning of the draft season are looking at him as a bargain.

14. Luke Voit Padres

Perfect fit for the Padres and will hit in the middle of that lineup. Wasn’t it just one year ago we were drafting him at pick 150 after leading          the league in 2020. I don’t think the skills have diminshed as he was hurt for most of the season last year which obviously factored in his sub      optimal 2021 season. He’s going to be one of the fastest risers in drafts at this position.

15. Johnathan Schoop Tigers

I know it’s been 4 years since Schoop went 30/100 with a .293 AVG playing in Baltimore but the Tigers are a sneaky team this season and           have a decent lineup. There will be plenty of runs scored in Tigers games this season and Schoop has still got the pop and is going to                     contribute in 4 categories.

16. Anthony Rizzo Yankees

17. Yuli Gurriel  Astros

Solid Vets here with room for more than what you paid for them on draft day. Some injury concerns here but worth the risk imo.

HAZY FUTURE

18. Ryan Mountcastle Orioles

Seems like he’s locked in at 1B for the O’s so maybe the stability will ease his mind and he can be more relaxed at the plate. To be determined     how the ballpark changes anything so he’s down on the list a bit for now and the Orioles are going to be pretty bad once again so the                       expectations have to be muted somewhat.

19. Alex Kirilloff Twins

20. Bobby Dalbec  Red Sox

We all know about the huge strikeout issue with Dalbec (career 35.8%). Dalbec lowered it to 28.8 % after August 1 last season and the barrel        rate was elite so you have to pick your poison. Is it a fatal flaw you can’t get over or are you willing to take that chance at his ADP?

21. Tyler Stephenson Reds

22. Spencer Torkelson Tigers

Avila said they won’t manipulate service time but who knows what spin the Tigers will put on it if Tork and Greene don’t start the season in        the majors. Torkelson is ready and he’s going to make it painfully obvious to everyone he belongs in the majors. I really like the kid and this        Tiger team. I think he vaults up into the teens sooner than later.

23. Trey Mancini Orioles

24. Miguel Sano Twins

25. Brandon Belt Giants

A mix of vets and young guns here as all have a clear path for playing time and have shown in past they are worthy of a starting Major League job. Good corner IF guys here for your team with the youngsters having more of a ceiling and the vets a strong floor.

Back with the 3B rankings next week thanks for reading and have a great drafting week!