2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: First Base

I have a bad case of Spring Fever already. Most of the snow is gone after the 20+ inches were dumped on us a few weeks ago. It's starting to push 70. The window to my office is an open tease to what's starting to take place outside; not only are the crappie starting to hit, but so are the heavy hitting first baseman around the league.
First base is consistently the deepest fantasy position in baseball. If you don't believe me, scroll down a bit and see my case as to taking Hanley Ramirez over Albert Pujols with the first overall pick.
Let's dive into my top-25 First Basemen for 2011. These rankings reflect standard 5x5 categories (AVG, R, HR, SB, RBI), reflect the player being drafted as ONLY a first baseman regardless of eligibility (ie Buster Posey) and as always, are open to debate: (ADP)

1. Albert Pujols (1.1)
2. Miguel Cabrera (3.9)
   
3. Joey Votto (8.3)
   
4. Adrian Gonzalez (13.4)
   
5. Mark Teixeria (15.4)
   
6. Ryan Howard (16.9)
   
7. Prince Fielder (21.6)
   
8. Kevin Youkilis (31.4)
   
9. Adam Dunn (51.1)
   
10. Kendry Morales (54.6)
    
11. Buster Posey (40.5)
    
12. Justin Morneau (53.3)
    
13. Paul Konerko (79.9)
    
14. Billy Butler (75.0)
    
15. Mike Napoli (116.6)
    
16. Aubrey Huff (144.6)
    
17. Carlos Pena (161.4)
    
18. Derrek Lee (189.1)
    
19. Adam LaRoche (187.4)
    
20. Gaby Sanchez (197.0)
    
21. Michael Cuddyer (198.6)
    
22. Ike Davis (207.8)
    
23. Lance Berkman (219.6)
    
24. James Loney (254.1)
25. Mitch Moreland (284.6)
    

Victor Martinez will not carry 1st base eligibility over into 2011 in ESPN leagues (which is what I use). If you're using Yahoo! and their crazy eligibility requirements (I think all a player has to do is spit on the position to be eligible there in Yahoo! leagues), then VMart would fit in right around Adam Dunn.

I've noticed that Adam Lind has been falling fast in most drafts, perhaps due to his sole eligibility at DH. He should be eligible at first base fairly quickly into 2011 as he's slated to start there for Toronto. I would slate him in ahead of Mike Napoli.

This morning it was reported that Miggy was cited for a DUI in Florida last night, as he swigged some Johnny Walker in front of the deputy. Since then, I've already seen him drop behind Votto and A-Gone on several boards. That's something to watch carefully before your draft.

2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Catcher

As pitchers and catchers start showing up to Florida and Arizona, with position players joining or right on their heals, its time to dive into 2011 Fantasy Baseball rankings. These rankings reflect standard 5x5 categories (AVG, R, HR, SB, RBI).

Let's start behind the plate. Here are my top 20 catchers for 2011 (with ADP courtesy of Mock Draft Central in parenthesis).

1. Joe Mauer (20.5)
   
2. Victor Martinez (30.19)
   
3. Brian McCann (31.19)
   
4. Buster Posey (45.44)
5. Carlos Santana (118.24)
6. Geovany Soto (100.2)
7. Mike Napoli (115.58)
8. Matt Wieters (164.09)
9. Miguel Montero (125.6)
10. Jorge Posada (154.74)
11. Kurt Suzuki (180.03)
12. Chris Iannetta (398.49)
    
13. Carlos Ruiz (222.73)
14. John Buck (230.6)
15. Yadier Molina (213.95)
16. Miguel Olivo (249.1)
17. AJ Pierzynski (336.78)
18. Russell Martin (362.04)
19. JP Arencibia (448.12)
20. Ryan Doumit (297.4)

Catcher looks to be pretty deep this year with the addition of Buster Posey and Carlos Santana for a full major league season. Each could potentially see some time at first base through out the season as well. Posey still has first base eligibility in most leagues and Santana potentially could as well as the Indians decide how to handle him.

Posada and Iannetta jump out to me. Jorge is slated to be the primary DH in an older but still potent NYY lineup. That could and should bump his at bats up to the 500+ mark for only the second time since 2003. Iannetta isn't being drafted in a lot of leagues which baffles me. He is the starting catcher in Colorado and should have no problem getting back to his 2008 form and potentially belting 20 home runs.

Unless you are set on getting one of the top-5, you should be just fine waiting until the tail end of your draft to pick up a catcher and using the 4/5th round draft pick on someone like Uggla, Bautista, or McCutchen.