Fantasy baseball 2020 tiered first basemen rankings

By Bill Pivetz | Feb 14, 2020

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 04: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves reacts during the NLDS Game 2 between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on Friday, October 4, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

5 of 6

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

These four first basemen are who you want to target if you miss out on the top-three names. They can still put up top-five numbers.

Jose Abreu, CWS

Abreu has been one of the most consistent first basemen in the league. He did come into the league at the age of 27, later than most prospects. But since then, Abreu’s averaged 30 home runs, 102 RBIs and a .293 average. That includes a down year of 22/78/.265 in 128 games in 2018.

This season, Abreu will add to his fantasy value. The White Sox front office helped him out by adding Edwin Encarnacion, Yasmani Grandal and Nomar Mazara. You can draft Abreu in the seventh round and bank on a 32 HR/105 HR/.280 line

Matt Olson, OAK

Olson had pretty good seasons in 2017 and 2018. But it was last year that his power numbers exploded. In just 127 games, Olson hit 36 home runs with 91 RBIs and a .267 average. If he played a full season, he might have reached 50 home runs.

The A’s lineup is mostly the same as last season. Olson hitting fourth will give him another chance to hit 45 home runs with 100 RBIs and .260 over a full season.

Anthony Rizzo, CHC

Rizzo’s ADP is high for someone who’s never hit .300 or 35 home runs. But his consistent 30 HR/100 RBI/.290 stat line is still good enough to draft in the fifth round. The Cubs lost Nicholas Castellanos but the rest of the lineup is solid.

However, the possible trade of Kris Bryant could change Rizzo’s and the rest of the Cubs’ hitters’ fantasy value. Until then, though, Rizzo doesn’t miss a lot of time so he’s a lock as an everyday starter.

Paul Goldschmidt, STL

Leaving Chase Field helped Goldschmidt bring back his power but he did take a hit to his batting average. He finished with 34 home runs, 97 RBIs and a .260 average. With time to adjust to his new park, we should see Goldschmidt back to hitting around .280.

The Cardinals lost Marcell Ozuna, a solid power bat in the middle of the lineup. But, there’s still enough good around him for Goldschmidt to be worth a fifth-round pick.

Home/Fantasy Baseball