Fantasy Baseball: Top Five First Basemen of the First Half

By Vincent Frank on Monday, July 11th 2016
Fantasy Baseball: Top Five First Basemen of the First Half

1. Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs

2016 Statistics: .299 average, 21 homers, 63 RBI, 54 runs and 46 extra-base hits (351.8 points)

Rizzo averaged a MLB-best 4.1 fantasy points per game from this position in the first half. His 21 homers rank second to just Chris Davis, while the Cubs first baseman ranked first in extra-base hits, second in doubles and within the top-five in runs scored. 

Of the 85 games he appeared in prior to the All-Star Break, Rizzo tallied eight-plus fantasy points a whopping 16 times. Not only did this make him an elite fake baseball performer, it made him one of the most consistent in the game. 

 

2. Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks

2016 Statistics: .297 average, 15 homers, 58 RBI, 53 runs and 37 extra-base hits (343.3 points)

We have Goldschmidt ahead of Wil Myers and Chris Davis here for one reason. Consistency. While the other two have arguably put up better performances in the first half, it's hard to deny what Goldy brings to the table on a near-daily basis. 

He's only tallied four double-digit fantasy performances thus far this season. So you're not going to get that dominating outing that will lead to a pay day simply due to Goldschmidt's presence on your roster. He has, however, put up five-plus fantasy points in 32 of his 88 games. That's why Goldy remains one of the top DFS players in the game.

 

3. Wil Myers, San Diego Padres

2016 Statistics: .286 average, 19 homers. 60 RBI, 61 runs and 40 extra-base hits (343.8 points) 

Myers is having a breakout year for the fledgling Padres. He's currently on pace for 35 homers and 112 RBI while posting a near .290 average. The former AL Rookie of the Year also leads all first basemen in stolen bases with 15. 

Unlike Rizzo, it hasn't been all about consistency here. He's actually put up 36 percent of his fantasy points in 10 games this season, averaging just 2.7 fantasy points in the other 77 games. That's problematic for those in re-draft or dyno, but it works well in DFS. When you see a good matchup for Myers, simply go ahead and lock him in. Period.  

 

4. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

2016 Statistics: .293 average, 18 homers, 53 RBI, 49 runs and 35 extra-base hits (298.8 points) 

Cabrera finds himself ahead of Davis here simply because we can't realistically put a guy that's hitting .237 in the top four. That's only magnified with Miggy hitting a near 50 points better than his AL East counterpart. 

With that said, Cabrera has actually seen regression in this category thus far this season. If he were to finish under .300 it would be the first time that Cabrera had not reached that plateau since back in 2008. Though, the numbers are still impressive here. He's on pace for 35-plus homers 100-plus RBI and 65-plus extra-base hits. That's not too shabby at all.

 

5. Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles

2016 Statistics: .237 average, 22 homers, 58 RBI, 64 runs and 38 extra-base hits (303.5 points)

Let's put aside the substandard batting average and ridiculous 122 strikeouts. Those aren't good numbers at all. Though, Davis does lead all Major League first baseman in homers and runs scored. Those are two stats that lead us to the conclusion that he's still among the game's top fantasy options at this position. 

Though, there remains an issue with consistency here. Davis has actually tallied negative fantasy points in 23 percent of his games this season. Ouch!

 

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Scores

Reds
2
Angels
3
Cubs
2
Guardians
0
Giants
3
Dodgers
2
White Sox
3
Rangers
1
Rockies
1
Padres
1
Brewers
3
White Sox
2
Royals
5
Athletics
5
6:05 PM ET
Nationals
-
Astros
-
8:10 PM ET
Mariners
-
Diamondbacks
-
Twins
5
Yankees
17
Pirates
6
Orioles
1
Cardinals
3
Mets
14
Rays
6
Blue Jays
5
Tigers
16
Phillies
8
Braves
14
Red Sox
4
Phillies
5
Marlins
2
Orioles
6
Tigers
5
Astros
0
Mets
5
Cardinals
9
Astros
4
Red Sox
7
Rays
5
Pirates
6
Twins
4
Phillies
7
Nationals
3
Yankees
7
Braves
3
Blue Jays
7
Marlins
8
Reds
11
Padres
10
Giants
3
Rockies
11
Athletics
7
Rangers
3
Dodgers
7
White Sox
6
Rangers
1
Brewers
5
Angels
5
Cubs
4
Diamondbacks
13
Royals
10
Mariners
8
Guardians
7
1:05 PM ET
Astros
-
Pirates
-
1:05 PM ET
Rays
-
Tigers
-
1:05 PM ET
Red Sox
-
Twins
-
1:05 PM ET
Orioles
-
Braves
-
1:05 PM ET
Yankees
-
Blue Jays
-
1:07 PM ET
Blue Jays
-
Phillies
-
1:10 PM ET
Mets
-
Nationals
-
1:10 PM ET
Marlins
-
Cardinals
-
3:05 PM ET
Dodgers
-
Cubs
-
3:05 PM ET
Athletics
-
Giants
-
3:05 PM ET
Rangers
-
Dodgers
-
3:05 PM ET
Guardians
-
White Sox
-
3:10 PM ET
Angels
-
Diamondbacks
-
3:10 PM ET
Rockies
-
Royals
-
3:10 PM ET
Padres
-
Mariners
-
3:10 PM ET
Brewers
-
Reds
-