Ron Washington has got his work cut out for him this week. How in the world is he going to decide what first basemen to send to Arizona for the All-Star game? Adrian Gonzalez, he of the .361 average, and the 44 extra base hits, and the 111 runs produced, will be the starter voted in by fans. After that, Washington could choose any of five one baggers and not go wrong.
Paul Konerko seems to get better with age. The 35-year old has 21 home runs and 60 RBI to go with his .324 average. Miguel Cabrera has not carried his off season, off field issues onto the diamond. The Tiger is hitting .332, with 15 round trippers and 52 RBI. Michael Young is making the Rangers thrilled they did not trade him in the off season. All Young is doing is raking at a .323 pace, while knocking 7 homers and 53 runs batted in. In New York, all Big Tex has done is lead the league in home runs with 24 and knock 62 runs. Finally, despite missing three weeks to injury, Adam Lind is hitting .314, with 16 home runs and 49 RBI. Wow! What a list. Each player can make a legitimate case. The only one I might discount is Mark Teixeira, but only because there will be a number of Yankees voted as starters already. Big Tex could actually lead the league in home runs and have to watch the game from home.
Not only is the position loaded at the top but it runs deep with young, up and coming talent. Justin Smoak, Eric Hosmer, Mark Trumbo, and Mitch Moreland look like they will insure the future power of the position. This list doesn’t even include a guy like former MVP, Justin Morneau, or players who play the position often enough to qualify at the position - players like Billy Butler, Carlos Santana, Howie Kendrick, and Michael Cuddyer. Even Casey Kotchman is raking with a .338 average. The position could get even deeper if the Twins finally wise up and give Joe Mauer some games there, especially with Morneau out for a while.
The only two teams not represented by this list of studs are Baltimore, who has the aging former All-Star, Derrick Lee playing first, and Oakland who has…Connor Jackson and Mark Ellis holding down the fort now.
For fantasy players, all this depth is great. Most leagues play with a designated hitter, or a utility player, not to mention corner infielders. All these first baseman mean that every fantasy owner probably has at least one of these players on their rosters. If you have two or three, you are probably doing just fine this season.
If you are Ron Washington, it means you will probably have a headache before this weekend is over.
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