MLB

Ranking MLB’s Top 10 First Basemen Heading Into 2015 Season

Ranking MLB’s Top 10 First Basemen Heading Into 2015 Season

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim v Cleveland Indians
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There are some great first basemen who couldn't quite crack the top 10 for 2015. It's a very crowded position in today's game. Here are the 10 guys who made it.

10. Carlos Santana -- Cleveland Indians

Minnesota Twins v Cleveland Indians - Game One
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10. Carlos Santana -- Cleveland Indians

Minnesota Twins v Cleveland Indians - Game One
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Santana's .248 career average looks a lot better next to his .367 career OBP and .809 OPS. Last season, he hit 27 home runs with 85 RBIs.

9. Freddie Freeman -- Atlanta Braves

Miami Marlins v Atlanta Braves
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9. Freddie Freeman -- Atlanta Braves

Miami Marlins v Atlanta Braves
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At 25 years old, Freeman may not have reached his full potential yet. After four full seasons, he's notched a career slash line of .286/.366/.465 with 86 home runs.

8. Anthony Rizzo -- Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs v Milwaukee Brewers
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8. Anthony Rizzo -- Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs v Milwaukee Brewers
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Think about how tough the San Diego Padres' lineup would look if Rizzo weren't traded for Andrew Cashner in 2012. The 25-year-old had a bumpy start to his career, but broke out big last season hitting .286 with 32 home runs and a .913 OPS.

7. Adrian Gonzalez -- Los Angeles Dodgers

NLDS Game 1: St. Louis Cardinals v. Los Angeles Dodgers
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7. Adrian Gonzalez -- Los Angeles Dodgers

NLDS Game 1: St. Louis Cardinals v. Los Angeles Dodgers
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Gonzalez is one of the most reliable first basemen in baseball, playing in at least 156 games in each of the last nine seasons. The 32-year-old has still got it, hitting .276, 27 home runs and 116 RBIs last season.

6. Albert Pujols -- Los Angeles Angels

Division Series - Kansas City Royals v Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Game Two
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6. Albert Pujols -- Los Angeles Angels

Division Series - Kansas City Royals v Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Game Two
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Outside of his injury-shortened 2013 season, Pujols has never hit fewer than 28 home runs in 14 seasons. The future Hall-of-Famer has a career slash line of .317/.403/.588 with 520 home runs. Even if the 35-year-old loses a step or two, he'll still be one of the best first basemen in 2015.

5. Joey Votto -- Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds v Chicago Cubs
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5. Joey Votto -- Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds v Chicago Cubs
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Votto was disappointing last season, but played just 62 games due to a quad injury. The veteran has definitely earned a free pass with a career OPS of .950.

4. Edwin Encarnacion -- Toronto Blue Jays

New York Yankees v Toronto Blue Jays
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4. Edwin Encarnacion -- Toronto Blue Jays

New York Yankees v Toronto Blue Jays
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Over his last three seasons, Encarnacion has averaged 37.3 home runs and 104 RBIs. During that span, his OPS never dropped below .900.

3. Jose Abreu -- Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox v New York Yankees
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3. Jose Abreu -- Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox v New York Yankees
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Abreu may have just one MLB season under his belt, but he was breaking records in Cuba for five seasons prior. In 2014 with the White Sox, Abreu hit .317, 36 home runs, and drove in 107.

2. Paul Goldschmidt -- Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks v Cincinnati Reds
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2. Paul Goldschmidt -- Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks v Cincinnati Reds
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After an injury-shortened 2014 season, Goldschmidt should be back as an MVP candidate in 2015. The 27-year-old has a career slash line of .292/.381/.523. Goldschmidt brings a rare combination of power and speed to his position, stealing 42 bases over the last three seasons while hitting 75 home runs.

1. Miguel Cabrera -- Detroit Tigers

Division Series - Detroit Tigers v Baltimore Orioles - Game Two
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1. Miguel Cabrera -- Detroit Tigers

Division Series - Detroit Tigers v Baltimore Orioles - Game Two
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Hitting .313, 25 home runs and 109s RBI can only be considered a down year if your name is Miguel Cabrera. He doesn't really need to 'bounce back' from his 2014 season to be one of the best first basemen in baseball, but he probably will exceed those numbers regardless. The 2012 Triple Crown winner is always a serious contender for MVP. His career OPS is a ridiculous .960.

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