This week’s fantasy baseball first baseman review will help you identify first basemen available in 50% or more of Yahoo! fantasy baseball leagues. For deep league players, the third is available in 85% or more of Yahoo! leagues.
Yonder Alonso, Oakland (54% owned)
Okay, I lied; Alonso’s ownership stretches this article’s criteria, but that’s how important it is that you go scoop up Alonso. He’s been on this list before, and not much has changed. Alonso revamped his approach and has “barreled” over 10% of the time this season. The anticipated average on a barrel per statcast is a .500 average and a 1.500 slugging percentage, which means he’s scorching the ball over 10% of the time. Go and get him if you need some power in Freddie Freeman’s absence, and do it before his average skyrocket further.
Lucas Duda, Mets (16% owned)
Duda’s been swinging a hot bat over the last couple of weeks and has corrected a lot of the damage done to his production by an atrocious strikeout rate. Duda corrected his strikeout rate, and he’s now within his career norms. Next up: Duda’s .265 BABIP means that his .250 average should trend upward, as well. His home runs will fall off a bit, as he’s rocking a 22.9% HR/FB rate up from a career 14.5%. Duda is a top-ten first baseman over the last couple of weeks, and he’s doing that even with positive regression coming. He’s on the upswing, and snagging him now will have you reaping all the benefits.
Mitch Moreland, Boston (14% owned)
There’s not much to hate with Moreland. Sure, his ridiculous cold streak had people abandoning ship, but his production and ownership don’t match up. Thus far on the year, he’s hitting .276/.374/.471 with six dingers, 27 runs, and 28 RBI. He’s played 51 games, which means his production prorates out to about 20 home runs, 90 runs, and 90 RBI. Not bad for a guy out there in 86% of Yahoo! leagues. He’s recovered from his cold streak nicely, as well, hitting four of his six homers in the last two weeks. He’s riding hot and has some very good overall numbers on the year, and he should be owned in more than 14% of leagues.