Top 10 First Basemen Under 25

This is the second installment of our seven part series on the top 10 players under 25 by position. So far, we’ve ranked catchers.

Notes: For this series, we've ranked players based both on potential and proximity to the majors -- opposed to mainly ceiling as we did in our Top 100. Think of this list as one you'd take into a dynasty league draft. April 1st, 2007 was used as the cutoff date for eligibility on this list.

 

1. Prince Fielder, MLB, MIL (5/9/84): Given the exploits of his power-hitting father and his own impressive accomplishments as a high schooler, Fielder’s been considered a “can’t-miss” prospect ever since the Brewers drafted him 7^th overall in 2002. After following up a blistering 2005 campaign in Triple-A – .957 OPS, 28 home runs, and 86 RBI in 103 games – with a solid rookie campaign last season (.271/.347/.483) featuring 64 extra-base hits, he has done nothing to lower expectations.

 

2. Adrian Gonzalez, MLB, SD (5/8/82): Selected No. 1 overall in the extremely weak 2000 draft class, Gonzalez, 24, has been traded twice and generally forgotten about. That is until he broke out with a .865 OPS (.365/.500) while playing in 156 games for San Diego in 2006. While perhaps not supremely gifted, Gonzalez’s ability to hit for both power and average is already noteworthy and constantly improving. And the Padres really like the 6-foot-2, 190 pound lefty’s work ethic.

 

3. Conor Jackson, MLB, ARI (5/7/82): Another first-round draft pick – 19^th overall in 2003 – Jackson leapt up prospect boards in 2005 with a blistering 1.010 OPS (.457/.553) over 93 games in Triple-A Tucson. He was steady in 2006, reaching base at a .368 clip and hitting 42 extra-base hits, but not spectacular. Jackson hit just 31 home runs in 1074 minor league at-bats and his lack of true power limits his potential ceiling, especially as he turns 25 this May.

 

4. Joey Votto, AA, CIN (9/10/83): The 2006 season marked Joey Votto's breakout campaign. The 23-year-old first baseman made an impressive impact, posting a through-the-roof vital line of .319/.406/.547, thanks in part to 46 doubles and 22 home runs to go along with 78 walks. Votto should start 2007 at Triple-A Louisville and there's no reason not to expect more of the same power and patience combination. He could be contributing in the bigs by May, too.

 

5. James Loney, MLB, LAD (5/7/84): If batting average was still sexy, James Loney, 22, would be Jessica Alba (.380 in 366 Triple-A at-bats). But with his .426 on-base, .546 slugging, and mere 8 Triple-A home runs, Loney falls just short of being US Weekly cover material. Major league ready but without a full-time job, Loney figures to gradually begin tapping his above-average potential. And prospect fans are left to wonder if his best chance of becoming an All-Star was lost when the Dodgers had him give up pitching.

 

6. Casey Kotchman, MLB, LAA (2/22/83): The 13^th overall pick in 2001, Kotchman became a very hot name after hitting for a very high average and demonstrating terrific plate discipline over the 2003 and 2004 minor league seasons – if not much power. The last two years have been nightmarish for the now 24-year-old, as injuries and mononucleosis stalled his development. The question now is: Can he regain the stroke that wowed everyone as a 21-year-old?

 

7. Adam Lind, MLB, TOR (7/17/83): Eighth round money wasn’t enough to pursued Lind to join the Twins out of high school. But the Blue Jays’ third round money was enough to get him to leave South Alabama as a draft eligible sophomore. After his breakout in his second full professional season, one has to wonder if Lind, 23, could have been a first round pick had he stuck around for his junior year. The 6-foot-2, 195 pound lefty flat out crushed (.394/.496/.596 in 106 Triple-A at-bats) last season.

 

8. Daric Barton, AAA, OAK (8/16/85): In 2004, the headliners of the A’s/Cardinals deal were Mark Mulder and Danny Haren. Just know this: Billy Beane wouldn't have pulled the trigger if the deal had not included Daric Barton. Barton, 21, has appeared in 324 minor league games over the course of his career, posting a vital line of .305/.425/.468. While questions are left to be asked regarding his power potential, there's no doubt about his ability to get on base.

 

9. Chris Carter, MLB, ARI (9/16/82): When thinking about the prototype, behemoth first baseman persona, Carter will never come to mind. But the former Stanford standout has been nothing but rock solid. In 2006, he hit 19 home runs and pounded out 30 doubles to produce a strong .301/.395/.483 vital line at Triple-A. While he doesn’t have the hulk-like abilities that scouts drool over, Carter, 23, is truly one of the biggest sleepers in baseball.

 

10. Joe Koshansky, AA, COL (5/26/82): When we talked to Koshansky, 24, at the AFL, we asked him about his high strikeout rates and if he thought he could make up for them with power – similar to Ryan Howard. He grinned confidently and said that he hopes so. A pitcher and hitter in college, Koshansky (6-foot-4, 225-pounds) has topped 30 home runs in each of his first two full minor league seasons. He hit .284/.371/.526 in Double-A last season. If only he was in line for big league playing time.

 

 Check back on Friday for our top 10 second basemen under 25.