MLB Positional Fantasy Rankings: First Base

Here are theScore's 2016 fantasy first basemen rankings (projections provided by Steamer (via Fangraphs) and theScore staff):

Positional Rankings
C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF1 | OF2 | OF3 | DH | SP1 | SP2 | SP3 | RP

1. Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks

Goldschmidt's 2015 stat line left nothing to be desired, and it's now the standard expectation for him. The Diamondbacks lineup is the best it's been during his career in Arizona, offering him even more upside. He'll be one of the first four players off the board in the majority of mixed formats.

2. Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs

Rizzo has two consecutive 30-home run seasons, and he stole a career high 17 bases in 2015. Twelve of those steals came before the All-Star break, showing the potential for 20-plus SBs if he continues to run for a full season. He'll have more runs and RBIs in a steadily-improving Cubs lineup.

3. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

The injection of OF Justin Upton into the Tigers' lineup will provide a boost to Cabrera's overall stats. Upton is expected to hit second - right in front of Cabrera; his days as a 40-home run hitter are finished, but he should approach 30 in 2016, and could top the century mark in both runs and RBIs.

4. Edwin Encarnacion, Toronto Blue Jays

More of the same can be expected of Encarnacion in 2016. He's played no fewer than 128 games in each of the past five seasons. His runs and RBIs will depend slightly on where SS Troy Tulowitzki ends up in the lineup.

5. Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox

An improved White Sox lineup should provide a significant boost to Abreu's totals. He's a near-lock for 30 home runs at this point, with the other stats following in suit.

6. Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles

Davis has compiled a couple of Jekyll and Hyde seasons of late, and the Orioles invested big in the hope that the 2015 version of Davis is the real thing moving forward. Baltimore's lineup is solid, and Davis should have at least a few more good seasons left to return value on his seven-year deal.

7. Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

Posey is slightly less of a fantasy asset if used strictly as a first baseman. Under no circumstance should this be the case, though, and his dual eligibility at C and 1B should simply be regarded as a bonus.

8. Prince Fielder, Texas Rangers

Fielder rebounded in 2015 from a season lost to injury in 2014. His diminished ISO could still trend upward to his career average, giving him a chance to return to the 30-HR threshold.

9. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

Votto will suffer from a diminished supporting cast in Cincinnati. He's a must-have in leagues counting OBP, but he'll likely be walked too often to duplicate last season's numbers.

10. Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers

Another ho-hum near-30-home-run year can be expected from Gonzalez in 2016. The anticipated Yasiel Puig breakout could provide a boost, as will the presence of SS Corey Seager at the top of the lineup for a full season.

11. Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels

Pujols' health and power returned in 2015, though the former is already in jeopardy. He is aiming to be ready for Opening Day - for whatever that's worth - but fantasy owners should be wary of last season's miraculous power surge. Still, hitting immediately behind OF Mike Trout is never a bad thing for anyone.

12. Lucas Duda, New York Mets

Duda's typically poor lefty/righty splits corrected themselves somewhat in 2015. He oddly hit for a much higher average against lefties, but 20 of his 27 homers came against righties. The average should even out a little more in 2016, and owners can bank on sustained power from the biggest threat in the Mets' order.

▲13. Brandon Belt, San Francisco Giants

Belt had the highest home run/stolen base combination of his career in 2015 while hitting for the second-highest average. More of the same can be expected within a consistent - yet somewhat unimpressive - Giants lineup in 2016. Belt will contribute across the board, assuming a second consecutive full season.

14. Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians

Potentially hitting at the top of the Indians' order could be a great thing for Santana. Though not a conventional leadoff hitter, he has long demonstrated the ability to get on base with consistency. He makes for a great corner infielder or utility bat.

15. Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees

Similarly to Pujols, Teixeira's power returned in a big way in 2015, as he hit 30+ home runs for the first time since 2011. Health remains a concern, as he played just over two-thirds of the season. He's a risky choice, but he's well worth a late-round pick as an option to fill out a utility spot.

16. Wil Myers, San Diego Padres

Entering his fourth MLB season, Myers - and fantasy owners - hope it'll be the first in which he stays healthy. He's shown flashes at the plate and on the bases in his limited playing time. He needs to be the key to the Padres' offense, and a 20/20 season is a possibility if he can stay off the DL.

17. Eric Hosmer, Kansas City Royals

Hosmer enjoyed a breakout season in 2015. He has proven to be a consistent high-average hitter, and he showed power not seen since his 2011 rookie season. With a high average, the runs and RBIs will pile up throughout the season, but owners should be on the lookout for a power decline.

18. Justin Bour, Miami Marlins

Bour will need to prove capable of hitting left-handed pitching in order to return significant fantasy dividends in 2016. He hits well enough against righties alone that he can be considered as a corner infielder or a backup 1B with upside.

19. Byung-ho Park, Minnesota Twins

Little is known about how Park will adapt to the major leagues - but the Twins like him a lot, and he'll have a favorable spot in a promising batting order. He does have enough power for 20-plus home runs, even with Target Field as his home park.

20. Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves

A healthier season from Freeman should bring about better fantasy numbers, but the overall quality of the Braves' batting order limits any upside. If he plays a full season, he'll hit 20 home runs for the first time since 2013, but his runs and RBI opportunities are likely to be limited.

21. Brian McCann, New York Yankees

McCann should be used in the catcher spot, though he does have enough power to serve as an adequate backup first baseman or a primary option as a corner infielder.

22. Justin Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers

Turner won himself a permanent job with his strong play last season, and he projects to see significant time at third base in 2016, though he has the ability to play several positions. As long he hits, the Dodgers will work him into the lineup, but he'll need to prove his worth as a power threat.

23. Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals

Zimmerman should be viewed as a corner infielder or a backup first baseman. His second-half power surge last season was likely a mirage at this stage of his career. If he can muster a respectable average, he will rack up runs and RBIs, but his best days are in the past.

24. Matt Adams, St. Louis Cardinals

Adams is likely to be used purely as a platoon option in 2016, but he'll face enough righties to return adequate fantasy value. Facing fewer lefties would likely allow for a rebound in his batting average.

▲25. Pedro Alvarez, Baltimore Orioles

Alvarez gets a bad rap in fantasy, due mostly to his high strikeout rate and real-life approach at the plate. He will hit between 20 and 30 home runs, and in a good Orioles' offense, the runs and RBIs will follow suit. He's an absolute steal in the latter rounds of standard drafts, while he receives a pretty big boost in OBP leagues.

▼26. Stephen Vogt, Oakland Athletics

Vogt has catcher, outfield and first base eligibility, with his proper home being behind the plate. He doesn't have enough power to justify being anything more than a backup at either of the latter two positions.

27. Mitch Moreland, Texas Rangers

Moreland is in a similar position to Adams, but fares slightly better against left-handers. He should see more playing time than Adams, but his average may suffer as a result. He has less pure power than his counterpart, making him a safer option with less upside.

28. Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers

Martinez's elite power is no more, with his other stats suffering as a result. He will provide a stable batting average, and there will always be RBIs to go around while in the top half of the Tigers' order.

29. Chris Colabello, Toronto Blue Jays

Colabello's 2015 season was every bit as productive as his early-2014 campaign, without the seemingly inevitable regression. There are plenty of warning signs around him entering 2016, but production will be easy to come by if he's able to maintain a regular spot in the powerful Blue Jays lineup.

30. Stephen Piscotty, St. Louis Cardinals

A full season of playing time should see adequate numbers across the board for Piscotty in 2016. He lacks significant power or speed, but he's a quality bench option with dual-position eligibility.