It is time to get excited about baseball! Spring training camps are all open and the first games in Arizona begin this Friday and Florida teams follow the next day. Of course, we here at Belly Up Fantasy Sports have all the coverage fantasy managers need with articles and podcasts already published and much more on the way. First, we took a look at the catcher position (that show available here and articles here and here). This time around, we look at the first base position. To be sure, first base is a slim position this season in fantasy and those having value take on even greater importance. With that in mind, may I present this fantasy baseball firstbase values edition? As with all other articles, debate is encouraged and expected. These choices are meant for head-to-head points leagues. With that said, let’s get right into it, shall we?

Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals

To be clear, I can hear the complaints already: how can Paul Goldschmidt be a value pick? Here’s how: FantasyPros has him ranked as the fourth best first baseman and the 22nd ranked player overall. This, despite the fact that Goldschmidt is the defending National League Most Valuable Player. In my rankings, I have him as the best first baseman in fantasy. On draft day, if indeed the FantasyPros pattern holds true, and he comes off the board in the late second round, Goldschmidt will certainly return more value than any other first baseman taken ahead of him.

In 2022, Goldschmidt did it all. He hit (.317), hit for power (35 homers) and drove in runs (115). Additionally, he scored runs (106), hit doubles (41) and walked (79 BB) and had a .404/.578/.982 slash line. He was top ten in the N.L. in virtually every category. When he puts the ball in play, good things happen (career .350 BAbip). At age 35, don’t expect that he will slip this season. Those concerns may not be far away, but there is no reason to be worried this season.

As mentioned, he is the defending MVP. How someone with that kind of resume can only rank 22nd in fantasy is beyond me. A manager can fill a need other than 1B in the first round and then select Goldschmidt with the second-round pick. Certainly, that will get a roster off to a great start. This strategy is the most recommended one that I think I have ever put forth in fantasy. Forget first base to start the draft and go get Goldschmidt in the second round.

Jose Miranda, Minnesota Twins

With the trade of Luis Arraez to Miami, all kinds of playing time opens up for Jose Miranda. He won’t need much of an increase as he appeared in 125 games last season, his first in the big leagues. For any player, let alone a rookie, Miranda turned in a successful season, hitting .268-15-66 with a .325/.426/.751 slash line. As with most young players, he needs to refine his strikeout to walk ratio, as it was 91 Ks to 28 BBs in 483 plate appearances.

Miranda has shown in the minors that he can better those numbers, as he put up 74 Ks/42BBs in 591 plate appearances in 2021. The rookie jitters are in the past and there is every expectation he will be in the Twins lineup 150 or more times in 2023. That Minnesota lineup should present plenty of opportunities for him to produce the excellent stats a fantasy manager is looking for in the later stages of a draft.

Over a full season, expect 20-25 homers and 85-90 RBIs. As the 18th ranked first baseman and 165th player overall on FantasyPros, Miranda is set to return massive value. Add in the fact that he also qualifies at third base and his value only increases. For those managers not happy with their first base situation (or third base for that matter), through the 14th or 15th round can select Miranda and he will quickly correct the problem. Doing just that is highly recommended on this fantasy baseball firstbase values edition.

Andrew Vaughn, Chicago White Sox

Without question, when it comes to having big shoes to fill in 2023, Andrew Vaughn goes to the head of the class. After all, Vaughn is only replacing one of the greatest hitters in Chicago White Sox history: José Abreu. In 134 games in his second major league season, Vaughn hit .271-17-76, to go along with a .321/.429/.750 slash line. Unlike most young players in today’s game, Vaughn kept his strikeouts below a 100 (96 in 510 at bats).

Stationed much of the time in the outfield last year, Vaughn will move to first base and take the place of Abreu. No one is expecting the kind of production Abreu gave Chicago year in and year out from Vaughn. If that was the case, he wouldn’t be featured as a value. However, he will produce the stats any fantasy manager is looking for in a later round selection, especially at first base, which as mentioned above, is extremely shallow this season.

The good news is that Vaughn already has enough games played at first to qualify at that position as well as the outfield in 2023. That kind of versatility can only increase Vaughn’s value to the manager that selects him. Ranked 13th at first and 136th overall by FantasyPros, the versatility Vaughn provides will significantly boost his value beyond that ceiling this season. Expect that Vaughn will play in the most games of his career, and for no other reason, he will soar far above his previous stats in every offensive category. Selecting Vaughn in the later rounds, simply stated, is a no-brainer in my opinion.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball firstbase values edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!