Top Five First Basemen Of 2016 Season
Moving into the first basemen category, this one is tricky. All these players share one thing in common, and that is there ability to slam the ball out of the park. Here are the top 5 first basemen for the 2016 season:
5. Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers
Even at the age of 33, Gonzalez is a proven veteran who has the stats to back up his case for this ranking. With 28 HR and 90 RBI, Gonzalez has been one of the most proven athletes at his position. Not only can he prove himself with the swing of the bat, but most people don’t know that Gonzalez is actually a four-time Gold Glove winner.
4. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
With 29 HR and an average of .314 last season, Votto surprised many. Votto finished third in the MVP race, but the only doubt I have about him is his ability to stay healthy. Due to injury, Votto was forced to sit out of most of the 2014 season. Expect for Votto to be hungry for first in the MVP race in 2016.
3. Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
Rizzo started his success in the 2014 season, and hasn’t been able to stop since. Him and Kris Byrant have been the face of the franchise, making them a team on the rise. Only at 26 years old, Rizzo is smack dab in the middle of his prime for the next three to five years I would say.
2. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
The reason Cabrera isn’t sitting at the top of this list is because of the constant injuries he has suffered lately. Even though he has multiple batting titles, I simply don’t have all my eggs into this basket. Cabrera will be great this season I’m sure, but I can’t fully claim that he will remain healthy.
1. Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
Since 2013, Goldschmit has been selected to three All-Star games, has 2 Silver Slugger awards, and has finished second in MVP voting twice. Goldschmidt has been a powerhouse in the NL and is a batter that all pitchers fear. I predict for Goldschmidt to be just as great this year, and to finish in the top 3 for NL MVP.
