Power, respect and production are three words that come to mind when thinking about the talent that resides at first base in Major League Baseball. In 2007, there were 10 players that recorded 30 or more long balls and five that had a .300-plus batting average.

In 2008, like any other year, first base will be a position that sees many of its top-notch members disappear in the first two rounds. However, there are plenty of names that can be had at a much cheaper price in the later rounds of your draft. For instance, career .332 hitter Todd Helton of the Colorado Rockies can be snagged around the 12th round. Another option is shortstop turned first baseman Carlos Guillen of the Detroit Tigers. He supplies multi-position eligibility, a career .290 average, 20-plus home run potential and the speed to net you 10-plus stolen bases.

So, if your buddies are starting to harvest the prime crop of players early, don’t worry yourself into a stupor, just stick to your original plan and cherry-pick the high upside talent that is always available as your draft twists and turns to what is hopefully a happy ending.

Also, in case your inquiring mind was wondering, I will have a special section for designated hitters like David Ortiz and Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner. In that piece, I will highlight the top-five guys at the spot.

Below I will focus on the top-10 players at first base. In addition, I’ll leadoff with what kind of relevance Boston Red Sox 2007 Gold Glove winning first baseman Kevin Youkilis has in the cutthroat world of fantasy baseball.

The Golden Glove

Kevin Youkilis (1B/3B) Boston Red Sox

In 2007, Youkilis posted career highs in batting average (.288), home runs (16), RBIs (83), slugging percentage (.453) and OPS (.843) in 528 at-bats. In addition, he cranked 35 doubles and crossed the plate 85 times in his fourth big league season. In deep mixed formats is where Youkilis’ real value lies as he provides owners with decent statistics in all offensive categories, except for steals of course. His plate discipline (77 walks in 2007) will eventually lead to his batting average to soar above .300, so monitor Youkilis closely as the starting gun for the season goes off. Although Youkilis doesn’t fit the mold of his home run mashing colleagues at the position, he can be expected to net you at least 15 dingers, if not more. Thus far, Youkilis is going early in the 19th round, so plan accordingly if you intend to add the “Greek God of Walks” to your roster.

Top-10 First Basemen

1.) Albert Pujols (1B) St. Louis Cardinals

Come on! Did you think you would see anyone else gracing this spot? Last season, Pujols (elbow) hit .327 with career lows in home runs (32), RBIs (103) and runs scored (99). However, he struck out less than 60 times for the second consecutive season and posted a luscious .997 OPS that truly supports how good he is, even in an “off” year. Entering 2008, Pujols is suffering from an elbow injury that has been routinely blamed for the 2007 season that wasn’t Pujols-like. As a result, he is slipping significantly in drafts and is being grabbed anywhere from the mid first-round to the early second-round. My advice here is to avoid Pujols if you can, I don’t trust lingering injuries and there is far too much depth at first base to take your chances with a slugger whose power producing engine is not 100 percent. However, there is no denying the impact of a player that has recorded seven straight seasons with 30-plus home runs, 100-plus RBIs and a .310-plus average. The choice is yours!

2.) Prince Fielder (1B) Milwaukee Brewers

In 2007, the 23-year-old son of former MLB slugger Cecil Fielder joined his dad in the 50 home run club with 50 of his own. In addition, he hit .288 with 119 RBIs, 109 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 1.013 OPS in 573 at-bats. With a season like 2007 now notched in his belt, there is no question that he will only get better as his star continues to rise. After the All-Star break in 2007, Fielder hit .293 with 21 home runs, 49 RBIs, 47 runs scored and a 1.034 OPS in 249 at-bats. The fact that he maintained his torrid pace throughout the season is a crucial indicator in weighing the young home run hitter’s future success. He’s also made some adjustments to his lifestyle by recently adopting a vegetarian diet in hopes to trim some fat and become a leaner and more agile athlete. Scary! Fielder is a first-round pick with the potential to spew production that is worthy of the first overall selection. If you plan on owning the phenom, I advise you to buckle up and enjoy the ride.

3.) Ryan Howard (1B) Philadelphia Phillies

After winning 2006 National League Most Valuable Player honors by registering a sick .313 batting average with 58 home runs, 149 RBIs, 104 runs scored and a ridiculous 1.084 OPS in 581 at-bats, his 2007 encore performance was considered by many to be a disappointment. In 2007, the 6-foot-4, 252-pound slugger hit a Canseco-like .268 with 47 home runs, 136 RBIs, 94 runs scored and a .976 OPS in 529 at-bats. The alarming 45 point dip in batting average, 40 less hits and 199 strikeouts last season are something to be very wary about when deciding to add the consensus first-round pick to your lineup. However, his combined total of 105 home runs and 285 RBIs over the last two seasons is far too tempting to pass up. In addition, having shown the ability to hit .300-plus in 2006 demonstrates that Howard has the ability to post the numbers of a well-rounded offensive powerhouse. He’s one of the most potent and talented players in the game, if you’re looking for power, he won’t disappoint.

4.) Mark Teixeira (1B) Atlanta Braves

The trade to Atlanta proved to be the saving grace for the 6-foot-3, 220-pound slugger. In 208 at-bats for the Braves, the switch-hitting Georgia Tech alum hit .317 with 17 home runs, 56 RBIs, 38 runs scored and a 1.020 OPS. Between the Rangers and Atlanta, Teixeira combined to hit .306 with 30 home runs, 105 RBIs and 86 runs scored in 494 at-bats. However, 2007 marked the fifth consecutive campaign with 110-plus whiffs for Teixeira, which unfortunately seems to be his only unfavorable quality. Going into 2008, Teixeira is considered a legit second-round pick with the ability to approach numbers that he’s never seen before. His uncanny power and ability to create contact make him an undeniable favorite to crank for years to come. Plus, he turns 28 in April, which means that he’s running neck and neck with his prime years.

5.) Lance Berkman (1B/OF) Houston Astros

In 2006, Berkman (oblique) posted career highs in home runs (45), RBIs (136) and slugging percentage (.621). In addition, he hit a pretty .315 with 95 runs scored and a 1.041 OPS in 536 at-bats. So, as you can vividly imagine, when the 2007 draft rolled around, fantasy owners like me were drooling uncontrollably at the thought of grabbing the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Rice alum. Unfortunately, many disgruntled owners were startled by his final stat line of a .278 average with 34 long balls, 102 RBIs, 95 runs scored and his worst OPS (.896) since the .708 he posted in his 1999 debut for Houston. Now, word out of Houston’s camp is that Berkman suffered a strained oblique taking left-handed hacks on Feb. 24. But there is a positive as the 2008 season approaches with uncontrollable thoughts of drafting the switch-hitter dancing in your head. Last year in August and September combined, Berkman finished his horrible 2007 campaign hotter than a brick oven pizza when he hit .311 with 17 home runs, 36 RBIs and 38 runs scored in 206 at-bats. Entering 2008, Berkman should be considered a solid third-round grab with 40-homer ability that could easily return to the slugger of old, which is indicated by his tremendous finish to last year. Just make sure to monitor his oblique strain like a hawk, his swing could be hampered for an extended amount of time.

6.) Justin Morneau (1B) – Minnesota Twins

The 26-year-old 2006 American League MVP plummeted into the depths of scarcity in 2007 with a .271 average, 31 bombs, 111 RBIs, 84 runs scored and a .834 OPS in 590 at-bats. His batting average fell 50 points in 2007 from his 2006 MVP season along with 30 less hits, 19 less RBIs and a gargantuan 100 point dip in OPS. In addition, he recorded his third straight campaign with 90-plus strikeouts. However, every big league hitter is allowed an off year, but with newly anointed Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Torii Hunter taking swings under the California sun, the pressure is on for Morneau to produce. The scariest thing about Morneau’s regression from 2006 was that in 268 at-bats after the All-Star break in 2007, he recorded a laughable .243 average with seven home runs, 37 RBIs, 27 runs scored and a .702 OPS. So, with hopes that it was just an abnormally rough second half for the Canadian masher, Morneau should start flying off draft boards at the end of the third-round.

7.) Derrek Lee (1B) – Chicago Cubs

After being limited to 50 games in 2006 with a broken wrist, Lee returned in 2007 with a nice comeback campaign. In 567 at-bats, he hit .317 with 22 home runs, 82 RBIs, 91 runs scored and a .913 OPS. However, he recorded his eighth season with 100 or more strikeouts in 11 MLB campaigns. But, that’s the only real negative to Lee’s game as another season removed from the broken wrist should see the 6-foot-5, 245-pound mammoth showcase additional power and increased bat speed. After the 2007 All-Star break, Lee posted a .302 average with 16 home runs, 40 RBIs, 45 runs scored and a .941 OPS in 258 at-bats. Thus far in Spring Training he looks good, strong and ready to pad stats for his fortunate fantasy owners once again. So, as draft day approaches, you should expect to see the former 1994 14th overall pick by the San Diego Padres go somewhere near the end of the fourth-round.

8.) Carlos Pena (1B) – Tampa Bay Rays

In 2007, Pena posted career highs in batting average (.282), hits (138), doubles (29), home runs (46), RBIs (121), runs scored (99), OBP (.411), slugging percentage (.627), OPS (1.037), at-bats (490) and games played (148). The Northeastern alum finished scorching hot in 2007 when he hit a ridiculous .318 last September with 13 bombs, 29 RBIs, 21 runs scored and a nasty 1.279 OPS in 88 at-bats. So, with a new season upon us and Pena’s recently signed three-year deal worth roughly $24 million in his pocket, expect the slugger to shed the label of a one-hit wonder and remain a solid fantasy producer for seasons to come. If you can get past his four campaigns with 110-plus strikeouts then you should consider targeting the 29-year-old around the middle of the sixth-round. His immense talent has finally seeped through his 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame and now it’s time for owners to revel in his success.

9.) Adrian Gonzalez (1B) – San Diego Padres

The 25-year-old Gonzalez burst onto the scene last year with an April and May that saw him combine for a .297 average with 12 home runs, 37 RBIs and 30 runs scored in 212 at-bats. As a young player entering his prime, he has the makeup to be a fine hitter in the bat stifling confines of PETCO Park. He showed resiliency and true MLB durability throughout the year, which was exemplified by the 6-foot-2, 220-pound slugger hitting a solid .305 with 14 home runs, 37 RBIs and 44 runs scored in 233 August, September and October at-bats combined. His final 2007 stat line of a .282 average with 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, 101 runs scored and a .849 OPS in 646 at-bats was thoroughly impressive. He’s well on his way to stardom on a team that is poised to make a solid run at the NL West crown. The only negative attribute that Gonzalez totes with him is his two straight campaigns with 110-plus whiffs; he struck out a whopping 140 times in 2007. However, as we enter the 2008 season he should provide owners with a solid bat at first. On draft day, it’s safe to assume that his name will be called somewhere around the sixth-round.

10.) Carlos Guillen (1B/SS) – Detroit Tigers

Due to the acquisition of former Braves shortstop Edgar Renteria, the Tigers made the decision to move Guillen to first base in hopes of keeping the 32-year-old switch-hitter healthy. In 2007, the multi-position eligible veteran hit .296 with 21 home runs, 102 RBIs, 86 runs scored and 13 stolen bases in 564 at-bats. In addition, he struck out only 93 times and participated in 150-plus games for the second time in his 10-year career. His health has positively progressed over his last two campaigns and with his move to first; the career .290 hitter should register at least 540-plus at-bats. He possesses decent speed, which is exemplified by three seasons with 10 or more swipes and his ability to hit the gaps is supported by his four seasons with five or more triples. His career .807 OPS exemplifies his ability to hit and now that the Tigers’ lineup is stacked to the brink of a nuclear meltdown, his keen batting eye should provide fantasy owners with decent numbers in 2008. On draft day, expect Guillen’s name to be beckoned around the sixth-round.

Rob McCarthy has played fantasy sports since the days of tediously transferring his daily points from the Boston Herald to a tattered notepad every morning. He has been featured on Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports and currently scribes for KFFL.com. In addition, Rob is an avid fan of all Boston sports.

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