Top First Base Prospects
Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
Bellinger sits atop most prospect rankings for first basemen. The Dodgers’ 2013 fourth-round pick belted 30 homers in the California League during his breakout 2015 campaign. He added 26 last season en route to a Triple-A call-up.
Scouts tab him as a potential Gold Glover and thirty home-run hitter. He’s only 21 and can play all three outfield positions; this will help him get a call up to the majors quicker. Target him in dynasty leagues and deep keeper leagues. Stash him on your ten-to-twelve person competitions. It will pay off in the long run.
Bobby Bradley, Cleveland Indians
Bradley won the Arizona League (Rookie level) Triple Crown Award in 2014. Last season, he tallied career highs in home runs (29) and RBIs (102) to win the Most Valuable Player trophy from the Carolina League.
Bradley is only 20 years old but has built himself quite the resume. His downside for fantasy players is that he strikes out a lot (he whiffed 170 times in 572 plate appearances in 2016). A high number of strikeouts translates into a lower average in most cases. Bradley can get a call up in the late summer, but in deep keeper and dynasty leagues, he is a must add with his high upside.
Rowdy Tellez, Toronto Blue Jays
Rowdy Tellez is shooting up the prospect rankings after last season’s Double-A performance. In his first AA season, he hit 23 home runs to compliment 81 RBIs and a .387 on-base percentage.
Tellez could help fill Edwin Encarnacion’s void if the Blue Jays struggle at first base. He is looking more of a first base/DH in the AL because of his size and lack of speed, but that doesn’t matter in fantasy. He is more of a deep keeper and dynasty league player, but if he gets the call, he could potentially wreck havoc.
