Classic Set Previews: FIRST BASEMEN

Definitely one of the deepest positions in the set, with 9 of the 25 players being over 400 points and 18/25 over 300 points. There's power galore, especially from legendary players like Dick Allen, Orlando Cepeda, Tony Perez, and Gil Hodges. John Olerud snagged one of the elusive OB 11s, with Jack Clark being close behind (so close he got an OB 10, on at 2!). This is really a can't miss position and every team should be able to plug a first basemen into the heart of their order easily.

Name	Year	PTS	TEAM	On-Base	Speed	Fielding	HR	3B	2B	1B+	1B	BB	FB	GB	K
Dick Allen	66	490	PHI	9	B (17)	0	16-20	14-15	11-13	0	9-10	6-8	0	0	1-5
Tony Perez	70	480	CINCY	9	B (15)	1	16-20	15	13-14	0	8-12	3-7	0	0	1-4
John Mayberry	1975	470	KC	10	B (14)	0	18-20	0	15-17	0	12-14	4-11	3	0	1-2
John Olerud	93	460	TOR	11	C (10)	1	20	0	15-19	0	11-14	3-10	2	0	1
Boog Powell	1970	460	BALT	10	C (10)	0	18-20	0	16-17	0	12-15	4-11	3	0	1-2
Jack Clark	87	450	STL	10	C (10)	0	18-20	0	17	0	12-16	2-11	0	0	1-2
Orlando Cepeda	61	410	SF	8	B (16)	1	15-20	0	13-14	12	5-11	0	4	0	1-3
Cecil Cooper	1980	410	MIL	9	B (17)	1	18-20	0	16-17	0	6-15	5	2-4	1	0
Mark Grace	95	400	CHC	9	B (14)	1	19-20	0	14-18	13	8-12	3-7	2	1	0
Gil Hodges	54	390	LAD	8	C (11)	1	15-20	14	13	0	9-12	4-8	3	0	1-2
Hal McRae	1976	390	KC	10	A (19)	--	20	0	18-19	17	8-16	4-7	2-3	0	1
Keith Hernandez	86	380	NYM	10	B (14)	2	20	0	18-19	17	11-16	4-10	0	3	1-2
Leon Durham	82	370	CHC	9	A (20)	0	19-20	18	15-17	0	10-14	5-9	4	0	1-3
Wally Joyner	1987	370	CAL	8	B (16)	0	16-20	0	13-15	0	9-12	4-8	3	0	1-2
John Kruk	87	360	SD	10	B (16)	0	20	0	0	19	10-18	5-9	4	0	1-3
Darrell Evans	87	360	DET	8	B (14)	1	16-20	0	15	14	11-13	3-10	0	0	1-2
Bob Robertson	70	340	PIT	8	B (13)	1	17-20	0	16	0	8-15	4-7	3	0	1-2
Mike Epstein	1972	330	OAK	8	C (10)	0	17-20	0	16	0	8-15	3-7	2	0	1
Glenn Davis	89	280	HOU	7	B (14)	0	15-20	0	13-14	0	10-12	5-9	0	0	1-4
Rich Reese	1969	270	MINN	8	C (10)	0	19-20	0	17-18	0	6-16	0	5	3-4	1-2
Bill Skowron	1960	240	NYY	7	C (11)	1	16-20	0	12-15	0	6-11	5	4	0	1-3
Ron Fairly	62	230	LAD	8	C (10)	0	20	18-19	17	0	9-16	4-8	0	2-3	1
Steve Garvey	83	210	SD	7	B (14)	1	17-20	0	14-16	13	5-12	0	2-4	1	0
Dave Bergman	84	100	DET	7	C (12)	1	0	20	19	0	5-18	4	0	1-3	0
George Scott	1977	130	BOS	6	C (11)	1	15-20	0	12-14	11	7-10	5-6	0	0	1-4

One of my personal favorite players growing up, John Olerud was an on-base and double stud in 1993. I think he makes one of the best #2 hitters in the game, as he's fantastic at getting on-base, putting himself in scoring position, and either advancing or scoring a leadoff hitter. While many will be put off by his lack of power, I'll take that sweet OB 11, double at 15, walk at 3 and plug it into my lineup all day!