Here’s an early peek at the RotoAce 2012 fantasy baseball rankings for first base.

1. Miguel Cabrera (left): It’s finally time for a changing of the guard, as the Tigers’ slugger moves into the top spot that Albert Pujols has inhabited for pretty much the past decade. Cabrera is smack-dab in the middle of his prime entering his age-28 season while Pujols is embarking on the backside of his career going into his age-32 season. Cabrera won the AL batting crown with a .344 mark and is a safe bet to keep up his trek to Cooperstown.

2. Adrian Gonzalez: Gonzalez didn’t enjoy the power surge many experts were forecasting when leaving San Diego’s Petco Park for Boston’s Fenway Park, but he still put up a fantastic .338-108-27-117-1 line. If the homers pick up, Gonzo could be the No. 1 first baseman in 2012.

3. Albert Pujols: While Pujols didn’t put up the kind of numbers we expected in his walk year, he still managed a .299-105-37-99-9 line despite missing nearly three weeks with a fractured wrist and culminated the season with his second World Series crown. It’s splitting hairs choosing between the top four first basemen and Pujols should still be as safe as they come despite the concerns of living up to a massive contract while moving past his prime.

4. Joey Votto: The 2010 NL MVP had a nice encore season, putting up a glittering .309-101-29-103-8 line. Also right in his prime entering his age-28 season, Votto is capable of becoming the top first baseman in part because of the handful of steals he sprinkles in as well as the hitter-friendly environs of Great American Ball Park.

5. Prince Fielder: The burly slugger bounced back from a down season with a whopping .299-95-38-120-1 line in his walk year and now he likely will be changing uniforms going into his age-27 season. Which ballpark and lineup he winds up in will impact his value some, but it’s unlikely the career .282 hitter will be able to match his career-high average of last season.

6. Mark Teixeira: After hitting at least .281 from 2004-2009, Tex has seen his average hover around .250 for the past two seasons. There’s some potential to see that mark climb in 2012, but it keeps him firmly down in the second tier at the position. The power numbers will remain huge hitting in the middle of the Yankees’ stacked lineup in their bandbox of a stadium.

7. Eric Hosmer: The kid had the look of a superstar as he burst out of the gate with a .293-66-19-78-11 line despite being just 21 and not arriving in K.C. until May 6. There’s a chance of some growing pains, but Hosmer also has a shot of vaulting himself up into the top tier if the power comes sooner than later.

8. Paul Konerko: The 35-year-old defied father time with another bang-up season, putting up a .300-69-31-105-1 line. It’s nice to be able to pick up a .300-30-100 guy as late as you can with Konerko, so if you miss out on the big guns, the White Sox slugger makes a great fall-back option.

9. Michael Morse: Everyone’s favorite preseason breakout candidate lived up to the hype with a brilliant .303-73-31-95-2 line. Entering his age-29 season but with only one full season in the books, Morse could continue to grow in 2012.

10. Ryan Howard: The ruptured Achilles’ tendon Howard suffered on the final out of the NLCS will scare off many a fantasy owner next season. But it’s not out of the question that Howard is ready to go on Opening Day, which would give him a chance to add to his string of six straight 100-RBI seasons. Entering his age-32 season and on a bad wheel, Howard’s days of 40+ homers are probably behind him, but he still has a shot to finish near the top tier.

Honorable mentions

Carlos Santana: Most owners will play Santana at catcher, but he managed 27 homers in his first full season and also qualifies at first base if you wind up stumbling upon next year’s Alex Avila in the draft.

Mike Napoli: Another guy who will nearly always get slotted at catcher, Napoli has position versatility to go the ridiculous .320-72-30-75-4 line he put up last season.

Mark Reynolds: After a slow start in 2011 on the heels of his .198 disaster the year before, Reynolds bounced back to club 37 homers and is a nice way to add power and position flexibility (first and third) later in the draft.

Michael Young: Young will also offer the flexibility of first and third base (and will qualify at second base in some leagues), so he makes for a solid mid-round pick coming off a .338 season despite having turned 35 during the World Series.

Freddie Freeman: Like Hosmer, put up solid numbers in his age-21 season (.282-67-21-76-4) and looks poised to be a top fantasy option at first base for the next decade.