First base continues to be the deepest position, but it lost some notable players who had dual eligibility last year in Pablo Sandoval, Mark Reynolds, Victor Martinez and Nick Swisher. Meanwhile, an influx of young talent has fortified the position but is probably not ready to make a big impact in Ike Davis, Gaby Sanchez, Justin Smoak and Freddie Freeman. This all means that the strategy of waiting to draft a first baseman loses a little bit of credence and makes Albert Pujols that much more of a lock if you have the No. 1 pick.

Miguel Cabrera and Joey Votto have closed the gap on Pujols, and Adrian Gonzalez is poised to make a run at King Albert this season. Prince Fielder, Mark Teixeira and Ryan Howard look to bounce back from down seasons and remain top fall-back options.

Paul Konerko proved last year that first base is the position that ages the most gracefully, so don’t go forgetting about grizzled veterans Lance Berkman, Derrek Lee, Carlos Lee and Aubrey Huff.

The second in the RotoAce.com series of fantasy baseball position rankings is first basemen, so let’s look at how they all fit together and where you might find some potential bargains or pitfalls in your fantasy baseball draft or auction.  All ages are as of Opening Day.

TIER 1	Age	PA	BA	R	HR	RBI	SB
1. Albert Pujols, Cardinals	31	657	.320	110	37	113	10
2. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers	27	648	.310	100	33	112	4
3. Joey Votto, Reds	27	655	.300	101	31	104	11
TIER 2	Age	PA	BA	R	HR	RBI	SB
4. Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox	28	683	.290	100	36	110	1
5. Prince Fielder, Brewers	26	669	.280	102	37	108	1
6. Mark Teixeira, Yankees	31	665	.280	101	33	105	0
7. Ryan Howard, Phillies	31	668	.260	93	40	108	1
TIER 3	Age	PA	BA	R	HR	RBI	SB
8. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox	32	621	.290	92	24	95	4
9. Adam Dunn, White Sox	31	659	.250	94	39	101	1
10. Billy Butler, Royals	24	662	.300	88	17	87	0
11. Justin Morneau, Twins	29	562	.290	80	23	86	0
12. Paul Konerko, White Sox	35	622	.270	83	29	90	0
13. Kendry Morales, Angels	27	535	.290	76	24	84	1
TIER 4	Age	PA	BA	R	HR	RBI	SB
14. Lance Berkman, Cardinals	35	593	.270	80	23	80	4
15. Carlos Lee, Astros	34	631	.270	75	24	83	4
16. Carlos Pena, Cubs	32	616	.230	82	32	86	3
17. Kila Ka’aihue, Royals	27	645	.260	89	28	84	1
18. Adam LaRoche, Nationals	31	629	.260	79	24	82	2
19. Aubrey Huff, Giants	34	619	.280	82	20	80	3
20. Derrek Lee, Orioles	35	572	.270	72	19	85	5
21. Gaby Sanchez, Marlins	27	626	.270	81	18	78	5
22. Mitch Moreland, Rangers	25	557	.270	71	18	73	4
23. James Loney, Dodgers	26	648	.280	78	12	71	7
24. Ike Davis, Mets	24	647	.260	80	18	76	3
TIER 5	Age	PA	BA	R	HR	RBI	SB
25. Matt LaPorta, Indians	26	644	.250	75	24	80	1
26. Michael Cuddyer, Twins	32	643	.270	77	16	75	5
27. Justin Smoak, Mariners	24	634	.240	75	18	67	1
28. Freddie Freeman, Braves*	21	563	.270	66	14	68	2
29. Brett Wallace, Astros	24	588	.260	68	18	67	0
30. Garrett Jones, Pirates	29	448	.270	51	17	53	5

Aubrey Huff (ADP #14, RotoAce #19) was one of the most pleasant surprises last year, but now you don’t want to pay the resulting increased price. Huff’s been so inconsistent in his career that it’s not safe to put too much stock in a 34-year-old coming off only his second above-average season in his past four. There just aren’t a ton of offensive numbers to go around in the Giants’ mediocre lineup and pitcher-friendly home ballpark.

Garrett Jones (ADP #24, RotoAce #30) came back to earth last season after an unlikely breakout as a 28-year-old rookie in 2009. Now he’ll platoon with Matt Diaz in left field for the Pirates after hitting just .220 against lefties last season. While this may allow his average to come up around the .262 he hit against righties, it will hurt his counting stats too much to make him worth starting in fantasy. Jones is barely worth a spot as a bench flier in case he comes into more ABs.

Kila Ka’aihue (ADP #26, RotoAce #17) finally arrived in Kansas City for more than a cup of coffee last season and flashed the power and patience that were his calling card in the minors. The 27-year-old should be able to hold down a regular job this season, rotating between first base and DH with Billy Butler. Ka’aihue’s career path is reminiscent of Kevin Youkilis, whose ability to draw walks kept him on the prospect radar until finally getting a full-time gig as a 27-year-old in 2006. But Youkilis never hit for the power in the minors that Ka’aihue did. So what we’re saying is that the Royals had a more powerful version of Youkilis rotting in Triple-A for three years! The main risks are that the Royals could still find a way to screw this up, and that elite first base prospect Eric Hosmer could force his way into the picture before season’s end. We’re betting that Ka’aihue cashes in on his opportunity and becomes a fantasy breakout this season.

Lance Berkman (ADP #21, RotoAce #14) never really got it going after having knee surgery in the spring. Just when he was rounding into form, the Astros shipped him off to the American League, where it took him a while to get adjusted to life as a Yankee. Now, he’ll be back in the NL and hitting in the middle of a potent Cardinals lineup alongside Pujols and Matt Holliday. Veteran hitters have a way of finding a second life in St. Louis under Tony LaRussa – remember Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds? This is a guy with a career .959 OPS who was still at .895 two seasons ago, so don’t stick a fork in the Big Puma just yet.