The sheer number of slugging first basemen in the 2008 college junior class has
been well chronicled. In fact, there may have never been a draft class with so many
top prospects at the position.
The accompanying list identifies only those players who are playing first base this
season in college. They are ranked on a performance basis. For the purposes of pro
ball, though, the list could include Arizona State third baseman Brett Wallace,
who moved across the diamond this season to accommodate Ike Davis at first—though
Davis himself may end up back in the outfield at the next level. Also keep in mind
that Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez, the projected No. 1 pick in this year’s
draft, could also take an Albert Pujols-type career progression and end up at first
base in the future.
One thing this group shares is the respect of pitchers. Yonder Alonso, Allan Dykstra
and Justin Smoak all have exceptionally sharp batting eyes and rank among the national
leaders in walks.
Another common thread is lefthandedness. Six of the slugging first basemen are lefthanded
hitters—add Alvarez to that list, too—while two (Smoak and Wallace) are switchhitters.
Among the 10 noted, only Jeremy Farrell and Xavier Scruggs are righthanded hitters.
Based on performance, here are the top 10 first basemen in the 2008 junior class:
|
|
Rank |
Player |
Pos. |
School |
Accomplishment |
Draft Status ‘08 |
|
1 |
Ike Davis |
|
Arizona State |
.423-14-57, 20 2B |
Low 1st round |
|
2 |
David Cooper |
|
California |
.385-14-39, 27 BB |
Supplemental 1st |
|
3 |
Yonder Alonso |
|
Miami |
.358-8-33, 41 BB |
Mid 1st |
|
4 |
Xavier Scruggs |
|
UNLV |
.425-9-37, 17 2B |
4th-8th |
|
5 |
Justin Smoak |
|
South Carolina |
.362-10-29, 34 BB |
High 1st |
|
6 |
Jeremy Farrell |
|
Virginia |
.354-7-38, 18 BB |
3rd-6th |
|
7 |
Allan Dykstra |
|
Wake Forest |
.310-8-20, 39 BB |
Supplemental 1st |
|
8 |
Matt Clark |
|
Louisiana State |
.325-13-28, 23 BB |
3rd-6th |
|
9 |
Shane Peterson |
|
Long Beach State |
.341-2-31, 20 BB |
2nd-3rd |
|
10 |
Jeremy Hamilton |
|
Wright State |
.396-4-41 |
5th-8th |
|
|
-- DAVID RAWNSLEY |
Top Ten List Archives |
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