2009 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: First Basemen

1. Rich Aurilia, FA
One of the most traveled players in the majors still has one good season in him. He is no longer a 400 at-bat player, but should help a contender late in the season with his timely batting. He will never again hit 23 HRs and 70 RBIs as he did in 2006, but if he can find a home where he could play 100+ games, a 10 HR, 45 to 50 RBI season is not out of the realm of possibility. Aurilia has his shortcomings, which his age (is 37) only accentuates, but he will be a nice addition to a club in a contending race. A "sleepers" sleeper.

2. Wilson Betemit, CHW
Betemit is another player who is primed for a bigger role in 2009. He's behind Paul Korneko who is 33 and coming off a somewhat down season (22 HRs and 62 RBIs after averaging 32 HRs and 98 RBIs the previous 4 seasons). Because of Korneko's age, the 'Sox will likely play him more at DH - a role he played only five times in 2008. This will give Betemit more opportunities. He does not hit for a lot of average, but he has some pop. He banged 6 homers with 25 RBIs in just 189 at bats. He also slugged .429, which means manager Ozzie Guillen will find opportunities to get him in the lineup. The X factor here is Betemit's one year contract. This means he will viewed for a bigger deal.

3. Pablo Sandoval, SF
Sandoval played seventeen games at first, eleven at catcher and twelve more at third, which is indicative one of two things. The team he plays for has offensive deficiencies or he is too good of an offensive player to sit down. Bet on the later. Only 25 years old, the switch hitting Sandoval has what other sleepers crave for, big time power. He batted only 145 times in 2008, but still managed to drive 24 runs and dispatch 3 homers with a robust .357 average. He will get into the field (projects as SF starting third baseman now) but his lack of range and poor throwing mechanics will place him at first. It's just a matter of time.

4. Kevin Millar, FA
Millar is a 37-year old free agent who, despite having minimal offensive skills, still managed to hit 20 homers with 72 RBIs and a .234 batting average. He averages 17 HRs, 66 RBIs and a slugging percent of .409. All impressive numbers. There's no question he is at the end of his career, but "old dogs sensing their ends" usually have one last good season in them. Millar is no different. If he finds a steady team, his production points towards a good final year. He should hit .250 with 10 to 15 homers, 50 RBIs and a slugging percent of .388 in limited duties.

5. Chris Duncan, STL
The Cardinals have the best first baseman in the majors in Albert Pujos, but he has elbow issues coming into 2009. If Pujols has to miss any time due to injuries, Duncan will be more than ready. At 27 and with a productive, but somewhat limited playing career, the big left-handed batter has put up impressive numbers. He batted .248 on 222 at bats with 6 HRs and just 27 RBIs. An outfielder by trade, his recent neck injury might force him to the infield corners. He played 21 games at 1B last year and should see that total increase even if Pujols remains healthy.