MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2013: Firstbase

               There has apparently been a changing of the guard at first base. When we made our first set in 2009 it appeared as if Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard and Prince Fielder were going to champion this position for another decade. Half that amount of time later and only Fielder put up numbers even deemed serviceable by Showdown standards. Paul Goldschmidt produced and all around great season with 36 homer, 3 triples, 36 doubles and 15 steals. Joey Votto continues to be an on-base machine with his “selfish” approach at the plate (I love it, don’t change a thing Joey). Freddie Freeman blossomed into well rounded player. Edwin Encarnacion has a power stroke of 36 for the Blue Jays so he was not a one hit wonder. I nearly forgot Chris Davis was a single home run (or triple) away from having an elite power card with 53 homers (and 1 triple). Odd trivia there, Chris Davis is the only player to ever end the year with 53 homers.

               As always we will lead off with my favorite play-style: the power hitters. This is an easy one if you followed baseball this year. Chris Davis is a first round pick. He is a 9, 16-20 HR, 13-15 2B for 560 points. He has a 1-2 out which is nice. He is going to be avoided in the first round by all other play styles because of his cost, speed and 9 on-bases. Hope you have a 3-6 pick in your draft and take him early. He is not a first round choice for anyone except power players. Trout likely will go first and Goldschmidt and Votto may sneak into the first round. These are all good things for drafting this fantastic card. If you miss him you have Encarnacion as a 10, 18-20 speed B (15) for 510 points as a back up to draft in the 2-4 rounds. Adam Dunn is the most interesting 10-15 round player of this class. A 7, 15-20 HR speed C(9) for 300 points is an interesting player if you decide to go Cabrera with your first pick and Bautista with your second.

               Pingers have their man in this class with Eric Hosmer. Of course 250 points, 9 speed B(14) 1B+1 with 20 HR, 19 3B and 17-18 2B. He fits the mold and he can be taken after round 5 because other players will fight for points. He can bat 2,5,6,7 for these line-ups. Maybe Freddie Freeman is a choice here in 4-5 rounds as a 10, speed B(14) 19-20 HR, 17-18 2B. These players love their value 3-4 hitters. May see him paired with Holliday for those modified Pingers who want some thump. Moneyballers also like Freeman the most of this class but don’t be surprised to see them resort to a utility player here. That is if they don’t take Votto as an 11, speed B(17), 19-20 HR, 17-18 2B for 570 points as a round 1-3 pick.

               Smallballers will love Goldschmidt as a 3 hitter. They will not love the price of 610 points for a 10, speed A(20), 18-20 HR, 15-17 2B, 14 1B+ with 1B+1. The problem is he is too good of a player to pass up. Of course they will go with Mike Trout if he is on the board but afterward this is the player. There is not dominant 10, speed A +20 speed player with no homer in this class. Without the prototypical lead-off hitter this line up will have to get creative. Brandon Belt at 350 points for a 9, A(18), 20 HR, 19 3B, 16-18 2B is the second option and will go soon after Votto in leagues with multiple Smallball players.

               It is always better to have a DH if you are looking for pure pinch hitters. Gaby Sanchez provides an 8, speed B(13) with no homer for 80 points as the best bench player of this class. He could stay in in a double switch situation and not be a complete waste. Greg Dobbs is a 6, speed C(12) with no homer as a 10 point player. Those always go higher than you would think in drafts. Mitch Moreland, Lyle Overbay and Brett Wallace are all under 100 points and all 5 on-base players who can save points.