Making the Grade: Ranking First Basemen in the AL Central

Mar 8, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians gloves and caps sit in the dugout during to a spring training baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The American League Central is packed full of elite first basemen.

The division has had four AL MVPs since 2009 and three of those awards currently reside with the division’s first basemen – Miguel Cabrera and Joe Mauer. Last year’s AL Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu led the AL in batting average (.317) and home runs (36) at the position and Eric Hosmer won his second Gold Glove. Carlos Santana led all of baseball with 113 walks last season while putting together an impressive second half.

This piece highlights the elite first basemen who occupy the division and ranks them, from 1-5, in reverse order from most productive to least productive.

Next: No. 5