2008 Preview: First basemen

Coincidentally, Phillies.com posted its season preview story for the hot corners today. The big news is that Ryan Howard [stats] will be the team’s starting first baseman this year. It also expounds upon the Greg Dobbs/Wes Helms platoon at third, but that’s a discussion for another day.

Should Howard find himself on the disabled list again this season, expect Helms, who has made 253 major-league appearances at first, to take over again. Other Phils with experience at first include Dobbs (22 times in the majors, 114 games in the minors), Chase Utley (24 in the majors), Eric Bruntlett (only once in the bigs and three times in the minors), Jayson Werth (once last year and 30 games in the minors), and former first baseman Pat Burrell.

Down on the farm, the Phillies have four infielders who are very capable of starting at first base at the Triple-A level: Juan Tejeda, who spent last year at Double-A Reading; and Val Pascucci, Mike Cervenak, and Andy Tracy – all offseason signings and spring-training invitees.

Juan Tejeda, 26, has the best prospects of becoming an everyday first baseman in the Major Leagues – though not with the Phillies. If Tejeda [stats] can show off his skills in the Lehigh Valley this year, he could be dealt away midseason to address some more pressing needs of the big team. Tejeda broke into the rookie league in 2001 in the Detroit Tigers’ organization and progressed well, playing at Low-A in 2002, High-A in 2003, and Double-A in 2004, but he found himself back at Double-A in 2005. He moved on to other franchises in 2006, peaking at Triple-A with the New York Mets but only playing at High-A with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Phillies signed Tejeda in 2007, and he had a good year in Reading, hitting .248 with 10 home runs. Because there are so many capable first basemen in the organization, Tejeda could be the premier first baseman for the IronPigs or he may be slowly integrated into Triple-A play throughout the season – if he’s not traded first. Opening Day: Lehigh Valley IronPigs starting first baseman.

Valentino Pascucci, 29, progressed smoothly to the Major Leagues, breaking in primarily as an outfielder for the Montreal Expos in 2004. Pascucci [stats] was released by the Nationals that offseason, and Pascucci missed the 2005 season. He played ball in Japan in 2006 before the Florida Marlins signed him and sent him to Triple-A last season. Pascucci has a lot of power, which he demonstrated by smacking 34 home runs for Albuquerque in 2007. He also posted a .284 average and stole nine bases. Pascucci appears to be a solid player who could succeed at the next level, but he’s running out of time. With five infielders already designated to start the season at Triple-A, Pascucci may have to spend some time in Reading. Opening Day: Reading Phillies starting first baseman.

Mike Cervenak, 31, has played more games at third base (408) than at first (341) but manned first four times as frequently for Triple-A Norfolk in 2007. Cervenak [stats] led the International League in hits (157) last year. Still, with so many qualified first basemen to choose from, I expect the Phillies to move Cervenak to third and, because he may have passed his prime, he may find himself moving down the affiliate ladder instead of up. Opening Day: Reading Phillies starting third baseman.

Andy Tracy, 34, has spent parts of three different seasons (2000 and 2001 with Montreal; 2004 with Colorado) in the Majors but has been stuck at Triple-A for the three years since. The OIP blog expects Tracy to start for the IronPigs, and as his numbers last year (.271 average, 23 homers) suggest, he is still a capable hitter. But with such a full roster of position players, Tracy [stats] will have to really impress at spring training to secure a spot with the Phillies organization. He is currently playing in the Dominican Winter League; maybe he should keep his passport handy and finish his career in Japan. Opening Day: Traded or released.

Several other players who are expected to play at the Triple- or Double-A level this season also have experience at first base: Catcher Paul Hoover (1 Major League appearance at 1B; 56 in the minors); second basemen Joey Hammond (66 times in the minors), Casey Smith (27), and Brad Harman (1); third basemen Neil Sellers (67) and Brennan King (9); and utility player Luke Appert (5).

The rest of the Phillies’ first basemen are young up-and-comers who will likely spend at least the first part of another season below the Double-A level.

Clay Harris, 25, played all of last season with High-A Clearwater, where he hit .255 with 10 home runs, 23 doubles, and 64 RBI. Harris [stats] was drafted in the ninth round of the 2005 draft out of LSU, and he spent the summer of ’05 with short-season Batavia. He played at Low-A Lakewood in 2006 and got his shot with Clearwater in ’07. He may find himself in Reading before 2008 is over. Opening Day: Clearwater Threshers starting first baseman.

Douglas Morales, 22, was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003. The lefty from Nicaragua played one season (2005) in the rookie Gulf Coast League and split 2006 among Batavia (SS), Lakewood (Low A), and Clearwater (High A). Morales [stats] landed back in Lakewood for 2007, where he hit a mediocre .250 and hasn’t shown any long-ball power. In addition to first base, Morales has also spent significant time in the outfield. Opening Day: Clearwater Threshers backup utility player.

Charlie Yarbrough, 23, was the Ohio Valley Conference player of the year and a Conference All-Star First Baseman with Eastern Kentucky in 2006. Yarbrough [stats] debuted with the Batavia Muckdogs that year and moved up to Lakewood in 2007. He had a lackluster season, hitting only .215 with two home runs. Opening Day: Lakewood BlueClaws starting first baseman.

Matt Rizzotti, 22, graduated from Manhattan College last year after receiving many conference honors. The Phillies took him in the sixth round of the 2007 draft and he played in 63 games for Williamsport. With a .260 average and two home runs, Rizzotti [stats] shows promise. Opening Day: Lakewood BlueClaws backup first baseman.

Mike Durant, 21, is the youngest first baseman in the organization. The Phillies selected Durant [stats] in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, and he spent two seasons in the rookie leagues. He played all of last year with short-season Williamsport, where he hit .236 with five home runs. Expect him to spend another year with the CrossCutters. Opening Day: Williamsport CrossCutters starting first baseman.