Fantasy Baseball: Potential Busts At Each Position 2016

First Base: Albert Pujols

ESPN ADP: 13th First Baseman, 86th overall

Spend early and spend often when it comes to first basemen, but don’t do it on Albert Pujols.

A few years ago, Albert Pujols could have easily been justified as a first-overall pick. He’s no longer ‘the machine’ that he was then. He’s constantly dealing with an injury of some kind and his power comes with a low average.

If he’s still available late in the draft, by all means, you should take him and be happy that you got him. He did hit 40 home runs last season, but he’s also dealing with a foot issue that could see him hobbled and missing some time.

He’s a career .312 hitter, but his last three seasons have seen him hit .258, .272, and .244 respectively.

His slash line of .244/.307/.480 saw him at career worsts in both batting average and on-base percentage. It’s also well below his career slash line of .312/.397/.591. His decline began a few years ago and this could be the season where the wheels fall of.

Someone is almost certain to draft this player too early or bid way too much money on him in auction draft formats. Don’t let that player be you. There are far too many other options with a more well rounded game than Albert Pujols.

Next: Spee-Dee