I did catchers a week or so ago, here's a look at the firstbasemen around the NL Central.

Firstbase

Cardinals: Albert Pujols (backup plan – forget about it)

2009 (160 games) –  327/443/658

Career (1399 games) – 334/427/628

Best season 08 (148 games) –  357/462/653

My assessment – Arguably, the best hitter in the majors. Now he has Holliday to protect and McGwire to teach him the “tricks” of the game. Grade: A

Brewers: Prince Fielder (backup plan – Casey McGehee)

2009 (162 games) –  299/412/602

Career (675 games) – 284/381/550

Best season 09 (162 games) –  299/412/602

My assessment – I hate seeing this guy in the batter’s box. Grade: A-

Reds: Joey Votto (backup plan – Adam Rosales)

2009 (131 games) –  322/414/536

Career (306 games) – 310/388/536

Best season 09 (131 games) –  322/414/536

My assessment – Has as bright of a future as any young 1B. Grade: B+

Cubs: Derrick Lee (backup plan – Micah Hoffpauir)

2009 (141 games) –  306/393/579

Career (1681 games) – 284/369/504

Best season 05 (158 games) –  335/418/662

My assessment – D Lee may be falling out of favor in Chicago as he Hoffpauir has his fans. But he can still swing it. Grade: B

Astros: Lance Berkman (backup plan – Geoff Blum)

2009 (136 games) –  274/399/509

Career (1507 games) – 299/412/555

Best season 06 (152 games) – 315/420/621

My assessment – Not the All-Star he once was as age becomes a factor. Grade: C+

Pirates: Jeff Clement (backup plan – Garrett Jones)

2009 (0 games) – no plate appearances

Career (75 games) – 237/309/393

Best season 08 (66 games) – 227/295/360

My assessment – Well, at least Clement is in the same post as the likes of Pujols, Fielder, and company. The Pirate grade here is based on them finding production at 1B (Jones) even if Clement isn’t the answer. Grade: C