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Matt Linder The current group of first basemen is extremely deep with high-end talent; narrowing the list down to ten names was not easy.  Some players in this ranking as looking to pick up right where they left off in 2017, while others are hoping for a rebound season.  Enjoy! Paul Bereswill - Getty Images 1. Joey Votto In a loaded crop of first basemen, Votto gets my top spot.  He led the league in on-base percentage (.454) and all first basemen in both WAR (7.5) and OPS (1.032).  Additionally, Votto improved his defense last season, compiling 11 Defensive Runs Saved, compared to -14 DRS in 2016.  His total package of getting on base, hitting for both power and average and playing strong defense makes him the best first baseman for the 2018 season. Rick Scuteri - AP 2. Paul Goldschmidt Goldschmidt earned a trip to his fifth straight All-Star game in 2017 and there are no signs of a slow down.  He finished seco...

Patrick Zeng @ Roundtripper891 📸: Business Insider                                                                                       The most hyped up Home Run Derby ever did not disappoint last night. Some of MLB's best sluggers put on an absolute show last night, destroying balls into the Miami night. This Derby was everything that Rob Manfred could have hoped for and more so than just an exhibition of some of baseball's brightest stars, it also outlines a stark difference. Baseball's all star festivities are the best of the core 4 leagues(I'd lump in MLS as a fifth for comparison too) and it's not even close. ESPN reported that their Home Run Derby numbers were up 38% and oh man were those numbers warranted. The Derby matchups were close, compelling and real...

By Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 📸: Sports On Earth Wow time flies. We are already past the midway point in the MLB season with the Home Run Derby and the All Star game taking place over the next few days. And that means it's mid season awards time as we look back on an exciting and action packed first half of baseball and as we ramp up for what should be an incredibly compelling end to the season. NL MVP- Paul Goldschmidt It's finally time for Goldy to get his recognition. The five time All Star has his finger prints all over the Diamondbacks 53-35 record, good for second in baseball's most competitive division and for the first NL wildcard. Goldschmidt is hitting .313 with a .430 on base, 20 home runs, 67 RBIs and has even added 13 stolen bases to his stat line. Bryce Harper, Charlie Blackmon and the Dodgers' Cody Bellinger are all decent shouts, but Goldy is a beast and right now he should be on track to take home his first NL MVP. NL CY Young- Max Scher...

By Patrick Zeng @ Roundtripper891 Much has been made about baseball's lack of star appeal. Even with players such as Mike Trout & Bryce Harper, it has been a struggle for baseball's best to gain traction for a national audience. And while this will always be somewhat of the case as baseball lends itself much more to a regional audience than a national one, two new stars may just break down that regional barrier. Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge are lighting the baseball world on fire with their seasons thus far. Stationed in two of the largest media markets in the country, the two are set to make it big. At the end of last season, there seemed to be a hung jury on projecting the outlook of Aaron Judge. The 6'7" outfielder showed flashes of power, but struck out in 50% of his at bats compiling a .179 batting average. But this season has been nothing short of incredible for the towering right fielder. Judge has slugged his way to a major league leading 26 home run...