WhoHas Been The Two Best Rookie First Baseman Since 1946 ?

Most underrated since 1946, probably Kent Hrbek. Finished second in 1982 Rookie of the Year voting despite batting .301 with 23 HR and 92RBIs, largely because the Twins lost 100 games and the winner's team won the pennant.

Jim Kaat has been in MLB as a player (including 16 gold gloves) coach and broadcaster since 1959, and has stated Hrbek is the best fielding first baseman he's ever seen - and he was a teammate of Vic Power, often cited as a great fielder, and saw Mattingly every day as a Yankee broadcaster. Tom Kelly has also said that about Hrbek's fielding. Yet he never won a gold glove, because he didn't play in NYC or LA.

Plus his "average" 162 game season was .282 with 27 HR and 101 RBI, so he could handle a bat too, and hit clean-up for two Twins World Series winners.

Taking a look at the top first basemen since that time not yet in the Hall of Fame-albert Pujols is tops, but he's not underrated and he will end up there. Bagwell should get in eventually if the writers ever decide in his favor on the PED issues. Thome is a consensus Hall of Famer. Palmeiro has PED issues as does McGwire. So I come down to Todd Helton and Keith Hernandez for underrated. Helton gets a lot of respect, except for the Coors Field thing. So ultimately I will pick Hernandez as being most overlooked. I still find it hard to believe he barely cracked 10% as high before he fell of the HOF ballot. So I'll pick Mex for the underrated honor.

Probably Alvin Davis (1984) and Mark McGwire (1987). Davis beats Eddie Murray because he hit for just as high an average and for just as much power, but got on base much more often. Jeff Bagwell is fairly similar as well.

The most "underrated" first baseman since 1946 with no chance to make the HOF is probably Will Clark or John Olerud - slick-fielding first baseman in careers of moderate length who hit for a good average and got on base, but had only moderate power. Jeff Bagwell is pretty underrated, as well.

Eddie Murray (1977 AL ROY) and Mark McGwire (1987 AL ROY).

Albert Pujols played 3B more than any other position in 2001.