Where does Pedro Alvarez rank in the division’s first basemen?

May 31, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; First base on the field with the Texas Rangers logo during the game against the Kansas City Royals at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Texas won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into his first full season at first base, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Pedro Alvarez now joins a new list of competitors at his position – many of whom, including Anthony Rizzo, Joey Votto and Matt Adams, play in the National League Central.

The power of Alvarez is well-documented at this point. Two years ago, the slugger eclipsed the 100-RBI plateau while also hitting 36 long-balls as Pittsburgh returned to postseason play for the first time in years. However, last season, he took a step backward – as his power numbers waned (18 home runs in just 122 games) – while continuing to struggle to make contact (.231/.312/.405).

Even in his All-Star campaign of 2013, strikeouts and contact, in general, was a major issue for Alvarez, who struck out a league-worst 186 times that season. Last year, he struck out just over 25 percent of the time – an improved mark from the year prior when he whiffed in an alarming 31 percent of plate appearances.

So with this potential – and downside – in mind, where does he rank when put up against the other first basemen in the National League Central?

Sep 13, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman

(26) hits a double against Tampa Bay Rays in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

5) Adam Lind – Milwaukee Brewers

Still searching for a quality answer at first base in the post-Prince Fielder era, the Milwaukee Brewers traded for left-handed-swinging Adam Lind this offseason. The 31-year-old has spent his entire career with the Toronto Blue Jays – so 2015 will be his National League debut.

Last season north of the border, Lind batted .321/.381/.479 – the best numbers of his big league career, while also adding six home runs and 40 RBI in just 96 games. Just a year prior, he clubbed 23 home runs – a respectable mark for the former third-round pick.

His best season came back in 2009, when he launched 35 homers and drove in 115 runs, while also adding 46 doubles for Toronto. He has not replicated that type of success since – but if he can get back into the 20-homer range for the Brew Crew, he could be an answer moving forward.

Aug 25, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez (24) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

4) Pedro Alvarez – Pittsburgh Pirates

While Pirates fans like to focus on his 36-homer, 100 RBI season from two years ago, the truth is that Alvarez has a lot of work to do at the dish.

He’s a career .235 hitter who has shown a tendency to strike out at a troubling rate (as noted in the opening slide). These numbers came while he was playing third base – a position he played exclusively in the Minor Leagues. With a new position to learn, it only adds to the amount of focus he’ll have to have moving forward.

That being said, if Alvarez can cut down on the strikeouts and play a decent first base, he could still have value for Pittsburgh. The Pirates need him to contribute – and another near-200 strikeout season won’t bode well for the former top prospect.

Oct 16, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams (32) throws to first base for the out against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning of game five of the 2014 NLCS playoff at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

3) Matt Adams – St. Louis Cardinals

After the Cardinals let Albert Pujols head west to the Angels, many wondered if St. Louis’ reign at the top of the National League Central was coming to a close.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Matt Adams has proved to be more than adequate at first base and at the plate in recent years. Last season, as St. Louis made the postseason yet again, the left-handed-swinging first baseman saw his power numbers drop a bit, but he still batted .288/.321/.457 and hit 15 homers, while adding a career-high 68 runs batted in.

He’s no Pujols, but he’s proven that he can make consistent contact – which is a rare commodity for a plus-sized corner infielder.

Jun 30, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) reacts after an at bat during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

2) Joey Votto – Cincinnati Reds

For the first time in five years, Votto failed to make the All-Star team in 2014.

Injuries caused issues for the Reds’ face of the franchise, who limped to a .255/.390/.409 mark in just 62 games – but most believe 2014 was an anomaly. The year prior, the slugger played in all 162 games, earning his fourth-straight All-Star nod and finishing sixth in the NL MVP voting. He led the league with 135 walks and a .435 OBP – which has become his staple asset as he’s matured.

He may not be the power threat he once was, but with his health issues supposedly behind him and an on-base-minded approach, Votto is still one of the premier first base talents in all of Major League Baseball.

Sep 28, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) hits a 2-run homer in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

1) Anthony Rizzo – Chicago Cubs

It’s been a long time since the Cubs had a slugger as potent as Anthony Rizzo manning first base.

And the wait has been worth it. Just one season after being benched against left-handers because of his immense struggles, Rizzo actually hit southpaws better in 2014 – while earning his first All-Star selection alongside teammate Starlin Castro.

Rizzo, still just 25, missed some time with injury last year, coming up with 140 games for the lowly Cubs. However, he set a career-high in home runs (32) and narrowly missed tying his career-high in runs batted in, ending the year with 78.

Surrounded by a much improved cast, Rizzo has a legitimate shot at a 35-100 campaign; this would only further separate him from the rest of the pack in the division moving forward.