Today we’re looking at the top first basemen in the MLB, a position I was surprised to find out is not as deep as I thought. There are still some really big names here, but not quite as many currently dominating like I assumed.
We’ll start with the Honorable Mentions, first with Albert Pujols, purely out of respect for The Machine in his final year, back where he belongs in St. Louis. Next up is Max Muncy, who will most likely not be playing a ton of first base this year thanks to the Dodgers signing Freddie Freeman, but his body of work thus far warrants mention. Josh Bell lands here, a very solid first baseman for a while, looking to follow up a strong 2021 in Washington. Finally, Rhys Hoskins. I really wanted to put him on the list, but I had to put my bias aside here. I think Hoskins is underrated, and expect a big season with that lineup around him now.
With those out of the way, let’s get started:
10) Joey Votto: I really thought the 38 year old former Coastal Carolina commit was just about done, but last year really proved me wrong. Some numbers still trended in the wrong way, like a lower average, more K’s and less walks than the future HOFer, but as long as he’s out there, it’s clear he still has gas in the tank. Does he replicate that success? I don’t want to say one way or the other, because the potential to look like an idiot is high, but we’ll leave him here for now.
9) Anthony Rizzo: Rizzo had some success in his new home, enough to warrant a nice extension with the Yankees after the lockout ended. He’s not the superstar he once was, but at 32 can still go for 20+ doubles and bombs, play stellar defense, and stands to benefit from a full season playing in Yankee Stadium with the short porch.
8) Jared Walsh: One of my “keep your eye out for this guy” picks. The Angels are so weird, having two of the greatest players in history on their team right now, and absolutely nothing to show for it. With Ohtani stealing the spotlight just about every day, Walsh’s successful season went under the radar. He’s still pretty young and coming off his first All Star appearance, and was a bomb shy of 30 doubles/30 home runs, with a very respectable .277 average. He strikes out a lot, but like I said: keep your eyes peeled here.
7) Yuli Gurriel: Guriel debuted in 2016 at 32, but he’s had success as the Astros’ first baseman for a while now. Ripping off an astonishing .319 average last year with 30 doubles and 15 hits, the now 37 year old has not shown many signs of decay. That Astros line up might look a tad different this year, but don’t forget about them.
6) Pete Alonso: The 27 year old slugger has had some trouble living up to his unreal rookie season, but he still has a lot going for him. He still can clear 30 homeruns easily, stays healthy (thank goodness he’s okay after that scary car wreck), and the Mets have some momentum it seems heading into the season with DeGrom and Scherzer ready to lead the rotation. I think we’ll see Alonso land somewhere between his rookie season and last season’s dip, which would be a great season by many standards.
5) Matt Olson: The Braves went from a top class first baseman to an almost top class first baseman. Olson is a few years younger than Freddie, and while his career averages couldn’t hold a candle to his predecessor’s, his power numbers are actually quite favorable. He’s also won multiple Gold Gloves, so you’re getting an extremely well rounded and high value guy here.
4) Paul Goldschmidt: Another legacy guy still doing it after all these years. While he may not quite crack the .300 average mark anymore, he gets damn close, and still goes for over 30 bombs and doubles. He’s also a 100+ RBI guy, multiple Gold Glover, and about as reliable as they come in terms of staying on the field. Goldy hasn’t gone anywhere, and is still among the league’s best.
3) Jose Abreu: He may be a bit older now at 35, but don’t let that fool you: Jose Abreu is still as good as it gets. Still big time in terms of power, another 30/30 homeruns and doubles guy. 100+ RBI seems to be no challenge either. He may strike out a ton, but he’s still a monster, and has stayed healthy his whole career. Another big year is coming here.
2) Freddie Freeman: The defending World Champion first baseman, it really feels like he finally got a lot of the attention he deserved this season. Such a shame to see how the Braves ownership and fans have pushed him out the door, and gave similar money to a lessor player at the position before he even signed. Five time All Star, Gold Glover, coming off 3 straight Silver Sluggers, and still playing as good as he ever has. He’s a keystone player, and puts that Dodgers line up over the top as one of the scariest teams in recent memory.
And 1) Vlad Guerrero JR: For as good as everyone on this list is, Freddie included, I think there’s about to be a WIDE gap at first base here soon. Vlad was on another planet last season, fighting for the Triple Crown, and losing the MVP race to a man who did things we’ll never see on a field again in Ohtani. Still, just listen to these: 161 games played, 123 runs, 188 hits, 29 doubles, 48 home runs, 111 RBI, 86 walks to 110 K’s, .311/.401/.601 and an OPS of 1.002. That is a video game season – and he’s 23 years old. Don’t expect much regression of any kind here.
And that wraps up first base, and my top ten across the bases of the infield. Next will touch on catchers, make out way around the outfield, and finish up on the mound.
Hub World 