Top 10 Right Now: First Base

Inspired by MLB Network's top 10 right now television series, in which analysts (as well as the Shredder) discuss their top 10 players at each position, I'm excited to share my own thoughts. Join me as I reveal my personal top 10 rankings for each position, accompanied by my thoughts on each player and why they've earned their spot.

1. Freddie Freeman

Freddie Freeman has been a model of consistency over the course of his career, and only seems to keep getting better with age. Freeman slashed .331/.410/.567 in 2023, setting career highs in hits (211) and Doubles (59). Freeman has been one of the very best hitters in the league over the past few seasons, and he shows no signs of slowing down. Freeman will look to have another great season in the middle of the loaded Dodgers lineup.

2. Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper put up a terrific 2023 even after coming off a torn UCL and transitioning to playing First Base full time. Harper continued to mash at the plate, slashing .293/.401/.499 while posting a .399 xWOBA. Harper also looked solid defensively at his new position, looking comfortable with solid defensive metrics to back it up. Harper will continue to lead the potent Phillies offense in 2024. 

3. Matt Olson

Matt Olson put together a career 2023 season, playing in all 162 games while slashing .283/.389/.604 while hitting 54 home runs and driving in 139 runs. Olson led the league in home runs, rbi’s, and slugging percentage. Olson’s strong offensive profile, especially coming off the monster season he just had, cements him as a top 3 First Baseman in my rankings.

4. Paul Golschmidt

Goldschmidt has been a model of consistency since joining St. Louis in 2019. In a “down” year by his standards, Goldschmidt was still able to post a 122 wRC+ in 2023. He rarely misses any time, and is a contributor in every facet of the game. Not much needs to be said about Goldy’s bat, as the 2022 NL MVP holds a career 143 OPS+ and has never once had a OPS+ below 115 in a season in his 13 year career. The 4x Gold Glove winner had a strong defensive season in 2023 once again, posting 3 OAA according to statcast. Although he doesn’t have elite sprint speed, Goldschmidt is a smart base runner and is a threat to swipe a bag if you let him, as he was able to steal 30 bases in the past 3 seasons while only getting caught twice in that span. Now 36, Goldschmidt is still playing great all around baseball and slots in as my #4 First Baseman. 

5. Yandy Diaz

Who led all First Basemen with a 164 wRC+ in 2023? Not Freddie Freeman, not Matt Olson, but Yandy Diaz. Although he’s not as much of a power threat as some of his first basemen peers, Diaz ability to rack up hits and get on base is very valuable. Nearly every aspect of Diaz's hitting profile is strong, as he puts the ball in play, draws walks, and hits the ball hard. Already 32 years old, Diaz is not quite the most fleet of foot, and his defensive and base running metrics are poor, but building off a strong 2022 season, he put it all together offensively in 2023 and cemented himself as a top 5 First Baseman heading into 2024 for me. 

6. Pete Alonso

Pete Alonso has been one of the premier power hitters from the second he entered the league in 2019. He hits more home runs than just about anybody, tallying 46 in 2023. Despite his power numbers being strong as ever, Alonso struggled in other areas this past season, posting a career low OBP of just .318. When not hitting mammoth home runs, Alonso can struggle to get on base at times. And while he has been a strong producer every year of his career, he has yet to match the numbers from his historic rookie season. Now entering a contract year, Alonso’s 2024 performance will be huge for him as he is set to enter free agency following the season. His elite power profile is enough to slot him in as my #6 First Baseman.  

7. Christian Walker

Christian Walker built off a career 2022 season by posting an even better 2023 season, winning a second straight gold glove, and helping lead the Diamondbacks to the world series. While Walker doesn’t have the best offensive profile out there, especially compared to some of his 1B peers, he limits strikeouts, draws walks, and hits for power, which has been enough for him to post back to back seasons with an OPS+ around 125. Walker’s defensive abilities, however, are what separates him from other first baseman. As previously mentioned, he has won back to back gold gloves and tallied 11 outs above average in 2023, which easily led all first baseman. Walker’s elite defense and improved hitting make him a very solid player, and lands him at #7 on this list. 

8. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

8 Feels a little low for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. , and it is always possible he repeats his 2021 season in which he slugged 48 home runs and posted a 1.002 OPS, but Vlad Jr. does have some holes in his game and there is a reason I have him this far down. Vlad Jr. does have a pretty strong batted ball profile and great expected stats, but he has not come all that close to matching his 2021 performance in any year before or since. His power numbers have declined in consecutive years, and while his ability to get on base is not bad by any means, his 118 wRC+ ranked just 10th among first baseman in 2023. What is also concerning about Vlad Jr. is his defense, as he posted -13 outs above average in 2023 and was one of the worst defenders in baseball. While Vlad certainly has the ability to prove me wrong and put up crazy numbers again in 2024, his poor defense and underwhelming hitting the past 2 seasons has him ranked my #8 1st baseman. 

9. Nathaniel Lowe

Lowe has been a key part of the Rangers lineup since coming to Texas in 2021, culminating in a World Series Championship in 2023. Lowe is not necessarily elite at any particular thing, but he has been super consistent, posting a OBP of roughly .360 in each of the past 3 seasons while rarely missing a game and playing sound defense. There’s nothing flashy about him, but Lowe’s contributions were key to the World Series run last year and he will look to build on his 3 solid seasons in Texas. 

10. Triston Casas

Overshadowed by some of the great rookies we saw in 2023, Casas quietly put together a very strong rookie season, slashing .263/.367/.490. Casas shows good patience and hits the ball hard, flashing an on base / power combo that will make any team happy. Just 24 years old, Casas has potential to grow as a player and improve on his weaknesses, notably his swing and miss numbers and his defense. While there are certainly young players with worse swing and miss issues than Casas, if he can cut down on his whiff% he has all the tools to become an elite hitter. Casas defense needs to be worked on, and he posted -10 outs above average and was one of the weakest first baseman defensively. He has the athleticism to improve, and it’s important for his career arc that he does so to avoid becoming a full time DH at a young age. All that being said, I am a believer in Casas talent and think he has the chance to improve on this #10 ranking in the near future. 

HM: Rhys Hoskins, Ryan Mountcastle