Preseason Ranks; Top-10 First Basemen headed into 2023

Over the years a team’s first baseman has become one of the most undervalued positions on the diamond. Seen as a place where a club can put their worst defensive players and cross their fingers, or a spot where you plug in your big boppers. The days when the likes of Pete Rose, Lou Gehrig, Willie McCovey, and Frank Thomas dominated the award polls, and stat columns are over. But that’s not to discount any of the talent the league has today at the bag. continuing my top-10 preseason position rankings, ill be counting down the top-10 first basemen in the game.

10. Arizona Diamondbacks, Christian Walker: 583 AB, 141 H, 36 HR, 94 RBI, .242 BA, .804 OPS, 5.1 WAR

Many would call Walker a newcomer to the top ranks of first basemen in our league, but the fact of the matter is that the potential has been there from the start. When Walker really broke onto the scene back in 2019 he showed flashes of big-bat potential with 29 homers and a .476 SLG. But after two subpar seasons in 2020-21 respectfully, the former SC Gamecock had what looks to be the best season of his career to this point, blasting 36 home runs, with 94 RBIs, and a .477 SLG. Walker became one of the best hitters on an otherwise below-average Dbacks squad, leading the team in Hits, Home Runs, RBIs, OPS, and OPS+. The Norristown PA. native signed a 1-year $6.5 million dollar deal with Arizona this offseason in hopes to get his big payday come 2024.

9. Philadelphia Phillies, Rhys Hoskins: 589 AB, 145 H, 30 HR, 79 RBI, .246 BA, .794 OPS, 2.9 WAR

Rhys Hoskins has been one of the most polarizing and controversial players in Baseball since making his debut during the 2017 season. With a batting average nearly always floating around the .245 mark and home run numbers that struggle to eclipse 30, many have questioned as to if Hoskins would ever reach the MVP form we all hoped for. While we may still never get to see Hoskins hit 40+ homers with +.270 BA he showed this season the type of player he can be. Despite nearing the bottom of the league in terms of defensive value, Hoskins provided some of the most crucial hits for a Phillies squad fighting for the World Series, along with possibly finding his place towards the bottom of the Phils lineup. After reaching a pre-arbitration agreement with the Phillies it seems as though Hoskins will look for one more big season before hopefully stepping into a big contract come 2024.

8. Texas Rangers, Nathaniel Lowe: 593 AB, 179 H, 27 HR, 76 RBI, .302 BA, .851 OPS, 3.3 WAR

2022 was the year that Nathaniel Lowe proved that he is a top first baseman in Baseball, with a monstrous .851 OPS and .302 BA Lowe became one of the Rangers best offensive weapons. Though Lowe isn´t held in the same regard as the other big-time hitters in the game today, he did begin to demand some recognition in 2022 as he was awarded the AL Silver Slugger at first base, ranking among the best in the league in GP, H, HR, SO, AVG, OBP, SLG, and OPS. Lowe has shown shades of a young Freddie Freeman with the ability to hit to all fields for contact and power along with defensive and base running intangibles. However, at 27 the chances of Lowe becoming an all-world first baseman are low, yet never zero.

7. Seattle Mariners, Ty France: 551 AB, 151 H, 20 HR, 83 RBI, .273 BA, .774 OPS, 3.1 WAR

Yet another newcomer to the list is the Seattle Mariners Ty France. France, 28, has quickly become one of the league’s best first basemen, the 2022 All-Star batted .273 with a .774 OPS in 140 games for the M´s. Despite falling off after a midseason Elbow Strain batting just .196 through the majority of July and August the San Diego State product got back to his usual ways by season’s end posting a .278 AVG in his last 33 games. With the Mariners playoff aspirations being sky-high headed into 2023, France will have yet another prime opportunity to prove why he is one of the best first basemen in the game.

6. Chicago White Sox, Jose Abreu: 601 AB, 183 H, 15 HR, 75 RBI, .304 BA, .824 OPS, 4.2 WAR

Though he may be getting up there in age Jose Abreu is still one of the top first basemen in Baseball, and it´s not even close. Abreu, 35, signed a 3-year $58 Million dollar contract with the Houston Astros this offseason, ending a 9-year tenure with the Chi Sox. His .304 AVG, with a .824 OPS, were good enough for best on the team amongst eligible players. And even at 35, Abreu continued to be a huge offensive presence on the Southside despite a dip in his power numbers. In a season where many around the White Sox clubhouse underperformed Abreu looks to be ring-chasing as his career nears its end. In an Astros lineup that is stacked with big-time hitters left and right, it will be intriguing to see what Dusty Baker decides to do with the 3-time All-Star.

5. Atlanta Braves, Matt Olson: 616 AB, 148 H, 34 HR, 103 RBI, .240 BA, .802 OPS, 3.3 WAR

Matt Olson’s first season in Atlanta proved to be a fruitful one, following the controversial departure of Freddie Freeman during the previous offseason Braves fans were left miffed at the acquisition of the former Athletics first baseman. However, in his first season in the Chop House, Olson batted .240 with a .802 OPS and 2.8 oWAR. While he hadn’t gotten on base as much as the braves would have hoped, when he did it was for extra bases. The Atlanta first baseman was top-5 in doubles and top-10 in the league in SLG. heading into the 2023 campaign Olson will look to mimic his 2022 output as the Braves attempt to make a run at their 2nd world series in only three seasons.

4. New York Mets, Pete Alonso: 597 AB, 162 H, 40 HR, 131 RBI, .271 BA, .869 OPS, 4.4 WAR

2022 was quite possibly the best season of Mets’ first basemen Pete Alonso’s young career. While The Polar Bear batted .271 with a .869 OPS and a 4.6 oWAR he also struck an impressive 40 big ones into the seats at Citi Field helping the Mets to 101 wins and second place in the NL East. However, perhaps the biggest achievement for Alonso during the ‘22 season was his franchise record and league-leading 131 RBIs making him the single most effective run producer at his position. The Mets first basemen did however struggle on the defensive side of the ball accounting for a -1.1 dWAR and a -7 Rtot. Despite the struggles, Alonso was still able to account for a 4.4 WAR by season’s end. 2023 now looks to be a make-or-break season for Pete as his contract expires at year’s end.

3. Toronto Blue Jays, Vladimir Guerrero Jr: 638 AB, 175 H, 32 HR, 97 RBI, .274 BA, .818 OPS, 3.9 WAR

Last season Vladimir Guerrero Jr proved to us all that he can still be a top first baseman in the league without 40+ homers and an ungodly SLG. in 2022 Guerrero batted .274 and came in 2nd on the Jays in doubles, hits, and runs behind only Bo Bichette. Guerrero’s 2022 season, while lackluster when compared to some of his previous showed us yet again why VG2 is one of the best hitters in our game today. And After signing a $14.4 Million dollar pre-arbitration bid with the Jays this offseason, Guerrero will look to earn a nice payday when next offseason comes around.

2. St. Louis Cardinals, Paul Goldschmidt: 561 AB, 178 H, 35 HR, 115 RBI, .317 BA, .981 OPS, 7.8 WAR

The 2022 NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt claims the second spot on this list as he led the Cardinals all the way to a wildcard berth and NL Central crown last season. 2022 was a masterpiece of a year for Goldschmidt who put together one of the best campaigns we’ve seen from a first baseman in years, racking up league-leading numbers in multiple categories such as SLG, OPS, and OPS+ all the while having one of the steadiest gloves in the game at his position. Goldy gave us quite the surprise in 2022 as he came out of nowhere to produce some of the best numbers in Baseball after an average prior few years in Baseball heaven. While it remains a mystery what Paul Goldschmidt we will see in 2023, as of right there is no question as to where the 7-time All-Star now resides.

1, Los Angeles Dodgers, Freddie Freeman: 612 AB, 199 H, 21 HR, 100 RBI, .325 BA, .918 OPS, 5.9 WAR

Despite his forbear’s accomplishments It didn’t feel right to have Freddie Freeman at anywhere but number one on this list. In his first season since an ugly divorce with the Atlanta Braves, Freeman kept up with his dominant ways pounding 21 homers and 199 base hits, all the while boasting a .918 OPS ranking just second in the NL to the aforementioned Paul Goldschmidt. Freeman’s dominance has become a factor that Baseball fans have grown all too used to, despite not getting all the accolades Freddie Freeman still showed us that he without a doubt is the best First baseman in Baseball headed into 2023.