As our series moves along the diamond to the next position, we now turn to the best of the best at first base.
1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
Guerrero Jr. signed a 14 year, $500 million extension in April 2025 and immediately made it worth every cent for Toronto. He hit 23 home runs and drove in 84 runs in the regular season, then elevated his game in October, slugging eight home runs with 15 RBIs on his way to ALCS MVP honors. Defensively, he grades out around average at first base. He won a Gold Glove in 2022 but has seen his metrics dip slightly since, though he remains a complete player and earns the top spot in these rankings.
2. Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves
Olson won Gold Gloves in each of his first two seasons in 2018 and 2019 and has remained one of the game’s top defensive first basemen ever since, while also producing elite power. The Braves let Freddie Freeman walk and traded for arguably a better long term option. Olson owns three career Gold Gloves, has played all 162 games in four straight seasons, and led MLB in home runs and RBIs in 2023 and doubles in 2025.
3. Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers
Freeman is a future first ballot Hall of Famer who still has plenty left. His résumé speaks for itself, a nine time All Star, MVP, three time World Series champion, three time Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove winner. His defense has declined with age, but he remains a top option for any team.
4. Michael Busch, Chicago Cubs
Busch came up in the Dodgers organization as a second baseman but moved to first after joining the Cubs, and his game has taken a step forward. He hit 34 home runs in 2025, though his at bats were limited at times by matchup decisions against left handed pitching. Defensively, he is not flashy but remains reliable. With more opportunities against lefties, Busch has the upside to reach 40 home runs in 2026.
5. Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
Harper has been one of baseball’s top hitters since debuting at 18, but he spent most of his early career in right field. Injuries pushed the Phillies to move him to first base in 2023, and after two full seasons there, the defensive metrics have been underwhelming, minus 3 defensive runs saved and 1 out above average. Offensively, he remains productive, hitting 27 home runs with 75 RBIs in 2025, though he is not projected to significantly exceed those totals this season.
6. Pete Alonso, Baltimore Orioles
Alonso lands at No. 6 largely because of his defense. He is one of the weaker qualified defenders at first base, but his bat offsets that. He has hit at least 30 home runs in every full season of his career since debuting, excluding the shortened 2020 season. He signed a five year, $155 million deal with Baltimore in December to help push the Orioles back into the postseason.
7. Jonathan Aranda, Tampa Bay Rays
Aranda was one of just two first basemen to hit over .300 in 2025 and ranked sixth at the position in defensive runs saved with seven. After appearing in just 110 games combined from 2022 to 2024, he played 106 games last season, taking a step forward and showing Tampa Bay he can be its first baseman of the future. His 117 hits ranked ninth in the American League, and with more playing time in 2026, he has room to climb this list.
8. Nick Kurtz, A’s
Kurtz just completed his rookie season, unanimously winning AL Rookie of the Year after hitting .290 with 36 home runs and 86 RBIs. With only one year of experience, it is difficult to project his follow up, but his production already places him among the better first basemen in the league. He also earned an AL Silver Slugger. Defensively, the metrics were less impressive, 2 defensive runs saved and minus 6 outs above average, which pushes him down this list. As a rookie, however, there is room for growth with more experience.
9. Josh Naylor, Seattle Mariners
Naylor signed a five year deal with Seattle after a season in which he hit .295 with 20 home runs and 92 RBIs. His bat remains a strength, but his defense limits his overall value and places him below Kurtz, who offers more offensive impact. Naylor has yet to build a lengthy list of accolades, though he was an All Star in 2024.
10. Luis Arráez, San Francisco Giants
Arráez is one of the league’s premier contact hitters, a skill that has become less emphasized in today’s game. He started at second base but moved to first after injuries and a decline in defensive performance. He won three straight batting titles, and even with his average dipping below .300 in 2025, he still hit .292 and led the league with 181 hits.
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