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The first base is a pretty stacked position in the MLB. There are more than a few future Hall of Famers currently occupying the position, and there are others who could be on their way to that status. Heading into 2025, here's who the best of the best at first are.
Best first basemen in MLB 2025
10) Pete Alonso
Pete Alonso didn't have the best year entering free agency, and he's still available. However, that means a team will eventually add a top-10 first baseman to their roster. He recorded 2.1 fWAR last season despite the struggles.
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9) Josh Naylor
Josh Naylor is now with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He just had 2.3 fWAR in what ended up being his final year with the Cleveland Guardians. That was 10th-most among all players who played at first base last year.
8) Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana is well past his prime, but good defense and a keen eye at the plate make him valuable. He had 3.0 fWAR last year, fifth-most among all first basemen.
7) Vinnie Pasquantino
Vinnie Pasquantino had 1.5 fWAR, the 15th-most among all first basemen in 2024. However, the Kansas City Royals star did that while missing over 30 games due to an arm injury.
6) Nathaniel Lowe
Nathaniel Lowe was traded to the Washington Nationals, and they got a really good first baseman. Last year with the Texas Rangers, Lowe recorded the seventh-most fWAR and hit .265 for the season.
5) Matt Olson
Matt Olson had a disappointing season. One year after 54 home runs, he struggled a lot. The Atlanta Braves star still recorded 2.6 fWAR despite the bad season, and he's likely to bounce back in a big way.
4) Christian Walker
Christian Walker was one of the biggest free agents available. The new Houston Astros first baseman had 3.0 fWAR in 2024 and 3.4 in 2023, so he's a reliable player at a position the Astros desperately needed to upgrade.
3) Freddie Freeman
Freddie Freeman had a terrific season and an even better World Series. He is coming off major ankle surgery but after 4.0 fWAR and a .282 batting average, there's no reason to think he won't once again be one of the best at his spot.
2) Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper moved to first base for the first time and performed well. His offense was still quite good, but he was not terrible on defense, either. He had five defensive runs saved and a -4.3 defensive rating, which means he was pretty average despite being new to the position.
1) Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
With 5.5 fWAR, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was one of the best players in baseball and he led all first basemen. He also had a sterling 165 wRC+, firmly in the top 10 of all hitters last season.
