Ranking the Top 10 Players by Position: First Baseman
#1 - Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - Toronto Blue Jays
After a “down year” in 2023 where Guererro hit 26 homers with a .788 OPS, Guerrero made sure people didn’t forget how good of a hitter he is. In 2024, Guerrero hit 30 home runs and had an incredible slash line of .323/.396/.544 for an OPS of .940. Guerrero is destined for another great year, being his contract year as he will hit free agency after 2025.
#2 - Freddie Freeman - Los Angeles Dodgers
Freddie Freeman just keeps doing what he does best. Although this was a down year for Freeman, he is still my 2nd best first baseman because of how good he has been in the past, and how incredible his 2024 postseason was. Freeman slashed .282/.378/.476 for an OPS of .854, which is lower than usual as he had OPS’s over .900 the last 2 seasons. What Freeman did in the 2024 postseason was remarkable, as he slugged an even 1.000 and had a 1.364 OPS in the World Series.
#3 - Bryce Harper - Philadelphia Phillies
Bryce Harper just continues to mash since switching to first base. Harper slugged 30 home runs, 42 doubles and had an OPS of .898. Harper’s defense also improved, and will continue to get better with time.
#4 - Matt Olson - Atlanta Braves
Olson definitely had a down year in 2024, but its hard not too when he hit 54 home runs in 2023. He was still very productive, slashing .247/.333/.457 for a .790 OPS and a 118 OPS+. Olson still slugged 66 XBH this year while playing Gold Glove caliber defense, so I wouldn't be surprised if he enters the top 3 after a bounce back offensive year in 2025.
#5 - Pete Alonso - Free Agent (formerly New York Mets)
Many people think that Pete Alonso had a bad year, maybe its because he played in New York, but I wouldn’t agree with them. Alonso still hit 65 XBH’s, 34 of them being home runs, and finished 2024 with a .788 OPS. I think Alonso will have a bounce back year no matter where he ends up, and his defense is overlooked by a lot of people, but he is in the top 5 of scooping metrics, saving a lot of throwing errors from his infielders. I would expect him to get back to hitting 40+ home runs a year in the near future.
#6 - Christian Walker - Houston Astros
I believe that the Astros signing Walker will turn out to be a great contract. Since 2022, Walker has been one of the most consistent first baseman in the MLB, on both sides of the ball. from 2022-2024, Walker has collected around 30 home runs, an OPS above .800, and Gold Glove defense as he has won the award in 3 straight seasons. Going from Arizona to Houston, I believe Walker will increase the power numbers slightly, making him that much more valuable.
#7 - Josh Naylor - Cleveland Guardians
Naylor has been a very good hitter since the start of 2023. Naylor’s offensive putout has remained very good, but in different ways. In 2023, Naylor hit for a high average with less power (.308 BA, 17 HR), and in 2024 he hit with much more power and a lower average (.243 BA, 31 HR). Naylor has shown the ability to be a contact and power hitter, now we need to see them at the same time. Naylor will be a free agent after 2025, so I expect a great season from him.
#8 - Yandy Diaz - Tampa Bay Rays
This was Yandy’s worst year since 2022, but it doesn’t make me worried. Yandy finished 2024 with a .755 OPS and was down in every offensive category from is MVP caliber season in 2023, where he finished 4th in the AL MVP race. 2024 was a weird year for the Rays, it was the first year in a while that they weren’t contending for the playoffs, and they traded away key players like Randy Arozarana and Isaac Parades. I have no doubt that Yandy will bounce back in 2025.
#9 - Tristan Casas - Boston Red Sox
Casas has the ability to rise up this list very fast, as I believe he has incredible upside. Casas was hurt for a lot of the 2024 season, but still had good numbers when he did play. In only 63 games in 2024, Casas slashed .241/.337/.462 for an even .800 OPS and hit 13 home runs in that span. I believe that we can expect 30 home runs and an OPS around .850 in a full healthy year from Casas.
#10 - Luke Raley - Seattle Mariners
Raley had a sneaky good 2024 for the Mariners. Many people overlooked Raley because of the terrible offensive year that Seattle had, but Raley was not the reason for that. Raley slashed .243/.320/.463 for a .783 OPS. Raley slugged 41 XBH, which I think he will improve on, along with good defense at the first base position. If the Mariners offense bounces back in 2024, expect a great year from Raley.
Next position - Second Baseman!
