MLB Position Rankings 2023 for Every Team's Starting First Baseman
Welcome to Bleacher Report's 2023 MLB position rankings series!
With the beginning of a new baseball season right around the corner, we'll be ranking each team's starter at every position in the coming days to provide a full position-by-position preview for the 2023 campaign.
Up next are the first basemen, and the position features some of the game's top offensive performers, led by Pete Alonso (NYM), Freddie Freeman (LAD), Paul Goldschmidt (STL), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) and Matt Olson (ATL).
Players were ranked based on expectations for the 2023 season. Offensive and defensive contributions were both considered, and past track records played a major role in determining each player's outlook.
Included on each slide is also a look at the next man up at first base. This is who would take over as the starter if the current starter were to miss significant time. In some cases, it's a minor leaguer or bench player, and in others, it's a starter moving over from a different position.
Let the debate begin!
Catch up on previous Position Rankings articles: Shortstops, Third basemen
Up Next: Second basemen (3/22), Catchers (3/25)
30. Dominic Smith, Washington Nationals
1 of 30
Next Man Up: Joey Meneses
Dominic Smith was one of the breakout stars of the shortened 2020 season, posting a 168 OPS+ with 32 extra-base hits and 2.0 WAR in 50 games to finish 13th in NL MVP voting.
The 27-year-old has hit just .233/.298/.345 for a 78 OPS+ and minus-1.0 WAR over the past two seasons. The New York Mets non-tendered him at the start of the offseason, and the rebuilding Washington Nationals bought low with a one-year, $2 million deal.
The change of scenery will give him a chance to return to his natural position of first base after being blocked by Pete Alonso and miscast as a corner outfielder with the Mets.
29. Jesús Aguilar, Oakland Athletics
2 of 30
Next Man Up: Seth Brown
Jesús Aguilar is just a season removed from posting a 111 OPS+ with 22 home runs and 93 RBI hitting in the middle of the Miami Marlins lineup.
He hit just .235/.281/.379 for an 86 OPS+ with 16 home runs and 51 RBI last season, and he found limited interest in free agency as a result, eventually signing a one-year, $3 million deal with an Oakland Athletics team that could guarantee him regular playing time.
The 32-year-old has legitimate 30-homer power, and he could end up being a great buy-low flip candidate if he can put a disappointing 2022 campaign behind him.
28. Spencer Torkelson, Detroit Tigers
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Next Man Up: Tyler Nevin
Spencer Torkelson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft and moved quickly through the minors, starting the 2022 season as the No. 5 prospect in baseball while breaking camp with the starting first base job.
However, he hit just .197/.282/.296 in 298 plate appearances during the first half of the season, and he was optioned to Triple-A at the All-Star break.
The 23-year-old returned to the majors as a September call-up and tallied nine extra-base hits in 106 plate appearances over the final month of the season, but he has a lot to prove heading into 2023.
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27. Alex Kirilloff, Minnesota Twins
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Next Man Up: Jose Miranda
Alex Kirilloff has played just 104 games in the majors since going No. 15 overall in the 2016 draft, dealing with a wide variety of injuries along the way.
The 25-year-old showed an elite hit tool during his time in the minors, but he has yet to get an opportunity to prove himself over an extended period of time in the big leagues. With Miguel Sanó gone and Jose Miranda shifting to third base, he will start the 2023 season as Minnesota's everyday first baseman, with a chance to be a breakout performer.
If Kirilloff misses time again, the most likely infield alignment would be to move Miranda back across the diamond from third base to first base, with Kyle Farmer shifting into the starting lineup at the hot corner.
26. LaMonte Wade Jr., San Francisco Giants
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Next Man Up: Wilmer Flores
LaMonte Wade Jr. was a revelation during the 2021 season, posting a 117 OPS+ with 17 doubles, 18 home runs and 56 RBI in 381 plate appearances while hitting .377 with runners in scoring position.
The 29-year-old failed to duplicate that success last year, batting .207/.305/.359 for an 88 OPS+ with 16 extra-base hits in 251 plate appearances while missing significant time with a nagging knee injury.
The departure of Brandon Belt in free agency gives him a clear path to the starting first base job, but if he struggles again early, he could quickly lose playing time to Wilmer Flores and J.D. Davis.
25. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
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Next Man Up: Tyler Stephenson
Joey Votto will likely start the year as a designated hitter as he continues to work his way back from offseason shoulder surgery, but once he's fully recovered, he'll once again call first base home.
In the meantime, free-agent signing Wil Myers could get the majority of the reps at first base, though catcher Tyler Stephenson could also see regular work there in an effort to help keep him healthy.
Votto, 39, is in the final guaranteed season of his 10-year, $225 million deal, and he hit just .205 with an 87 OPS+ and minus-0.3 WAR in 91 games last season.
24. Eric Hosmer, Chicago Cubs
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Next Man Up: Matt Mervis
Despite trading Eric Hosmer to the Boston Red Sox at the deadline last year, the San Diego Padres are still on the hook for roughly $36.8 million over the next three seasons, which means the deal he signed with the Chicago Cubs this winter is for the league minimum.
That made adding the veteran to the lineup a no-risk move for the Cubs, but it also means they could quickly cut ties if he struggles early, especially with top prospect Matt Mervis knocking on the door after a stellar 2022 season in the minors.
Hosmer, 33, posted a 108 OPS+ with 19 doubles, eight home runs and 44 RBI in 419 plate appearances last season, and he can still provide a quality veteran presence at a low price for a retooling Cubs team.
23. Garrett Cooper, Miami Marlins
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Next Man Up: Yuli Gurriel
Garrett Cooper hit .283/.349/.435 with 21 doubles, seven home runs and 40 RBI in 81 games during the first half last season to earn a surprise All-Star selection.
However, he batted just .210 with a .681 OPS and two home runs after the break, and a variety of injuries limited him to only 38 games during the second half.
With Jesús Aguilar and Lewin Díaz both gone, he is now the everyday guy at first base, and after an offseason of rest and recovery, he is more than capable of returning to the level of production he showed during the first half of last year.
22. Ji-Man Choi, Pittsburgh Pirates
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Next Man Up: Carlos Santana
With the Tampa Bay Rays perpetually in cost-cutting mode, Ji-Man Choi was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates at the start of the offseason as a means of offloading his modest $4.65 million salary.
The 31-year-old has a 116 OPS+ over the past four seasons in Tampa Bay, averaging 31 doubles, 20 home runs and 78 RBI per 162 games. With modest power and strong on-base skills, he could be a steal at his price tag.
The Pirates also signed veteran Carlos Santana, and he'll likely see occasional starts at first base as well while serving as the team's primary designated hitter.
21. Triston Casas, Boston Red Sox
10 of 30
Next Man Up: Bobby Dalbec
Triston Casas turned heads during the 2021 season when he hit well in the upper levels of the minors and starred for Team USA in the Olympics, but the Boston Red Sox opted against giving him a late-season promotion.
He returned to Triple-A last year, and after hitting .273/.382/.481 with 32 extra-base hits in 72 games, he finally made his MLB debut on Sept. 4.
The 23-year-old batted just .197 in 95 plate appearances, but thanks to a 20 percent walk rate and five home runs in that small sample size, he still posted a 113 OPS+. The Red Sox's decision to cut ties with Eric Hosmer early in the offseason made it clear the first base job belongs to Casas in 2023.
20. Jared Walsh, Los Angeles Angels
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Next Man Up: Brandon Drury
The emergence of Jared Walsh during the 2021 season played a major role in the Los Angeles Angels finally cutting ties with Albert Pujols, and Walsh went on to post a 127 OPS+ with 34 doubles, 29 home runs and 98 RBI while earning a spot on the AL All-Star team.
Unfortunately, that level of production was nowhere to be found last year when he hit .215/.269/.374 for an 81 OPS+ with 18 doubles, 15 home runs and 44 RBI in 118 games.
His downturn can be attributed to thoracic outlet syndrome, which eventually required surgery in early September. He has a clean bill of health now and will be looking to rebound, but expect him to sit against most lefties, with Brandon Drury handling first base with a southpaw on the mound.
19. C.J. Cron, Colorado Rockies
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Next Man Up: Michael Toglia
This might seem low for a player who was a first-time All-Star in 2022 and finished the year with a 107 OPS+ while tallying 29 home runs, 102 RBI and 2.1 WAR, but a closer look at the numbers reveals a troubling trend.
C.J. Cron hit .298/.350/.552 with 21 home runs during the first half last season, but he disappeared after the break, batting a paltry .197/.263/.341 with just eight long balls in 251 plate appearances.
Ideally, he would return to his first-half form long enough for the Colorado Rockies to flip him in the final year of his contract, at which point 2019 first-round pick Michael Toglia could get a long look at first base.
18. Ryan Mountcastle, Baltimore Orioles
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Next Man Up: Anthony Santander
Ryan Mountcastle crushed 33 home runs as a rookie in 2021. He followed that up with a 105 OPS+ and 22 long balls last season, so there is no question he has power.
It's a lack of on-base ability that keeps him from ranking any higher on this list.
The 26-year-old has a .307 on-base percentage and a 7.0 percent walk rate over the last two seasons, and for a player whose only value comes from what he does in the batter's box, that doesn't cut it.
As a result, he was just a 1.3 WAR player last season, and he'll need to show the ability to work a walk to climb any higher.
17. Josh Naylor, Cleveland Guardians
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Next Man Up: Josh Bell
How is Josh Naylor still only 25 years old?
The 2015 first-round pick was a top prospect for the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres before finally finding a home with the Cleveland Guardians as part of the Mike Clevinger blockbuster trade.
He played in a career-high 122 games last season and hit .256/.319/.452 for a 121 OPS+ with 28 doubles, 20 home runs and 79 RBI, and he was tasked with protecting José Ramírez out of the cleanup spot in the lineup for much of the year.
The addition of Josh Bell in free agency gives the team another option at first base, but he is expected to see the bulk of his playing time at designated hitter.
16. Andrew Vaughn, Chicago White Sox
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Next Man Up: Gavin Sheets
Andrew Vaughn has spent the past two seasons miscast as an outfielder trying to learn a new position on the fly, but with the departure of José Abreu in free agency, he can now return to his natural spot at first base.
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 draft, Vaughn hit .271/.321/.429 for a 111 OPS+ with 28 doubles, 17 home runs and 76 RBI last year, and those numbers could climb significantly now that he can focus his full attention on hitting.
The young core of Luis Robert Jr., Eloy Jiménez and Vaughn has a chance to be a major strength for the Chicago White Sox this year if all three guys can stay healthy.
15. Rowdy Tellez, Milwaukee Brewers
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Next Man Up: Luke Voit
Rowdy Tellez was an everyday player for the first time in his career in 2022, and he responded by posting a 115 OPS+ with 35 home runs and 89 RBI out of the No. 3 spot in the Milwaukee lineup.
The 28-year-old hit just .219 with a .306 on-base percentage, so his value is reliant on his power production. But his batted-ball metrics suggest that last year's power numbers are well within reach once again.
The Brewers have a big decision to make between minor league free-agent signing Luke Voit and former top prospect Keston Hiura for a spot on the bench and as a right-handed option at first base.
14. Vinnie Pasquantino, Kansas City Royals
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Next Man Up: Nick Pratto
Vinnie Pasquantino hit .300/.394/.563 with 37 doubles, 24 home runs and 84 RBI in 116 games between High-A and Double-A during the 2021 season to put himself on the top prospect radar.
The 25-year-old hit .295/.383/.450 for a 135 OPS+ with 10 doubles, 10 home runs and 26 RBI in 72 games last year after making his MLB debut on June 28, and he showed an advanced approach at the plate with more walks (35) than strikeouts (34).
He could be one of the breakout stars of 2023 if he picks up where he left off and hits at the level he showed last year over a full season's worth of games.
13. Yandy Díaz, Tampa Bay Rays
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Next Man Up: Harold Ramírez
One of the most underrated players in baseball last season, Yandy Díaz posted a 143 OPS+ in 558 plate appearances while logging 3.4 WAR to rank third on the Tampa Bay Rays roster behind pitchers Shane McClanahan (4.0) and Jeffrey Springs (3.7).
With Ji-Man Choi traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Díaz is expected to play primarily first base this year after splitting his time between the two corner infield spots last year, and he signed a three-year, $24 million extension in January.
The 31-year-old had a .401 on-base percentage with more walks (78) than strikeouts (60) last season, and while he doesn't have traditional first baseman power, he provides plenty of offensive value.
12. Jake Cronenworth, San Diego Padres
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Next Man Up: Matt Carpenter
The addition of shortstop Xander Bogaerts in free agency means Ha-Seong Kim will shift to second base and Jake Cronenworth will slide over to first base for a San Diego Padres infield that might be the best in baseball.
Cronenworth, 29, was a 4.0-plus WAR player for the second year in a row last season, posting a 111 OPS+ with 51 extra-base hits while playing quality defense at first base, second base and shortstop.
His offensive value drops a bit with the move from second base to first base, but with his on-base ability, run production skills and versatility, he still has the upside to be a top-10 player at his new position.
11. Rhys Hoskins, Philadelphia Phillies
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Next Man Up: Darick Hall
Rhys Hoskins burst onto the scene in 2017, crushing 18 home runs in 50 games to finish fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting, and he followed that up with a 34-homer, 96-RBI performance during his first full season in the majors.
The 30-year-old has been a consistent presence in the Philadelphia Phillies' lineup while they have climbed from irrelevant to World Series contenders, and he posted a 122 OPS+ with 33 doubles, 30 home runs and 79 RBI with a career-high 2.9 WAR last year.
Free agency awaits for the first time in his career next offseason, and he could be one of the top bats on the market if he puts together a similar season to what he did a year ago.
10. Anthony Rizzo, New York Yankees
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Next Man Up: DJ LeMahieu
Anthony Rizzo logged the fifth 30-homer season of his career last year, posting a 131 OPS+ with 32 home runs and 75 RBI in 130 games with the Cubs and New York Yankees, and he was one of the few consistent performers in the Yankees lineup outside of Aaron Judge.
The 33-year-old re-upped with the Yankees on a two-year, $34 million deal during the offseason that includes a $17 million club option and $6 million buyout in 2025, and he will again be counted on as a secondary power source behind Judge.
The four-time Gold Glove winner also provides significant value with his glove, which is something that can't be said about many of the players on this list.
9. Ty France, Seattle Mariners
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Next Man Up: Evan White
A late bloomer who didn't become an everyday player in the majors until his age-26 season in 2021, Ty France has quietly emerged as one of the most productive first basemen in the league.
He hit .274/.338/.436 for a 125 OPS+ with 27 doubles, 20 home runs and 83 RBI in a 3.1 WAR season last year, earning the first All-Star selection of his career while helping the Seattle Mariners snap a postseason drought that stretched back to 2001.
His 7.4 WAR since the start of the 2021 season ranks sixth among all first basemen, and he could be an extension candidate in the near future with free agency just a few years away after the 2025 campaign.
8. Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks
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Next Man Up: Pavin Smith
Christian Walker looked like a non-tender candidate heading into the 2021-22 offseason. But the Arizona Diamondbacks brought him back for another year, and he rewarded them with a breakout season.
The 31-year-old posted a 126 OPS+ with 36 home runs and 94 RBI in 160 games, and he won Gold Glove honors with stellar defensive metrics (17 DRS, 5.2 UZR/150) on his way to a 5.1 WAR season.
Another 30-homer season and more quality defense would be enough to make him a top-10 player at the position once again.
7. Nathaniel Lowe, Texas Rangers
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Next Man Up: Brad Miller
Quick, who won AL Silver Slugger honors at first base last year?
It wasn't an established star like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., José Abreu or Anthony Rizzo but instead one of the hottest hitters in baseball during the second half in Texas Rangers rising star Nathaniel Lowe.
The 27-year-old hit .339/.399/.566 with 15 home runs in 72 games after the All-Star break, solidifying his place as a long-term piece alongside Marcus Semien, Corey Seager and Adolis García in the Texas lineup.
He finished the season hitting .302/.358/.492 with 26 doubles, 27 home runs and 76 RBI with 3.3 WAR in 157 games.
6. José Abreu, Houston Astros
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Next Man Up: David Hensley
How much does José Abreu have left in the tank?
The 36-year-old saw a significant downturn in his power production last year with just 15 home runs, but he hit .304/.378/.446 for a 133 OPS+ with 40 doubles and 4.2 WAR in 157 games.
Strong marks in hard-hit rate (97th percentile) and average exit velocity (93rd percentile) suggest his power could rebound, and now he'll be part of a stacked Houston Astros lineup after signing a three-year, $58.5 million deal during the offseason.
He could be one of the most impactful additions of the offseason.
5. Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves
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Next Man Up: Travis d'Arnaud
The Atlanta Braves moved quickly once it became clear they were not going to come to terms with Freddie Freeman last offseason, swinging a blockbuster deal to acquire Matt Olson from the Oakland Athletics and then quickly signing him to an eight-year, $168 million extension.
The 28-year-old wasted no time getting acclimated to life with his new team, posting a 122 OPS+ with 44 doubles, 34 home runs and 103 RBI in a 3.4 WAR season while playing in all 162 games.
Given Olson's durability, the Braves do not have a clear replacement if he were to miss significant time. They could shift Austin Riley to first base and use Orlando Arcia at third base, or they could give catcher Travis d'Arnaud a look at first base as a way to get his bat into the lineup.
4. Pete Alonso, New York Mets
27 of 30
Next Man Up: Mark Vientos
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso has been one of baseball's most consistent middle-of-the-order run producers since exploding onto the scene in 2019 with a rookie record 53 home runs.
His 146 home runs over the past four seasons lead all of baseball, ahead of Aaron Judge (137), Kyle Schwarber (127), Eugenio Suárez (126) and Matt Olson (123), and he's coming off a 40-homer, 131-RBI season in 2022.
Alonso has also come a long way with his approach at the plate, and while he still doesn't walk at an elite clip, he has steadily trimmed his strikeout rate from 26.4 percent as a rookie to a far more manageable 18.7 percent last year.
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
28 of 30
Next Man Up: Brandon Belt
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had an MVP-caliber performance in 2021, hitting .311/.401/.601 with 48 home runs and 111 RBI in a 6.8 WAR season to finish runner-up to Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani in the AL balloting.
His 2022 production was disappointing by comparison but still elite for a player who is roughly the age of most MLB rookies.
The 24-year-old posted a 132 OPS+ with 35 doubles, 32 home runs and 97 RBI, and he won the AL Gold Glove at first base as he has settled in nicely since shifting over from third base in 2020.
He has a higher ceiling than anyone on this list and could easily claim the No. 1 spot by the end of the 2023 season.
2. Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals
29 of 30
Next Man Up: Juan Yepez
After finishing runner-up in NL MVP voting twice during his time with the Arizona Diamondbacks and inside the top 10 in balloting three other times in his career, Paul Goldschmidt finally took home the hardware in 2022.
The 35-year-old hit .317/.404/.578 for an NL-leading 180 OPS+ with 41 doubles, 35 home runs and 115 RBI in a 7.8 WAR season, and those numbers looked even better before he slumped to a .245 average and .716 OPS over the final month of the season.
With two years and $52 million remaining on his contract, Goldschmidt is playing for one last major payday while he works on building out his Hall of Fame resume.
1. Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers
30 of 30
Next Man Up: Max Muncy
It was a toss-up between Paul Goldschmidt and Freddie Freeman for the No. 1 spot in these rankings, but the lackluster final month from Goldschmidt and the fact that he is two years older makes it just a bit easier to project a better 2023 season for Freeman.
The 33-year-old nearly won the NL batting title in the first season of a six-year, $162 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting .325/.407/.511 for a 152 OPS+ with 21 home runs and 100 RBI while leading the NL in hits (199), doubles (47) and runs scored (117) in a 5.9 WAR season.
If Freeman were to miss significant time, the logical move would be to shift Max Muncy back to his natural position while using prospect Miguel Vargas at third base and Chris Taylor at second base.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference.
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