Ranking Bryce Harper, Pete Alonso, Vlad Jr. and Every MLB Team's First Baseman
For decades, first base has been home to some of the game's most prolific offensive players, and the 2025 season is no exception with Pete Alonso, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bryce Harper, Matt Olson, Freddie Freeman and rookie Nick Kurtz among the top players at the position.
Ahead, we have ranked every MLB team's first baseman for the 2025 season. Players are evaluated solely on their offensive and defensive contributions this year—past accomplishments and future projections are not considered.
Players were also only eligible to be considered for the organization they are currently playing for as the season winds to a close.
How does your favorite team's first baseman stack up against his counterparts across baseball?
Catch up on other positions in this series: Shortstops, Third Basemen
Nos. 30-26
1 of 10
30. Coby Mayo, Baltimore Orioles
Offense: 255 PA, 77 wRC+, .192/.275/.354, 19 XBH (9 HR), 24 RBI
Defense: 489.1 INN, 1 DRS, -1 OAA, 6 scoops
WAR: -0.2
With Ryan O'Hearn traded and Ryan Mountcastle looking like a non-tender candidate, Mayo has taken over as Baltimore's primary first baseman. The early returns have not been pretty, but the former top prospects had an .885 OPS with 42 home runs in 196 games at Triple-A and should get a chance to be the everyday guy in 2026.
29. Warming Bernabel, Colorado Rockies
Offense: 136 PA, 89 wRC+, .264/.301/.434, 13 XBH (4 HR), 14 RBI
Defense: 286.2 INN, 2 DRS, -2 OAA, 3 scoops
WAR: -0.2
Bernabel went 14-for-28 with four doubles and three home runs in his first seven games in the big leagues. but he is hitting just .198/.243/.267 in 107 plate appearances since that red-hot start. He has been sidelined with a concussion since Sept. 8, and journeyman Blaine Crim is manning first base in his absence. Michael Toglia is also still in the organization, but a 39.2 percent strikeout rate landed him back in the minors.
28. Eric Wagaman, Miami Marlins
Offense: 484 PA, 87 wRC+, .248/.298/.383, 39 XBH (9 HR), 50 RBI
Defense: 794.1 INN, -2 DRS, -1 OAA, 6 scoops
WAR: -0.3
Matt Mervis opened the year as the Marlins' first baseman, and Rule 5 pick Liam Hicks has seen sporadic action there when he's not penciled in at catcher or designated hitter. However, Wagaman has been the primary guy, and his 39 extra-base hits are third-most on the Miami roster.
27. Dominic Smith, San Francisco Giants
Offense: 225 PA, 111 wRC+, .284/.333/.417, 17 XBH (5 HR), 33 RBI
Defense: 413.2 INN, -1 DRS, -3 OAA, 9 scoops
WAR: 0.4
Plucked from the scrapheap on June 4 after he was released by the Yankees, Smith has quietly put together a solid season plugging a massive hole at first base for the Giants. A strained hamstring sent him to the injured list on Sept. 13, and the club called up top prospect Bryce Eldridge on Monday, so his days could be numbered in San Francisco.
26. Jake Burger, Texas Rangers
Offense: 352 PA, 97 wRC+, .246/.278/.440, 32 XBH (16 HR), 49 RBI
Defense: 704.2 INN, -1 DRS, -1 OAA, 13 scoops
WAR: 0.3
After a 34-homer season in 2023 and a 29-homer encore last year, Burger was traded to the Rangers as a cheaper alternative to Nathaniel Lowe at first base. He was briefly demoted to the minors in May and missed a significant chunk of July with an oblique strain, but he is hitting .323/.364/.613 with five home runs and 14 RBI in 66 plate appearances since returning from the injured list on Aug. 8.
Nos. 25-21
2 of 10
25. Nathaniel Lowe, Boston Red Sox
Offense: 565 PA, 88 wRC+, .221/.297/.379, 41 XBH (18 HR), 78 RBI
Defense: 1,136.1 INN, -3 DRS, -4 OAA, 13 scoops
WAR: -0.5
Lowe ended up being a disappointing offseason pickup for the Nationals, hitting .216 with an 86 wRC+ and minus-0.8 WAR in 119 games before he was released on Aug. 16. The Red Sox signed him two days later to help fill a season-long void at first base, and he has a 106 wRC+ in 75 plate appearances and has been hitting cleanup.
24. Josh Bell, Washington Nationals
Offense: 500 PA, 103 wRC+, .231/.322/.403, 34 XBH (20 HR), 60 RBI
Defense: 200.0 INN, -2 DRS, -2 OAA, 4 scoops
WAR: -0.1
Primarily as a designated hitter at this point in his career, Bell has seen regular action at first base since Nathaniel Lowe was released. The 33-year-old has reached 20 home runs for the fifth time in his career, and he has an .814 OPS with nine long balls since the All-Star break.
23. Pavin Smith, Arizona Diamondbacks
Offense: 288 PA, 123 wRC+, .258/.362/.434, 26 XBH (8 HR), 28 RBI
Defense: 283.1 INN, -4 DRS, -2 OAA, 6 scoops
WAR: 0.7
Smith has been sidelined since Aug. 27 with a quad strain, but with Josh Naylor traded to Seattle and Tyler Locklear struggling to find his footing in the big leagues, deciding who to include for the D-backs was not easy. Prior to the quad strain, Smith was having another solid season as a platoon option at first base and designated hitter.
22. Spencer Steer, Cincinnati Reds
Offense: 524 PA, 91 wRC+, .237/.308/.396, 39 XBH (17 HR), 64 RBI
Defense: 918.2 INN, 7 DRS, 6 OAA, 8 scoops
WAR: 0.6
Steer has started 103 games at first base this season while also seeing time in left field and at designated hitter, but he is having a down year after serving as one of Cincinnati's primary run producers in 2023 and 2024. A nagging shoulder injury that limited him to DH duties early in the year could be the source of his offensive downturn, though his walk rate has also dipped to a career-low 8.6 percent.
21. Spencer Horwitz, Pittsburgh Pirates
Offense: 375 PA, 106 wRC+, .260/.336/.406, 31 XBH (9 HR), 42 RBI
Defense: 762.2 INN, -1 DRS, 0 OAA, 11 scoops
WAR: 0.9
The Pirates acquired Horwitz from the Blue Jays in the three-team deal that sent Andrés Giménez to Toronto and pitcher Luis Ortiz to Cleveland. He missed the first 45 games of the season recovering from wrist surgery, but he has been the everyday first baseman since returning, and looks like one of the few long-term building blocks in the Pittsburgh lineup.
Nos. 20-16
3 of 10
20. Kody Clemens, Minnesota Twins
Offense: 345 PA, 101 wRC+, .216/.286/.455, 33 XBH (19 HR), 50 RBI
Defense: 344.0 INN, 1 DRS, 2 OAA, 5 scoops
WAR: 1.4
The Twins acquired Clemens from the Phillies in exchange for cash considerations after he was designated for assignment at the end of April, and he has put together a career year in his first extended MLB action. The 29-year-old had never topped 150 plate appearances in a season prior to this year, but he has taken over as the starter at first base after Ty France was sent to Toronto at the deadline.
19. Andrew Vaughn, Milwaukee Brewers
Offense: 411 PA, 96 wRC+, .251/.300/.407, 31 XBH (14 HR), 60 RBI
Defense: 695.0 INN, -2 DRS, 1 OAA, 10 scoops
WAR: 0.3
Over his first 22 games in a Brewers uniform after he was acquired from the White Sox for demoted starter Aaron Civale, Vaughn hit .377/.444/.701 with seven home runs and 28 RBI, helping the Brewers go 18-4 in those games. The former No. 3 overall pick has crashed back to earth since then, settling into a first base platoon with Jake Bauers.
18. Miguel Vargas, Chicago White Sox
Offense: 522 PA, 98 wRC+, .231/.312/.397, 47 XBH (14 HR), 53 RBI
Defense: 455.2 INN, 3 DRS, 1 OAA, 9 scoops
WAR: 1.2
Vargas has actually logged more innings at third base (576.0) than he has at first base (455.2), but he still leads the White Sox with 52 starts at first, and he has played there more frequently since Curtis Mead was acquired. The 25-year-old has shown flashes of his long-term potential and should be a central part of the South Siders' plans for 2026.
17. Christian Walker, Houston Astros
Offense: 603 PA, 97 wRC+, .237/.300/.409, 47 XBH (23 HR), 81 RBI
Defense: 1,237.0 INN, -6 DRS, 3 OAA, 14 scoops
WAR: 0.9
After a glacial start to his time in Houston after signing a three-year, $60 million deal during the offseason, Walker is batting .267/.328/.473 with 13 home runs and 44 RBI in 63 games since the beginning of July. His defensive metrics have taken a step backward after three straight Gold Glove wins with the Diamondbacks.
16. Paul Goldschmidt, New York Yankees
Offense: 499 PA, 105 wRC+, .277/.329/.413, 41 XBH (10 HR), 43 RBI
Defense: 959.0 INN, 0 DRS, -2 OAA, 19 scoops
WAR: 1.0
Signed to a one-year, $12.5 million deal during the offseason to replace Anthony Rizzo, Goldschmidt is no longer the middle-of-the-order power threat he was in his prime, but he has proven he still has something left in the tank. The rise of Ben Rice has allowed the Yankees to use him in more of a platoon role, which should help keep him fresh into October.
.png?w=256)
Nos. 15-11
4 of 10
15. Nolan Schanuel, Los Angeles Angels
Offense: 535 PA, 107 wRC+, .266/.355/.383, 33 XBH (10 HR), 49 RBI
Defense: 1,070.0 INN, -4 DRS, -2 OAA, 17 scoops
WAR: 1.2
The No. 11 overall pick in the 2023 draft, Schanuel already has 301 big league games under his belt thanks to his rapid arrival in the big leagues. The 23-year-old is one of only four qualified hitters with a walk rate over 10 percent (10.5%) and a strikeout rate under 15 percent (12.3%), along with Kyle Tucker, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Geraldo Perdomo.
14. Kyle Manzardo, Cleveland Guardians
Offense: 482 PA, 117 wRC+, .236/.320/.466, 43 XBH (26 HR), 67 RBI
Defense: 404.2 INN, -6 DRS, -2 OAA, 10 scoops
WAR: 1.3
After turning heads as a September call-up last season, Manzardo has been the primary protection for José Ramírez in the middle of the Cleveland lineup this season. The 25-year-old ranks second on the team in wRC+, home runs and RBI, and after spending much of the year in the DH role, he has taken over at first base since Carlos Santana was released.
13. Ryan O'Hearn, San Diego Padres
Offense: 501 PA, 122 wRC+, .270/.359/.429, 36 XBH (16 HR), 54 RBI
Defense: 476.1 INN, 5 DRS, 8 OAA, 3 scoops
WAR: 2.6
A standout in a platoon role for the Orioles in 2023 and 2024, O'Hearn has put together the best season of his career in a contract year, earning his first All-Star selection before he was sent to the Padres as one of the top bats on the summer trade market. The 32-year-old provides valuable versatility with his ability to also play the corner outfield spots.
12. Jonathan Aranda, Tampa Bay Rays
Offense: 409 PA, 142 wRC+, .316/.394/.478, 34 XBH (12 HR), 54 RBI
Defense: 750.2 INN, 6 DRS, 0 OAA, 9 scoops
WAR: 2.2
Aranda has been sidelined since July 31 with a fractured wrist, but he still leads the Rays with 84 starts at first base. Veteran Yandy Díaz, who is playing first base in his absence after serving as the primary DH, would slot into roughly the same spot in these rankings if he were the representative for Tampa Bay.
11. Spencer Torkelson, Detroit Tigers
Offense: 602 PA, 115 wRC+, .237/.332/.452, 55 XBH (28 HR), 72 RBI
Defense: 1,174.2 INN, 3 DRS, -1 OAA, 24 scoops
WAR: 2.1
It was a make-or-break season for Torkelson heading into spring training after a 2024 campaign where he was demoted to the minors, and he answered the challenge, giving the Tigers a middle-of-the-order run producer and a solid glove at first base to boot. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft is still only 26 years old and controllable through the 2028 season.
Nos. 10-6
5 of 10
10. Willson Contreras, St. Louis Cardinals
Offense: 563 PA, 123 wRC+, .257/.344/.447, 52 XBH (20 HR), 80 RBI
Defense: 1,011.2 INN, 0 DRS, 6 OAA, 11 scoops
WAR: 2.7
With Paul Goldschmidt departing in free agency and Contreras entering his age-33 season, the Cardinals opted to shift the longtime catcher to first base in an effort to add longevity to his career midway through a five-year, $87.5 million deal. He is the team leader in home runs and RBI, and he has graded out well defensively at his new position.
9. Josh Naylor, Seattle Mariners
Offense: 565 PA, 120 wRC+, .284/.344/.450, 45 XBH (19 HR), 85 RBI
Defense: 1,003.0 INN, -1 DRS, 0 OAA, 18 scoops
WAR: 2.4
After a 31-homer, 108-RBI season with the Guardians in 2024, Naylor was traded to the D-backs for right-hander Slade Cecconi during the offseason ahead of a contract year. The counting numbers are down, but his overall production is right in line with a year ago, and he has been a great pickup for the Mariners.
8. Vinnie Pasquantino, Kansas City Royals
Offense: 627 PA, 115 wRC+, .265/.324/.474, 58 XBH (30 HR), 104 RBI
Defense: 991.2 INN, -3 DRS, -5 OAA, 14 scoops
WAR: 1.4
"Pasquatch" was in the midst of a breakout season last year when a fractured thumb cut his regular season short on Aug. 29, and he has picked up right where he left off with a fantastic 2025 campaign. He is the 10th player in Royals history to record a 30-homer, 100-RBI season, with 11 such seasons total in franchise history.
7. Michael Busch, Chicago Cubs
Offense: 544 PA, 128 wRC+, .255/.333/.486, 52 XBH (28 HR), 79 RBI
Defense: 1,095.0 INN, 0 DRS, -2 OAA, 16 scoops
WAR: 2.4
The Cubs acquired Busch from the Dodgers prior to the 2024 season and turned him loose as the everyday first baseman, as he posted a 118 wRC+ with 21 home runs and 65 RBI as a rookie. The 27-year-old has taken another step forward this year, trimming his strikeout rate (28.6% to 24.3%) and upping his power production.
6. Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
Offense: 542 PA, 135 wRC+, .264/.358/.503, 58 XBH (27 HR), 73 RBI
Defense: 1,053.2 INN, -1 DRS, 1 OAA, 12 scoops
WAR: 3.4
Now in his second season as an everyday first baseman, Harper remains one of the game's most recognizable stars and an elite offensive player. The 32-year-old has secured the 10th 3-WAR season of his career as he continues on a Hall of Fame trajectory heading into the back half of a 13-year, $330 million deal.
5. Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers
6 of 10
Offense: 583 PA, 137 wRC+, .295/.365/.494, 61 XBH (20 HR), 82 RBI
Defense: 1,147.1 INN, -8 DRS, -3 OAA, 23 scoops
WAR: 3.3
Freddie Freeman is showing no signs of slowing down in his age-35 season, with a 137 wRC+ that is right in line with his 141 career mark. He continues to provide an elite mix of contact skills, plate discipline and run production.
Now in his fourth season with the Dodgers, he has been named to seven straight NL All-Star teams while finishing in the top 10 in MVP voting six times during that span.
His 39 doubles are tops in the NL, and he is up to 547 two-baggers for his career, tops among active players and 34th on the all-time list.
4. Pete Alonso, New York Mets
7 of 10
Offense: 657 PA, 137 wRC+, .266/.342/.510, 72 XBH (34 HR), 117 RBI
Defense: 1,297.0 INN, -7 DRS, -7 OAA, 28 scoops
WAR: 3.1
Pete Alonso leads all first basemen and ranks sixth in the majors with 72 extra-base hits, behind only Shohei Ohtani (79), Aaron Judge (78), Corbin Carroll (76), Kyle Schwarber (76) and Cal Raleigh (75).
He now has 260 career home runs in just seven MLB seasons, and on top of his impressive power numbers, he also boasts a career-high .266 batting average this year.
A lock to decline his 2026 player option in favor of testing the free-agent market for the second straight winter, he has made his case for a long-term deal with a more well-rounded offensive season.
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
8 of 10
Offense: 631 PA, 146 wRC+, .301/.395/.490, 56 XBH (23 HR), 80 RBI
Defense: 1,043.2 INN, 7 DRS, -2 OAA, 22 scoops
WAR: 4.3
The Blue Jays locked up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with a massive 14-year, $500 million extension in April, and with the distraction of trade talks in the rearview, he has put together one of the best all-around seasons of his career.
His power numbers are modest in comparison to the 48-homer performance he turned in during the 2021 season when he was runner-up in AL MVP voting, but he has a rare mix of elite contact skills and extra-base pop that few players in the game can match.
He also continues to provide rock-solid defense at first base, where he was the AL Gold Glove winner in 2022 and could be a finalist once again this year.
2. Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves
9 of 10
Offense: 667 PA, 138 wRC+, .277/.372/.483, 65 XBH (26 HR), 87 RBI
Defense: 1,323.0 INN, 16 DRS, 8 OAA, 15 scoops
WAR: 4.5
The best defensive first baseman in the game, Matt Olson, is also a top-tier power hitter and one of the few hitters in the Atlanta Braves lineup who has not turned in a disappointing 2025 campaign.
The 54-homer, 139-RBI season he produced in 2023 might end up being his career peak, but he remains one of the most valuable all-around players in the game with an outside shot at the third 5-WAR season of his career.
All things considered, he has done a great job filling the big shoes left behind when Freddie Freeman departed in free agency, which was no small task.
1. Nick Kurtz, Athletics
10 of 10
Offense: 440 PA, 174 wRC+, .298/.392/.628, 58 XBH (32 HR), 80 RBI
Defense: 867.1 INN, 3 DRS, -5 OAA, 9 scoops
WAR: 4.3
Nick Kurtz is having one of the greatest offensive seasons in MLB history by a rookie, with a 174 wRC+ that surpasses the likes of Jose Abreu (167), Fred Lynn (166), Aaron Judge (160), Albert Pujols (159), Mike Trout (153), Mark McGwire (150) and virtually any other legendary rookie season in recent memory.
His elite production is even more impressive when you consider that he did not hit his first home run until his 17th big league game, and since that first long ball on May 13, he has unequivocally been one of the best hitters in the sport.
The Athletics have found a true franchise cornerstone, and Kurtz has been the best first baseman in baseball this year on his way to what will almost certainly be unanimous AL Rookie of the Year honors and some down-ballot AL MVP support.
.png?w=480)
