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Ranking Every MLB Team's Starting First Baseman for 2026 Season
Welcome to Bleacher Report's 2026 MLB preseason position rankings.
Up next is first base, where there is a heated debate to be had crowning the No. 1 player among the likes of Pete Alonso (BAL), Freddie Freeman (LAD), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR), Bryce Harper (PHI) and Matt Olson (ATL).
New to the position Rafael Devers (SF) and new to MLB stardom Nick Kurtz (ATH) are also part of that top-tier group, while Vinnie Pasquantino (KC), Michael Busch (CHC) and Ben Rice (NYY) are part of a rising group knocking on the door.
Each team's projected primary starter for the 2026 season is included in the rankings. Players are ranked based on expectations for the coming campaign. Offensive and defensive contributions were both considered, and past track records played a major role in determining each player's outlook.
Catch up on the 2026 Preseason Position Ranking here: Second Basemen, Shortstops, Third Basemen
Top Prospects Who Will Eventually Be Starting in 2026
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Charlie Condon, Colorado Rockies (No. 67 on B/R Top 100)
Condon hit a gaudy .433/.556/1.009 with 37 home runs in 60 games during his junior season at Georgia and won the Golden Spikes Award before going No. 3 overall in the 2024 draft. He logged an .820 OPS while reaching Double-A in his first full professional season, and hit .337 with a .439 on-base percentage in the Arizona Fall League. He looks like the long-term answer at first base.
Abimelec Ortiz, Washington Nationals
Ortiz broke through with a 33-homer, 101-RBI season in 2023, and he has produced every step of the way as a bat-first prospect. The Nationals acquired him as part of the blockbuster deal that sent MacKenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers, and after posting a .953 OPS with 18 extra-base hits in 165 plate appearances at Triple-A last year, he is poised to debut soon.
Nos. 30-28
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30. Andrés Chaparro, Washington Nationals
Offense: 73 PA, 44 OPS+, .182/.247/.258, 3 XBH (1 HR), 5 RBI
Defense: 149.0 INN, 1 DRS, 0 OAA
WAR: -0.4
After hitting .281/.367/.512 with 62 home runs in 290 games at Triple-A over the last three seasons, Chaparro is looking to shed the Quad-A label and carve out a regular role in the big leagues. The 26-year-old has two minor league options remaining, and he will need to hold off non-roster invitees Matt Mervis and Warming Bernabel this spring, while Luis García Jr. is also a candidate to shift to first base.
29. Edouard Julien, Colorado Rockies
Offense: 208 PA, 76 OPS+, .220/.309/.324, 13 XBH (3 HR), 12 RBI
Defense: 175.0 INN, -2 DRS, -3 OAA
WAR: -0.8
Julien looked like a rising star in 2023 when he posted a 130 OPS+ with 16 doubles, 16 home runs and 2.6 WAR in 109 games. However, he has not come close to that level of production since, hitting .208/.299/.324 with negative-0.9 WAR in 158 games. With club control through 2029, he is a nice buy-low pickup for the Rockies with impact upside.
28. Christopher Morel, Miami Marlins
Offense: 305 PA, 90 OPS+, .219/.289/.396, 27 XBH (11 HR), 33 RBI
Defense: Did not play 1B in 2025
WAR: -0.3
Morel broke onto the scene with exciting seasons for the Cubs in 2022 and 2023, but he has hit just .204 with a strikeout rate near 30 percent the last two years and was non-tendered by the Rays at the start of the offseason. The Marlins rolled the dice with a one-year, $2 million deal, and they will try out his power bat at first base for the first time in his career. Liam Hicks is also an option after he split time between catcher, first base and designated hitter in 2025.
Nos. 27-25
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27. Carlos Santana, Arizona Diamondbacks
Offense: 474 PA, 77 OPS+, .219/.308/.325, 22 XBH (11 HR), 54 RBI
Defense: 848.1 INN, 12 DRS, 8 OAA
WAR: 1.1
Still productive heading into his age-40 season, Santana inked a one-year, $2 million deal to serve as a stopgap at first base for the D-backs while Tyler Locklear tries to earn the long-term job. With 335 home runs, 1,136 RBI and 112 OPS+ over 16 seasons, he has put together a stellar resume, and he remains a standout defender with strong on-base skills and a steady glove.
26. Jake Burger, Texas Rangers
Offense: 376 PA, 99 OPS+, .236/.269/.419, 32 XBH (16 HR), 53 RBI
Defense: 756.2 INN, 1 DRS, -2 OAA
WAR: 0.9
Between a Triple-A demotion in May and three separate trips to the injured list once he returned to the majors, Burger had a forgettable first season in a Rangers uniform. The 29-year-old slugged a combined 63 home runs in 2023 and 2024, and his batted-ball metrics are still intriguing, but he needs to rebound to avoid being non-tendered next offseason.
25. Sal Stewart, Cincinnati Reds
Offense: 58 PA, 121 OPS+, .255/.293/.545, 6 XBH (5 HR), 8 RBI
Defense: 81.0 INN, 2 DRS, 1 OAA
WAR: 0.5
Stewart hit .309/.383/.524 with 34 doubles, 20 home runs and 80 RBI in 118 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season, firmly establishing himself as Cincinnati's top prospect before debuting as a September call-up. The 22-year-old will be given every opportunity to win the everyday first base job this spring, but the Reds infield could be a fluid situation with Stewart capable of playing second and third base, and Spencer Steer also a candidate for starts at first.
Nos. 24-22
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24. Gavin Sheets, San Diego Padres
Offense: 545 PA, 105 OPS+, .252/.317/.429, 48 XBH (19 HR), 71 RBI
Defense: 99.1 INN, 0 DRS, 1 OAA
WAR: 0.7
Signed to a minor league deal last offseason, Sheets ended up finishing among the Padres team leaders in hits (124, fifth), home runs (19, third), RBI (71, second) and total bases (211, fourth). The 29-year-old was stretched defensively as a left fielder, but now gets a chance to return to his natural position at first base after Luis Arraez departed in free agency.
23. Josh Bell, Minnesota Twins
Offense: 533 PA, 110 OPS+, .237/.325/.417, 39 XBH (22 HR), 63 RBI
Defense: 253.0 INN, -4 DRS, -4 OAA
WAR: 0.4
Bell will be suiting up for his seventh different team in the last six years after signing a one-year, $7 million deal with the Twins, and he remains a solid middle-of-the-order bat with limited secondary value. With an .857 OPS and 11 home runs in 56 games after the All-Star break, he will be asked to serve as one of the primary run producers on a retooling Twins squad.
22. Andrew Vaughn, Milwaukee Brewers
Offense: 447 PA, 99 OPS+, .254/.307/.411, 36 XBH (14 HR), 65 RBI
Defense: 768.0 INN, -4 DRS, 1 OAA
WAR: -0.4
Vaughn never delivered on the expectations that came with being the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 draft during his time with the White Sox, but he thrived with a change of scenery last summer. In 64 games with the Brewers, he had a 141 OPS+ with 14 doubles, nine home runs and 46 RBI. The 27-year-old will be the primary first baseman, with Jake Bauers seeing occasional starts.
Nos. 21-19
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21. Nolan Schanuel, Los Angeles Angels
Offense: 564 PA, 107 OPS+, .264/.353/.389, 36 XBH (12 HR), 53 RBI
Defense: 1,131.0 INN, -5 DRS, -2 OAA
WAR: 1.3
The Angels fast-tracked Schanuel to the majors after taking him No. 11 overall in the 2023 draft, and his strong on-base skills have given him a strong foundation of offensive value. The question now is whether he can take a step forward with his power production after logging a .371 slugging percentage over his first three seasons.
20. Spencer Horwitz, Pittsburgh Pirates
Offense: 411 PA, 118 OPS+, .272/.353/.434, 37 XBH (11 HR), 51 RBI
Defense: 828.2 INN, 0 DRS, 1 OAA
WAR: 1.6
The Pirates acquired Horwitz in a three-team deal with the Blue Jays and Guardians prior to the 2025 season. After missing the first 45 games of the season recovering from wrist surgery, he returned strong and was the only Pittsburgh regular to post an OPS+ over 100. With a better supporting cast, he has breakout potential and is the leading candidate to occupy the leadoff spot in the batting order.
19. Kyle Manzardo, Cleveland Guardians
Offense: 531 PA, 110 OPS+, .234/.313/.455, 48 XBH (27 HR), 70 RBI
Defense: 459.2 INN, -7 DRS, -3 OAA
WAR: 0.4
Manzardo gave the Guardians a much-needed secondary power threat last season while serving as the primary protection for José Ramírez out of the cleanup spot in the order. The 25-year-old took a nice step forward from the first half (300 PA, .217/.293/.442) to the second half (231 PA, .256/.338/.473), and a 30-homer season is well within reach with a bit more consistency.
Nos. 18-16
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18. Christian Walker, Houston Astros
Offense: 640 PA, 97 OPS+, .238/.297/.421, 52 XBH (27 HR), 88 RBI
Defense: 1,316.0 INN, -7 DRS, 2 OAA
WAR: 0.2
The overall numbers don't look great, but Walker managed to salvage his Astros debut with a strong second half (64 G, .799 OPS, 15 HR, 41 RBI), and he will try to pick up where he left off in 2026. Elite defense was a significant chunk of his value during his time with the D-backs, and he won three straight Gold Gloves from 2022-24, so a better showing in the field would also rebuild his stock.
17. Alec Burleson, St. Louis Cardinals
Offense: 546 PA, 125 OPS+, .290/.343/.459, 46 XBH (18 HR), 69 RBI
Defense: 356.0 INN, -3 DRS, 0 OAA
WAR: 1.8
Miscast as an outfielder (-12 DRS, -20 OAA career), Burleson can now return to his more natural spot at first base after Willson Contreras was traded to the Red Sox. He was one of only 12 qualified hitters with a strikeout rate below 15 percent and an OPS+ above 120 in 2025, and with less focus on trying to be a passable outfielder, a career year at the plate could be on the horizon.
16. Munetaka Murakami, Chicago White Sox
Offense: 263 PA, .286/.392/.659, 34 XBH (24 HR), 52 RBI
No one has forgotten about the 56-homer, 134-RBI season Murakami put together as a 22-year-old in 2022, but there is enough swing-and-miss in his profile to wonder how well that elite power will translate to the MLB game. He ended up settling for a two-year, $34 million deal with an opt-out from the rebuilding White Sox, and he will now have a chance to prove himself in a relatively low-pressure environment.
Nos. 15-13
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15. Spencer Torkelson, Detroit Tigers
Offense: 649 PA, 117 OPS+, .240/.333/.456, 59 XBH (31 HR), 78 RBI
Defense: 1,272.0 INN, 0 DRS, -2 OAA
WAR: 2.3
Torkelson entered spring training last year without a guaranteed role after a poor 2023 season, but he won the first base job and put together a standout performance at the plate. A career-high 11.1 percent walk rate gave him a less power-reliant offensive profile, though he also matched his career-high with 31 long balls to finish 13th on the AL leaderboard.
14. Jorge Polanco, New York Mets
Offense: 524 PA, 134 OPS+, .265/.326/.495, 56 XBH (26 HR), 78 RBI
Defense: Did not play 1B in 2025
WAR: 2.6
Originally a shortstop who shifted to second base, Polanco had the best offensive season of his career last season while serving as Seattle's primary designated hitter. The Mets will now give him a shot at first base after losing Pete Alonso in free agency, and while that puts more pressure on his bat, his underlying metrics were strong enough to believe he can be similarly productive in 2026.
13. Ben Rice, New York Yankees
Offense: 530 PA, 131 OPS+, .255/.337/.499, 58 XBH (26 HR), 65 RBI
Defense: 370.0 INN, -2 DRS, 1 OAA
WAR: 2.3
Rice did the bulk of his damage last season against right-handed pitching, and that will likely be the case once again after veteran Paul Goldschmidt was re-signed to serve as his platoon partner. With occasional starts behind the plate mixed in with his primary first base role, there is a path to 600 plate appearances. His elite batted-ball metrics scream 30-homer upside.
Nos. 12-10
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12. Jonathan Aranda, Tampa Bay Rays
Offense: 422 PA, 146 OPS+, .316/.393/.489, 36 XBH (14 HR), 59 RBI
Defense: 765.2 INN, 7 DRS, 1 OAA
WAR: 3.5
A fractured wrist cost Aranda nearly two months during the second half of his breakout season. His .409 BABIP was the highest of any hitter with at least 400 plate appearances in 2025, and while stellar batted-ball metrics should keep that number from cratering, some level of regression will be unavoidable. However, that could still mean a 120 OPS+ and 3 WAR, which is a great production floor.
11. Willson Contreras, Boston Red Sox
Offense: 563 PA, 123 OPS+, .257/.344/.447, 52 XBH (20 HR), 80 RBI
Defense: 1,011.2 INN, -1 DRS, 6 OAA
WAR: 2.5
Contreras made the full-time shift to first base last season and led the Cardinals in home runs (20) and RBI (80), logging his fourth 20-homer season in the last five years. A change of scenery to a legitimate contender in Boston should help light a fire, and the three-time All-Star has been a remarkably consistent hitter throughout his big league career.
10. Vinnie Pasquantino, Kansas City Royals
Offense: 682 PA, 120 OPS+, .264/.323/.475, 66 XBH (32 HR), 113 RBI
Defense: 1,084.1 INN, -2 DRS, -7 OAA
WAR: 2.4
Prior to Pasquantino in 2025, it had been 50 years since a Royals first baseman had a 30-homer, 100-RBI season, going all the way back to John Mayberry in 1975. With 210 RBI over the last two seasons, he has established himself as a reliable run producer in the middle of the Kansas City lineup. Despite limited athleticism, he has also developed into a passable defender at first base.
Nos. 9-7
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9. Josh Naylor, Seattle Mariners
Offense: 604 PA, 128 OPS+, .295/.353/.462, 50 XBH (20 HR), 92 RBI
Defense: 1,081.0 INN, -1 DRS, 1 OAA
WAR: 3.1
Naylor fit perfectly into the Seattle lineup and clubhouse after he was acquired from the D-backs at the deadline, posting a 138 OPS+ with 19 extra-base hits and 2.2 WAR in 54 games. The front office moved quickly to re-sign him to a five-year, $92.5 million deal at the start of free agency, and he should stabilize what has long been a revolving door at first base.
8. Michael Busch, Chicago Cubs
Offense: 592 PA, 147 OPS+, .261/.343/.523, 64 XBH (34 HR), 90 RBI
Defense: 1,185.0 INN, 2 DRS, -1 OAA
WAR: 4.6
After quietly posting a 118 OPS+ with 21 home runs as a rookie, Busch took another step forward last season and led a high-powered Cubs offense with 34 home runs. He was largely shielded from left-handed pitching last year, logging just 95 plate appearances against southpaws with a .642 OPS, and his platoon status is all that keeps him from climbing higher at this point.
7. Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
Offense: 580 PA, 129 OPS+, .261/.357/.487, 59 XBH (27 HR), 75 RBI
Defense: 1,132.2 INN, -3 DRS, 1 OAA
WAR: 3.1
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski called into question whether Harper is still an "elite" player at the end of last season, and now it's time to see how the future Hall of Famer responds. His numbers were down last year, but prior to that he logged five consecutive years with a 140 OPS+ or better, and the batted-ball metrics say he was still every bit the player he was during that impressive run.
Nos. 6-4
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6. Rafael Devers, San Francisco Giants
Offense: 729 PA, 140 OPS+, .252/.372/.479, 68 XBH (35 HR), 109 RBI
Defense: 249.0 INN, 2 DRS, -1 OAA
WAR: 4.1
Oracle Park is not exactly paradise for most power hitters, but Devers logged a 130 OPS+ with 20 home runs in 90 games after he was traded to the Giants last year, and that included an .825 OPS and 11 homers in his new home ballpark. The 29-year-old has averaged 32 home runs, 99 RBI and 3.9 WAR over the last five years, and is one of baseball's top-tier run producers.
5. Pete Alonso, Baltimore Orioles
Offense: 709 PA, 144 OPS+, .272/.347/.524, 80 XBH (38 HR), 126 RBI
Defense: 1,403.0 INN, -9 DRS, -9 OAA
WAR: 3.4
Alonso inked a five-year, $155 million deal with the Orioles in one of the more surprising moves of the offseason, and he quite literally has the power to transform that lineup. His 144 OPS+ last season was a nice uptick from the 123 and 122 marks he posted the previous two years, and his .524 slugging percentage was his highest since his record-setting rookie season.
4. Nick Kurtz, Athletics
Offense: 489 PA, 173 OPS+, .290/.383/.619, 64 XBH (36 HR), 86 RBI
Defense: 970.2 INN, 2 DRS, -6 OAA
WAR: 5.4
Kurtz put together an all-time great rookie season with no red flags in his underlying metrics. His bat speed (98th percentile), barrel rate (98th percentile) and average exit velocity (92nd percentile) were all elite, and his 173 OPS+ trailed only Aaron Judge (215) and Shohei Ohtani (179) among players with 400 plate appearances. There is also room for more if he can improve against left-handed pitching (153 PA, .197 BA, .685 OPS) in 2026.
Nos. 3-1
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3. Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers
Offense: 627 PA, 141 OPS+, .295/.367/.502, 65 XBH (24 HR), 90 RBI
Defense: 1,239.0 INN, -7 DRS, -1 OAA
WAR: 3.5
One of the best pure hitters in baseball, Freeman figures to age better than many of his positional counterparts whose value is overly reliant on power production. That said, he did log the 12th 20-homer season of his career in 2025. The 36-year-old is durable and consistent, and he has not posted an OPS+ below 130 since the 2012 season.
2. Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves
Offense: 724 PA, 138 OPS+, .272/.366/.484, 72 XBH (29 HR), 95 RBI
Defense: 1,429.0 INN, 17 DRS, 9 OAA
WAR: 6.0
Olson is the best defensive first baseman in baseball and a perennial 30-homer threat, giving him a more well-rounded profile that helps boost him up these rankings. He has tallied at least 60 extra-base hits in each of the last five seasons, and that consistency has been paired with the unmatched durability of playing in all 162 games for four years running.
1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
Offense: 680 PA, 133 OPS+, .292/.381/.467, 57 XBH (23 HR), 84 RBI
Defense: 1,126.2 INN, 8 DRS, -2 OAA
WAR: 4.6
If there is a true separator in the crowded top tier of first basemen, it's the playoff performance Guerrero delivered last October when he hit .397/.494/.795 with eight home runs and 15 RBI in 18 games. The 26-year-old is locked in for the long haul after inking a 14-year, $500 million extension last April, and he is the face of the franchise for a Blue Jays team with title aspirations.
