The baseball season has just begun, but it is never too early to take a look at the top 1B. Here is a breakdown of the top five overall, the next five to keep an eye on, and five that are worth a spot on your roster.
Top Five MLB 1Bs
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays): He was a first-round pick in most leagues and rightfully so. Guerrero mashed a year ago with a .323/.396/.544 slash line. He will hope to repeat those numbers heading into free agency. The superstar recently turned 26 and has been a full-time major leaguer since 2019.
- Bryce Harper (Phillies): Long-time star hit his first home run Thursday, including spring training. He did hit .293 in spring and drove in four runs. The 32-year-old has turned himself into a solid 1B, but is always willing to move back to the outfield.
- Matt Olson (Braves): He is off to a slow start and may suffer more with Jurickson Profar’s 80-game suspension. He is still capable of carrying a team by himself, but really could use Ronald Acuna coming back strong in May off his injury.
- Pete Alonso (Mets): You watch the guy hit and remember all the great things he has done in New York and you wonder how he stayed a free agent so long. He is dedicated, his fans and teammates love him and now he is hitting alongside Juan Soto. He hit a monster grand slam Monday night against the Marlins.
- Freddie Freeman (Dodgers): Every player on the defending champions is in the top 5 or close. The post-season hero was injured for most of spring training, but he already has two home runs and has Mookie Betts back in the lineup.
1Bs on the Brink
-
- Josh Naylor (Diamondbacks): He quietly made a name for himself in Cleveland and now has joined a more potent lineup in Arizona, replacing Christian Walker. He hit 31 home runs and drove in 108 runs for the Guardians last season.
- Christian Walker (Astros): A big free agent contract has not helped him get off to a good start. He dealt with an oblique issue all spring, but was able to bat cleanup on Opening Day. After 26 homers last year, he is predicted to hit 30 or more this season. He drove in 94 runs in 2022 and 103 in 2023 for the Diamondbacks, so expect his production to pick up soon.
- Cody Bellinger (Yankees): He had only 18 home runs and 78 RBI last season for the Cubs, but in 2023 he had 97 RBI and in 2019 he hit 47 home runs and drove in 115 runs for the Dodgers. He spent most of his career as an outfielder, but has enough games at 1B to qualify and is hitting next to Aaron Judge.
- Vince Pasquantino (Royals): He enjoyed a breakout year in his third season last year with 19 home runs and 97 RBI. He had a hamstring injury for most of the spring, so he has been limited to DH duty. Batting behind Bobby Witt Jr, however, is a major plus and he should just get better.
- Paul Goldschmidt (Yankees): Batting leadoff for the first time in his career, like most Yankees, is off to a great start. His career has dipped since signing a big free agent contract with the Cardinals, but like Bellinger, he now hits in a lineup with Judge. As recently as 2022, he hit 35 home runs and 115 RBI.
Who are these guys?
- Wilmer Flores (Giants): Yes, that Wilmer Flores. He has never driven in more than 71 runs in a season, but is off to the best start of all MLB 1Bs. Can he keep it up? He may be worth a shot.
- Nate Lowe (Nationals): Lowe has been up and down. Twenty-seven home runs in 2022, 82 RBI in 2023, but only 16 home runs and 69 RBI for Texas last season. He is off to a good start with the Nationals.
- Gavin Sheets (Padres): Eligible at both 1B and OF, he is starting in San Diego and may be ready to make noise. He did strike out 106 times last season, which is concerning.
- Tyler Soderstrom (A’s): He has had limited duty in his first two years, but is now the A’s starter. Playing in a Triple A park could really pay off.
- Michael Busch (Cubs): He was slated to be the Cubs 3B of the future, but now has settled in at 1B. He had 21 home runs and 65 RBI last season and is projected to be a long-time All-Star.
1B is an important position in power leagues. Anyone who is batting cleanup or higher is in a prime spot to drive in lots of runs. In leagues that allow multiple positions, looks for 1Bs that can also be posted in the outfield. The prize of multiple positions in 2024 may be long-time Kansas City Royals slugger Salvador Perez, who in many leagues is eligible at 1B and catcher.
