The Top 10 First Basemen for 2025

This may come as a suprise to start off the list. Lowe isn't a guy who's numbers jump out at you, however, you start to realize that you will absolutely take them. 2024 was also slightly a down year for Lowe, and he still posted a 120 OPS+. Now, when it comes to first basemen, the offensive production HAS to be there, playing an invaluable defensive position, and normally aren't a threat on the base paths. Lowe is a great defender though, and also is incredible at drawing walks. Is the ceiling relatively low for Lowe? Sure, but I would also say he has a high floor, especially going to a new team, he could explode.

This feels low for Vinnie, but 2024 wasn't the year that we expected from him. A relatively tame season, and the production wasn't quite enough out of a first baseman. However, his under the hood numbers are quite good. There is not a lot of swing and miss in his game, highlighted by his only 71 strikeouts, and his great whiff rate. He still makes the list despite the 111 OPS+, because his ceiling is high, and a fully healthy Vinnie batting before Witt is something that you can never take forgranted.

Yandy Diaz to me, is one of the most aesthetically pleasing batters to watch. His plate approach is fascinating. He has a very tame and contact-based approach, despite having the physique of Albert Pujols. His surface level numbers for 2024 were relatively average, and has a below average glove at first base. So why is he ranked 8th? He is a saber metric darling. He has an excellent plate approach, with very little swing and miss, but over the past two seasons, his exit velocity has improved, despite his age. He is so versatile in the sense that, if the Rays need Diaz to have a 30 home run season, he probably could. If they need him to hit .300, he probably could. Just a fascinating first baseman, and he couldn't be left off the list.

Everyone knows he is the best defensive first baseman in the league. However, you can see what an elite defender at first base is worth WAR-wise: 2.6. Walker is a first basemen that this offseason, was very sought after, and for good reason. He is going to turn in good production. What are the concerns then? Well, hypothetically, nothing is saying he is going to regress. I wouldn't read into him being number 7 as a disrespect, as the top 3 are far and away the best. My only concern for Walker: Age. He could hit an aging curve, but he could also put 40 homeruns in the Crawford Boxes. Not down on him, just high on others.

I'm not usually the biggest Pete Alonso fan, and he's coming off one of his weaker seasons. That being said, he still played 162 games, and hit 34 homeruns, which to me, is pretty darn valuable. Alonso is not a great defender by OAA, and is not a good baserunner, so Alonso has to get his value with his bat. I think Alonso is going to have a bounce back year with the Mets, because the lineup is way better, let me explain. This lineup will now have Soto thrown in the mix, so Alonso isn't the power bat that you pitch around. This is a bit of a gamble to have him higher than some of the other guys, but I think he could easily turn in a great year in 2025.

Let me explain. The Cardinals announced that Contreras will be moving from Catcher to First base in 2025, and he is all for it. This is genius. The Cardinals have good depth at Catcher, and with first base now opened up with Goldy gone, The Cardinals can keep his bat in the lineup without making him DH. Now, is there potential concern with learning a new position, but it happens to be the least important position on the diamond. Another reason: Contreras had a higher WAR at Catcher than other first basemen had in an entire season. Give him a full season at a position that will take less skill than Catcher, and Contreras might blossom into one of the best hitters in the NL. I truly believe that. There is a bit of a gamble here, but there is an absolute possibility of him having the best offensive year of his career.

Matt Olson had a down year in 2024, it's quite clear. However, you could say the same thing about the entire Braves lineup. We know how good Matt Olson is, and if you think this down year is going to be a trend, then you are sorely mistaken. Olson is one of the best pure hitters in the NL, and the andvanced data supports it. Despite having a down year at the plate, he did improve his defense in 2024. I don't think Olson should be any lower than 4, but shouldn't be higher.

The Top 3 first basemen is clear, it's the order that is different for everyone. Freeman is one of the best hitters in the league, and I am fully expecting to be burned by putting him at 3. Freeman is very good at baseball. The only thing I can hold against Freeman is age. It will be his age 35 season. When comparing reasons for regression in 2025 for the top 3 first baseman, Freeman's age is the most concerning, but not concerning enough to drop him past 3, not even close.

Harper is probably the second best defensive first baseman, and at least the third best offensive first baseman. Harper is a dog, you don't need me to tell you that. Why is he not one then? 

Because Vladdy Jr could have easily won the 2024 MVP if it weren't for Aaron Judge. Oh and by the way, he's only 25, so it is not crazy to say that his best years are still in front of him. Sure he doesn't have a great glove, but I mean come on, look at these numbers, they are absurd.