JD's Top 10 1st Basemen- PIITB by JD

 JD’s Top 10 1^st Basemen – PIITB by JD

    I am back with my next set of positional rankings for the 2023 season. Unfortunately, this one won’t include two Mets in the top 10 like the starting pitcher list. But, our next extension candidate, (and my pick for captain) Pete Alonso will make an appearance. Let’s kick it off!

1. Paul Goldschmidt- How could I not put Goldy at #1. Coming off a career year and his first MVP season Goldy has to get to the #1 slot. This man had a 7.1 fwar coupled with 35 homers, .317 average and a 177 wrc+. The next couple of guys on this list may end up having a better 2023, but it would be disrespectful to Goldy for him not to be #1. 

2. Freddie Freeman- No surprise here. Freddie has been one of the top first basemen in the game for the last several years. He is coming off one of his better seasons but one that is not as “Freddie-esque”. We are used to more power out of Freddie but his value did not take a dip by any means. He hit to a tune of .325 (second in baseball behind McNeil), with 21 homers, a 157 wrc+, and a 7.1 fwar.

3. Vlad Guerrero Jr.- another unsurprising guy on this list. We heard about this guy forever. He arrived just a few years ago. He had a down year last year, but he will find his stroke again and be a dominant force for years to come. Vlad’s I expect a strong comeback for Vlad. He came off a year in which he hit 32 homers, had a 132 wrc+ and a 2.8 fwar. I predict Vlad will boost himself back up to that 4-5 fwar range. 

4. Pete Alonso- a lot of lists have Jose Abreu at this spot. He will make an appearance soon. Pete is one of the top power hitters in the sport. Him and Aaron judge are 1/2 in home runs since 2019. Pete came off a 4 war season hitting 40 bombs with a 143 wrc+. He is only getting better and is proving his consistency. 8/216. Get it done Steve.

5. Matt Olson- yea Braves fans. Pete is better than your guy. Olson is an excellent player in his own right. A good defender with a bat to pair. Olson had a 3.1 fwar season last year along with 34 homers and a 120 wrc+. Another consistent power player, just not as good as the Polar Bear.

6. Jose Abreu- one of the games top 1st basemen of the last several years. Abreu has always been a source of great power over the course of his career. Not last season though. Jose only hit 15 homers. That didn’t stop him from having a great season. 3.9 fwar and a 138 wrc+ prove. His savant peripherals were still elite showing he still has that pop. He’s 36 years old so maybe his power will dwindle but I wouldn’t count him out.

7. Nathaniel Lowe- now comes the fun part of the list. Lowe is just 26 years old and is already one of the top 1st basemen in the game. He had just a 3.0 fwar last year but slugged to a tune of a .302 average, 27 bombs, and a 143 wrc+. He will keep getting better and likely move up this list.

8. Ty France- another newcomer to this list. At just 27 years old, France is a premier first baseman in the game. Swatting 20 bombs with a 2.4 fwar and a 126 wrc+ is a good spot to be in for France. He has been consistent over the last few years and I think he’s going to take a jump.

9. Rhys Hoskins- this one might be somewhat surprising to some people. I’m high on Hoskins. He’s a great power bat in an era where power is more important than ever. Not that it’s particularly hard to find a right-handed power hitter, but Hoskins provides that consistency. I feel like I know exactly what I’m getting every year from this guy. He had a 2.2 fwar last year while hitting 30 bombs and a 122 wrc+. Hoskins is a great performer with the potential to be even better. 

10. Anthony Rizzo- I know some of you were probably expecting Luis Arraez here, but he is now a second baseman for the Marlins after Jazz moves to CF. Rizzo has the advantage of playing at Yankee stadium 81 games a year. With the short porch, Rizzo’s approach fits well. He hit 32 homers last season with a 133 wrc+ and a 2.4 fwar. I expect Rizzo to hit 25-30 homers this year. His power could take a dip but the lack of shift and the short porch provides more value to Rizzo.

 

Leave your thoughts below!

Image Creds: Shane Acedara