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MLB: Top 10 First Basemen In 2025

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 3: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after hitting an RBI double during the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on June 3, 2023 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

These are the top 10 first baseman heading into the 2025 season:

1. Vladimir Guerero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays

TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 13: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 Jr. of Toronto Blue Jays swings against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on August 13, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

Gurrero Jr. took a step back from his 2021 season posting career-highs with 48 HR, 111 RBI, .311 average, and .401 OBP. 2024 saw the 25-year-old get back on tracking slashing .323/.396/.544 with 30 HR and 103 RBI. In the early stages of his prime, Vlad Guerrero Jr. should once again reach 30+ HR and 100+ RBI.

2. Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 17: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Dodger Stadium on August 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Aaron Rodgers once said, “A down year for me is a career year for other players.” The same can be said for future Hall of Famer Freddie Freeman. Dealing with injuries and personal matters, the Dodgers first baseman saw his overall numbers slide slashing .282/.378/.476. His 147 games were the lowest total since 2017, and his .476 SLG dropped below .500 for the first time since 2016. At 35 years old, he’s at the twilight of his career, but his tools and work ethic can allow him to rebound.

3. Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 22: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies after hitting a two-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

2022 and 2023 saw Harper deal with injuries causing down years. Harper bounced back in 2024, slashing .285/.373/.525 with 30 HR and 87 RBI. Entering 2025 with a full bill of health, for a second consecutive season, Bryce Harper should be comfortably penciled in at first base, rewarding fantasy baseball players with a 30+ HR and 85+ RBI season.

4. Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 30: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on March 30, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Olson finished the 2024 season seeing his power numbers drop, finishing with 29 home runs and 98 RBI. His .790 OPS was his lowest since 2018 after posting three straight seasons with .800+. Olson is a safe bet to hit the ground running on Open Day and the 30+ HR and 100+ RBI seasons fantasy baseball players have become accustomed to.

5. Pete Alonso, New York Mets

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 27: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets watches the flight of his fifth inning two-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field on April 27, 2024 in New York City. The home run was the 200th of Alonso’s career. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Entering the offseason with uncertainty regarding the team he would be playing for, Alonso re-signed with the Mets on February 5th. Staying where he’s called home since his 2019 rookie season, Alonso is poised to rebound from a down year that saw him with career-low totals in HR (34), RBI (88), SLG (.459), and OPS (.788).

6. Luis Arraez, San Diego Padres

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 28: Luis Arraez #4 of the San Diego Padres is congratulated in the dugout after scoring a run on a single by Jurickson Profar #10 during the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Petco Park on May 28, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Arraez is an anomaly for fantasy baseball. He doesn’t post the home runs, RBI, or stolen bases as his counterparts, but he is one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball. Arraez finished last season with a second consecutive season with 200+ hits and a third consecutive season with 30+ doubles and a .300+ average. Arraez’s overall numbers will help ease the pain of any power hitters that harm AVG, and he’s never accumulated more than 48 strikeouts in any season. Given his 1B & 2B eligibility, Luis Arraez is a great player to draft when others pass on his services during fantasy baseball drafts.

7. Vinnie Pasquantino, Kansas City Royals

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 31: Vinnie Pasquantino #9 of the Kansas City Royals hits a two run home run in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 31, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Pasquantino finished his first full season in the Majors setting career-highs with 19 home runs and 97 RBI. Projections temper a massive 2025 breakout with only 22 home runs and 88 RBI, but fantasy baseball players can comfortably draft Pasquantino knowing he’s capable of 30+ home runs and 90+ RBI.  

8. Christian Walker, Houston Astros

Walker has been one of the best fantasy first basemen in the last three seasons, averaging 31 HR and 93 RBI. This season will be Walker’s first with the Houston Astros, and he will undoubtedly take advantage of the Crawford Boxes in left field. His ADP currently sits in the middle of the seventh round, and Walker is a value after the top first basemen have already been drafted.

9. Josh Naylor, Arizona Diamondbacks

Naylor finished off a career year last season, hitting 31 HR while driving in 108 runs. His 31 home runs blew away his career mark of 20 set in 2022. Dealt to Arizona in the offseason, Naylor will have every opportunity to replicate his 2024 numbers at hitter-friendly Chase Field.

10. Yandy Diaz, Tampa Bay Rays

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – AUGUST 12: Yandy Diaz #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a double during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Tropicana Field on August 12, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Given Diaz’s 6’2” 215lbs frame, one would expect around 20+ home runs per season. That isn’t the case, as Diaz has reached 20 home runs only once in his career. Given his healthy career .288 average, and a keen sense of the strike zone, the Rays first baseman will not harm the AVG/OBP categories. Fantasy baseball players who wait on a first baseman can confidently take Diaz and ensure solid production.

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