The National League's Top 5 First Basemen

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Traditionally, first base is a position of power in MLB, where hitters capable of knocking out 30-40 home runs a year play in the field. That has been less true in recent years, but there are still some top National League sluggers that play the position.

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These players are in very different spots in their careers, but all of them are extremely talented. Based on what they’ve done in the past and what it seems like they’re capable of doing in 2016, here are the Senior Circuit’s top five first basemen.

5. Freddie Freeman – Atlanta Braves

He missed nearly 50 games last season, but Freeman still put together a nice 2015 campaign. In 481 plate appearances, he managed 18 home runs to go with 66 RBI. Those certainly aren’t the numbers the lefty has grown accustomed to, but with better health, he should return to normal in 2016.

What’s hard to believe is that Freeman has yet to reach his potential. His 2013 season certainly was a breakout year as he clubbed 23 long balls and drove in 109 runs while batting .319, but he hasn’t been able to sustain those kind of numbers.

Without much help in the Braves’ lineup, it might be tough for Freeman to duplicate those numbers anytime soon, but his offense-defense combination still puts him at the bottom of the top five at his position.

4. Adrian Gonzalez – Los Angeles Dodgers

Once upon a time, Gonzalez was a perennial MVP candidate. That’s no longer the case, but he still is an above-average middle-of-the-order bat. In a relatively deep Dodger lineup, Gonzalez should be in for another solid year if he can stay healthy. That hasn’t been a problem lately; he’s missed just 14 games in the last three years.

Over those past three years, Gonzalez’s stats have remained relatively steady as well. He has hit between 22-28 home runs a year while driving in 90-116 runs a season. One has to wonder when his production will start dropping off, though.

At 33, he might only have a few good years left in him, but desperate for a title, he could be supremely motivated in 2016. That makes for yet another solid year as the lefty finishes up his prime.

3. Joey Votto – Cincinnati Reds

After missing the majority of the 2014 season, Votto burst back onto the scene for the Reds last year. He was so impressive, many considered him a top MVP candidate a year ago.

The most impressive thing about Votto’s 2015 season is the fact he reached base at a .459 clip. With a patient approach and a surprising ability to hit for contact from a power hitter, Votto reaches base nearly half the time. Almost nobody else in the league is able to do that.

Votto doesn’t have a ton of help in a weak Reds lineup, but that won’t matter for him as much as other hitters. Since he’s so patient, even when pitchers pitch around him, he will simply take his walks. Either pitchers go after him and risk getting burned or they pitch around him and put him on base.

It’s Votto’s ability to play with a pitcher’s head in that way that makes him a truly special presence at the plate.

2. Anthony Rizzo – Chicago Cubs

Something that should scare opposing National League pitchers is the fact that Anthony Rizzo has only scratched the surface of his potential. That’s strange to say about a 26-year-old that finished fourth in NL MVP voting last year, but it’s true.

Until last season, Rizzo was still just a kid playing for a rebuilding team. Now, he’s the most important hitter on baseball’s best team. Last year, he embraced that role and it helped him to a breakout performance. As he enters his prime, his numbers should only improve.

As a lefty power hitter at Wrigley Field, Rizzo has a chance to put up some gaudy numbers. Last year, the Friendly Confines saw an unusual number of games in which the wind was blowing in. Despite that, Rizzo put up career numbers. If the wind blows out more, as it usually does, in 2016, expect the lefty slugger to seriously compete for the league MVP award.

1. Paul Goldschmidt – Arizona Diamondbacks

There is no doubt at all that Paul Goldschmidt is the cream of the crop at first base in the National League. One could easily say he’s the best player in baseball that has yet to win an MVP award. Boy, has he come close, though.

The slugger has finished runner up in the NL MVP race twice already and put up numbers worthy of winning the award in each year. This could finally be the year he wins the prestigious award.

With A.J. Pollock entering his second full season, the D’Backs’ lineup looks better than it has in years. He will be getting on base for Goldschmidt to knock him in. Additionally, Goldschmidt could be more motivated, especially late in the season, as Arizona actually figures to contend in 2016.

His entire career has been building to this season. Goldschmidt is ready to challenge Bryce Harper as the top player in the National League. Despite the hype surrounding Harper, Goldy might come out on top.

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