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MLB Top Ten First Base Prospects For the 2017 Season

By Benjamin Chase

Mar 4, 2017; Mesa, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Cody Bellinger (61) at bat during a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park. The Cubs beat the Dodger 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Mesa, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Cody Bellinger (61) at bat during a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park. The Cubs beat the Dodger 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports /
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10. Matt Thaiss, Los Angeles Angels

Thaiss was a New Jersey prep catcher that caught the Red Sox eye, but he was quite secure in his commitment to the University of Virginia.

After a very solid collegiate catching career, Thaiss was highly regarded in the 2016 draft, but for his bat, not as a catcher.

Thaiss was moved immediately by the Angels to first base, a position not ideal for his 6′ height, but he’s doing very well with the transition both offensively and defensively thus far, though the defense is understandably still clunky at times.

Thaiss hit .292/.361/.462 in 297 plate appearances with the Angels advanced rookie level team and their low-A Midwest League team. He smacked 19 doubles, 4 triples, and 6 home runs.

Thaiss has an elite swing that should allow him to have solid contact and excellent gap power currently and develop home run power as he matures. Likely, he’ll open 2017 in high-A or AA, and there is a legit chance he sees big league time as soon as this September.

9. Dan Vogelbach, Seattle Mariners

Vogelbach has been tracked since he was drafted out of high school in 2011 by the Chicago Cubs as a hefty 6′ first baseman.

While lacking the prototypical size, Vogelbach could always put a light under the baseball, especially in batting practice. His power wasn’t always as consistent in game, but he showed the ability to be a solid hitter for average and power while limiting his strikeouts.

Vogelbach’s weight has reached higher levels at times, but is listed at 250 currently. That has been a problem for him in the past, and while he has a solid bat, it’s not the type of bat that would likely be prototypical for a DH-only career, so he needs to have some level of athleticism to handle first base.

Vogelbach looked rough in a first go-round with Seattle in 2016 in the majors, but he should be the heavy side of a platoon at first base this season, and his platoon partner, Danny Valencia, is a guy who makes a pretty decent comparison for him right away until he is able to access more of the prodigious power in his swing at the big league level.

Next: #7, #8

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