
Justin Smoak – Toronto Blue Jays
Since Justin Smoak entered MLB in 2010, high expectations surrounded him and many expected his power numbers to translate to the major leagues quickly. However, that wasn’t the case. In his first seven seasons in the league, Smoak never managed to hit more than 20 home runs in a season.
That all changed when 2017 came around. Smoak had a breakout year with the Toronto Blue Jays last season. His successful 2017 campaign moved him into the top 10 first basemen discussion and has him ranking No. 8 on this list.
Last season, Smoak owned a slash line of .270/.355/.529 with 38 home runs, 90 RBI, 85 runs and a 3.2 bWAR. Smoak saw career highs in almost every statistical category on the offensive side of the ball. His 2017 performance earned him his first All-Star game appearance.
His 38 home runs left him tied with Logan Morrison and Edwin Encarnacion for most home runs in the AL by a first baseman in 2017. He also carried a poor Blue Jays team for the majority of last season.
Can Smoak follow up his stellar 2017 with another great season in 2018? If so, he might find himself higher on this list come next year.
7. Edwin Encarnacion – Cleveland Indians
After an impressive year in 2016, Edwin Encarnacion decided to take his talents back to the United States by leaving the Toronto Blue Jays and signing with the Cleveland Indians. Although Encarnacion’s 2017 wasn’t as good as the year before, he still had another solid campaign.
Encarnacion only played 23 games at first base in 2017, so he barely qualifies to make this list. The Indians opted to use the 35-year-old as the DH for a majority of the season. Which was no surprise because Carlos Santana was apparently the better defensive option at first. And with the Indians addition of Yonder Alonso this offseason, Encarnacion may end up as a full-time DH in 2018.
However, he comes in at No. 7 on this list heading into 2018. Last season he hit .258/.377/.504 with 38 home runs, 107 RBI, 96 runs and a 2.8 bWAR. His 107 RBI led all AL first basemen. And for the sixth straight season, Encarnacion finished in the top 10 home run leaders.
Despite Encarnacion aging, his power doesn’t seem to be going away. With focusing just on offense next season, could his numbers be on the rise?