4. Jose Abreu – Chicago White Sox
Despite the Chicago White Sox being in full rebuild mode, Jose Abreu continues to smash the ball and comes in at No. 4 on this list. In his four seasons in MLB, Abreu’s proved to be one of the most consistent hitters in all of baseball.
Entering the league back in 2014, Abreu was a 27-year-old rookie out of Cuba. He proved that he belonged in the big leagues by having an outstanding season that ended in him taking home AL Rookie of the Year honors.
Abreu followed up his excellent rookie season with three more outstanding seasons. However, with the Chicago White Sox nowhere near contention, Abreu doesn’t get the attention that he deserves.
In 2017, Abreu hit .304/.354/.552 with 33 home runs, 102 RBI, 95 runs and a 4.7 bWAR. With 189 hits last season, Abreu finished second among all first basemen in that category. He racked up 343 total bases, which ranked him first in the AL. And he finished tied with Houston Astros’ first baseman Yuli Gurriel for first in doubles with 43.
The 31-year-old continues to produce, despite having minimal talent around him. And that success is why Abreu ranks so high on this list.
3. Freddie Freeman – Atlanta Braves
We’ve now hit the most challenging part of the top 10 first basemen rankings. Any of these three players could fit at No.1, No. 2 or No. 3 because they are all that good. But on this list, coming in at No. 3 is Atlanta Braves’, Freddie Freeman.
Since his rookie season in 2011, Freeman has established himself as the best player on the Braves, taking over after Chipper Jones retired. The Braves were a playoff team when Freeman joined the squad. But over the past four seasons, the Braves haven’t come close to making it to the postseason.
Nevertheless, Freeman’s become one of the best players today’s game and he still gets the nod this high on the list, despite missing half of May and all of June in 2017. A hit by pitch fractured Freeman’s wrist.
Before the injury, Freeman was on pace for career highs in almost every offensive category. His 2017 stats include a slash line of .307/.403/.586 with 28 home runs, 71 RBI, 84 runs and a 4.5 bWAR.
At just 28 years old, Freeman’s numbers should jump up as he enters his prime. If that’s the case, he could sneak up to No. 1 by this time next season.