I will be compiling a list of the top three players at each position including designated hitter leading into Spring Training. My lists are based off of career stats/accomplishments, 2018 statistics, and their projections going into 2019. Today we continue with the best first basemen in the MLB.
First base is stacked with talent, which did not make this list easy to make, so there will be some disappointed fans reading this.
As stated in the title, there are only three spots to fill, so there are many center fielders that were not able to get on my list, so let’s first go through those players:
Just Missed
Anthony Rizzo (Chicago Cubs)
Anthony Rizzo did not make the list because he hit the fewest amount of home runs since 2013, and all of his numbers were down as well.
Rizzo is projected to have his worst season since 2013, so even though I am still a believer in him and he is still an elite first basemen, his decline in stats over the past few years was discouraging enough to leave him off.
Max Muncy (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Max Muncy put the league on notice in really his first full season. In 137 games, Muncy hit 35 home runs with nearly 80 RBI’s hitting in the middle of a power lineup with Turner and Bellinger.
Muncy was not able to make my list because as I said, he struggled in Oakland and so until he repeats his 2018 season this year, so believe it or not I am not too high on him.
Matt Olson (Oakland Athletics)
Matt Olson had a huge year helping the Athletics reach the postseason, hitting nearly 30 home runs and driving in 84.
It is hard for me to put Olson in the top three when he has only had good seasons for two years, and so until the Athletics are in contention more often and Olson keeps up this pace, then he will be on the verge of getting into the top three.
Now onto the top three first basemen in the league…