MLB Best: The Top 3 First Basemen Right Now

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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…

3. Joey Votto (Cincinnati Reds)

Although I compile this list with no bias whatsoever, Joey Votto is still one of my favorite players in the game. He continues to amaze everyone with his consistent numbers and in the era we are in with the ‘launch angle’, Votto continues to be hit like everyone should, which is base hits and getting base.

Although Votto may have only hit 12 home runs, he still had an OPS of over .400 in addition to showing plate discipline with over 100 walks for the fourth straight season.

He is a six time All Star with a gold glove in 2011 and won the National league Most Valuable Player back in 2010.

Votto is currently in a ten year contract with the Reds, a contract that expires in 2023 with an option in 2024. Votto is sure to be consistent until the age of 40.

In 2019 Votto is projected to eight more home runs, an increased batting average, and an increase in slugging percentage of more than 60 points.

I put Votto at #3 because of his consistency, and the fact that he will have much more protection in the lineup. The Reds have added former Dodgers outfielders Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp to sure up the middle of the lineup.

Let’s go to my #2 first basemen who was able to make the playoffs for the first time since 2013….

(Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

2. Freddie Freeman (Atlanta Braves)

Freddie Freeman has anchored first base in Atlanta for nine seasons, going on ten, but had his best year yet propelling the Braves into the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

Freeman had batting average of .309, which was his third straight season with an average over 300. He managed to hit over 20 home runs and drive in nearly 100 runs.

Freeman is a three time All Star selection, winning a gold glove in 2018, and finishing in the top ten of MVP voting wince in the last six seasons.

Freeman is projected to hit 24 home runs in 2019, and nearly 80 runs batted in with a batting average of .294 in his tenth season with the Braves.

I put Freeman at two on my list because of his consistency and better numbers than Votto, and the fact that I like what the Braves have done this off season to give him more protection than he already has in the middle of the lineup.

The Braves have signed thrid basemen and former MVP Josh Donaldson and former Braves catcher Brian McCann.

Those two additons add to a great lineup of Ronald Acuna Jr., Nick Markakis and Ozzie Albies, so Freeman is in a great spot and should have another huge year.

1. Paul Goldschmidt (St. Louis Cardinals)

Paul Goldschmidt was able to hit 33 home runs last year, which is his second year of hitting more than 30 in addition to another over 30 double season.

More from Call to the Pen

Goldschmidt is a six time All Star, three time gold glove winner, and a four time silver slugger award winner along with finishing in the top six of the MVP voting four of the last six season in Arizona.

He recently got dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange pitcher Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly, and infielder Andy Young.

This is a great move for the Cardinals as they get an all star first basemen, which enables Matt Carpenter to move back to third base, and they can try to extend him before he hits free agency after the 2019 season.

Goldschmidt is projecting to hit 26 home runs with 84 RBI’s while most likely heading to his seventh All Star game in Cleveland.

He will be penciled into the middle of a lineup that includes Carpenter, shortstop Paul DeJong, left fielder Marcell Ozuna, and future hall of fame catcher Yadier Molina.

I have Goldschmidt ahead of Freeman and Votto because he has had power numbers his whole career and is going to a legitimate contender in St. Louis who will be competing for the division and if not the Central, then for one of the two Wild Card spots.

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Those are my top three first basemen, so let me know what you think, and check back tomorrow for my top three designated hitter list!

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