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Top 10 MLB first basemen for 2017
Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo gets ready to take batting practice during spring training camp at Sloan Park on Mesa, AZ on February 14, 2017. Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Top 10 MLB first basemen for 2017

There are few positions that are both more fun – while simultaneously difficult – to breakdown than first base. It is annually the home many of the most impressive hitters in the game, and limiting that assessment to simply a top 10 ensures there will be some impact players left on the outside.

But is also guarantees an all-out fight to make it to the top. This year’s list is a collection of former MVPs, a Triple Crown winner, a gathering of World Series heroes and a few up-and-coming stars as well. All in all, there are 35 All-Star appearances on this list and over 260 home runs connected for last season alone.

Have at it.

10. Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers


Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez connects on a solo home run in the seventh inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium on August 7, 2016. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Although he is approaching his 35th birthday this summer, the consistency of Gonzalez remains something to behold. He has driven in at least 90 runs every season for the last decade, and connected for both his 400th double and 300th home run last year. The veteran played his best baseball last summer when the Dodgers made their move to take over the NL West, as he hit .315 and .330 in July and August, respectively, while driving in 40 runs over the time span as well. In Dodger victories last year, Gonzalez hit .333, which was nearly in lockstep with rookie phenom Corey Seager, who finished third in NL MVP voting last year for LA.

9. Eric Hosmer, Kansas City Royals 


Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer celebrates after hitting a one run single in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium on September 19, 2016. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Hosmer made his All-Star debut last year, in large part to his continued expansion as a heart of the lineup bat. Hosmer converted some of his doubles power into balls that cleared the fences, as he turned in a career-high 25 homers. In addition, he continued to be a reliable presence for the Royals, playing in 158 games. He saw his Gold Glove streak ended at three consecutive seasons, but ‘Hos’ continues to round into one of the best all-around players at the position in the game.

8. Brandon Belt, San Francisco Giants


San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 1, 2016. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Belt made his All-Star debut last season and it was one of the biggest "it's about time" moments of the year. The Giants first baseman has long been one of the steadiest, most well-rounded contributors in the National League, and a quintessential Giant. He does a little of everything, and does it well. He is coming off a 2016 in which he set personal bests in RBI (82), doubles (41), OPS (.868) and walks (104). He also remains one of the best defenders at the position in the game, has he registered nine defensive runs saved as well.

7. Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals


St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park on June 10, 2016. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Another year, another spot around the infield for the Cardinals’ jack of all trades. After opening 2015 at second base and last year at third, Carpenter will remain at first base for Mike Matheny this season after filling due to necessity there late in the season. Carpenter will also move out of the leadoff spot that he has made his name at this year, where he could be in line to drive in more runs than ever in his career. Despite missing over a month with an oblique injury, Carpenter tied his career high in slugging % at .505 and topped 20 home runs, 30 doubles and scored 81 runs.

6. Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox 


Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu is congratulated by teammates after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers in the fourth inning at Comerica Park. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

After getting off to slow start, in which he hit only .241 through the first two months of the year, Abreu kicked it into gear in a major way by mid-summer. The peak of which was August, when he hit .362, Abreu drove in 100 runs yet again, a mark that he has reached each year of his career. Overall, the 2014 AL Rookie of the Year has produced at least a .290 batting average, with 30 doubles, 25 home runs, 100 RBI and an .800+ OPS in every year of his career.

5. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers 


Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on September 18, 2016.The Tigers won 9-5. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The hits parade continues to build for Miggy. A year after winning his fourth AL batting title despite battling a series of nagging injuries, Cabrera got back to his usual impressive spread of statistical dominance last year. He finished in the top 10 of Triple Crown categories, and in the top three of slugging % (.563) and OPS (.956). He took home his seventh career Silver Slugger award and was still the most frequently avoided batter in the American League, as he received 15 intentional walks.

4. Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves 


Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman rounds first on a double against the Miami Marlins in the sixth inning at Turner Field on September 12, 2016. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Freeman comes into this year as the biggest breakout performer of last summer. Despite being placed at the core of a team that was stripping itself down in a rapid fashion, Freeman continued to hit at an undeniable pace. When all was said and done, Freeman turned in a 2016 resume that included concurrent 30-game hitting and 46-game on-base streaks. He raked in an incredible 83 extra base hits along the way, tops in the National League. And now with the Atlanta resurrection firmly underway, the Braves cornerstone could be in line to make an MVP run with a few more victories attached to it as well.

3. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds 


Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto high-fives in the dugout after scoring a run on a bases loaded walk against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park on September 10, 2016. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

There is something about getting past the All-Star break that lights a switch in Votto like no other player in the game. For the second straight year, he went absolutely nuclear in the latter half of the season, hitting .408 from July through October. This dwarfed his 2015 performance, which saw him hit .362 in the second half and finish third in the MVP race. Votto finished third in the NL batting race at .326, while leading the NL in on-base percentage for the fifth time in the last seven years.

2. Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks 


Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt against the New York Mets at Chase Field on August 15, 2016. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

An member of the last four NL All-Star teams, a two-time runner up in the NL MVP race and twice a dual winner of the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger at first base, Goldschmidt is one of the most dangerous all-around players in the game. He scored 100 runs for the third time in the last four years last year, while driving in another 95. Add in the fact that, despite being one of the most powerful hitters in the game, that Goldy stole an incredible 32 bases (especially for a 6’3, 225 pounder), he alone is solely a reason why the Diamondbacks could be one of the biggest bounce back candidates in the game this year.

1. Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs 


Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo hits a two-run home run against the Cleveland Indians in the 9th inning in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

If there was an award for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ in baseball, Rizzo would unquestionably run away with it. Although he shares the infield with National League MVP Kris Bryant, Rizzo is arguably the most important player Joe Maddon has at his disposal. He is often deployed behind Bryant on the lineup card, thus assuring that Bryant cannot be avoided due to the dangers of dealing with Rizzo immediately after. That threat was manifested in yet another career year for Rizzo, which included career-highs in nearly every statistical category, which brought him his third All-Star appearance, first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards and, of course, a World Series ring. And it should come as no surprise if he matches Bryant with an MVP nod of his own this year. 

Just a bit outside: Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles. Wil Myers, San Diego Padres. Ian Desmond, Colorado Rockies.

Up & Comer: Greg Bird, New York Yankees. With Mark Teixeira moving into retirement, the path is clear for the 24-year-old Bird to pick up where he left off at two years ago. He made a big debut in 2015, hitting 11 home runs in 46 games in the Bronx and was primed to be a breakout star last season. However, a torn labrum ended his year before it started. However, with him set to be back and to join the other breakout Yankee stars in Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge, Bird could be the final piece needed to pull the formerly ‘Evil Empire’ back to the top of the AL East.

More must-reads:

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