2026 MLB Power Rankings: The Top 10 First Basemen

We’ll start with Matt Olson, the Braves’ starting first baseman since 2022. Three years ago, Olson hit an NL-high 54 home runs for a deep Atlanta team. Since then, though, Olson has yet to return to 30.

Granted, Olson’s numbers over the last two seasons have not been bad. The 31-year-old hit 29 home runs in each of the last two seasons. He likely could have cracked 30 in 2025 had it not been for a slower-than-usual run before September. That month, Olson hit eight home runs and posted an OPS north of 1.000.

He’s a strong defender at first. Last season, he had a +9 Outs Above Average (OAA) at first.

9. Rafael Devers

It’s strange to put Rafael Devers on this list for the simple reason that he doesn’t have much experience at the position.

The 29-year-old only played 28 games at first last season, all of which came in San Francisco after he made it well-known that he would not play at the position in Boston last year. Devers posted a -1 OAA, which wasn’t above the league median. However, it was far better than at third base, where Devers routinely graded as a well-below-average defender.

Offensively, Devers performed just fine last year. Devers posted a .365 wOBA that ranked in the top 25 of the Majors last season. He hit well in San Francisco, as Devers blasted 20 home runs in 90 games with the Giants last season.

8. Vinnie Pasquantino

Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino was one of the three big slugging threats for Kansas City last season. And, Pasquantino had his best career season to date in 2025.

The 28-year-old set career-highs in home runs (32), extra-base hits (66), and RBI (113) last season. Pasquantino’s 131 wRC+ was in the top ten among first basemen, while his .340 wOBA ranked in the top 33% of the league among hitters with 350 or more plate appearances.

It’s a simple game for Pasquantino. Teams have difficulties getting fastballs by him, as Pasquantino posted a sub-10% swing-and-miss rate on fastballs. He also has no problems taking the ball to the pull side. However, Pasquantino’s defense (-7 OAA) is a weakness.

7. Josh Naylor

Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor may not have surpassed his 2024 home run total last season. Nonetheless, the 28-year-old had a major impact on both the Diamondbacks and the Mariners.

Naylor slashed .295/.353/.462 with 20 home runs and 50 extra-base hits, the latter of which was the second-most he had in a season. However, Naylor also took considerable advantage of opposing pitchers on the basepaths. He swiped a career-high 30 bases, 20 more than his previous career-best from 2023.

Despite his wildman-like approach at the plate, Naylor makes consistent contact. And, Naylor, who re-signed with the team in the winter, graded as an above-average defender over the last three years at first base.

6. Michael Busch

Last season was a banner one for Michael Busch, the 28-year-old who set multiple career-highs in his second season with the Cubs.

Busch slashed .261/.343/.523 with 34 home runs on the season, taking great advantage of all the protection that was around him in a deep Cubs lineup. His 144 wRC+ was third-best among first basemen, behind only Jonathan Aranda (153), who played only 91 games last season, and someone else on this list. Additionally, his .369 wOBA was in the top 20 of the entire league.

The Cubs protected Busch from lefties in 2024, and that treatment was given to him again last season. Busch only received 95 plate appearances against same-sided pitchers in 2025. And in those appearances, Busch slashed .207/.274/.368 (.642 OPS).

5. Bryce Harper

Is Bryce Harper still elite? That’s been a question uttered often in the Philadelphia media landscape since the team’s president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, questioned where Harper could produce as he did years ago.

The 2025 campaign wasn’t a bad one for Harper, who was still one of the most productive players at his position. Harper’s 130 wRC+ was good for the top ten among first basemen, while his .361 wOBA was 31st among all MLB players. Where Harper has come up short over the past few years is in the raw totals. Last year was the third time in four seasons that he was unable to hit 30 home runs.

It’s also worth noting that Harper wasn’t completely healthy last season. Wrist inflammation forced him onto the injured list in the summer.

4. Pete Alonso

Pete Alonso‘s last season with the Mets was an unforgettable one, to say the least.

Alonso, who signed with the Orioles in December, benefited from the added protection of Juan Soto. The 31-year-old had over 30 more plate appearances with runners in scoring position last season. And he did damage in those spots, as Alonso slashed .309/.401/.634 with 17 home runs. In total, Alonso cranked 38 total home runs.

It’s not necessary to go over some of the other advanced numbers. As far as first basemen go, very few can impact the game like Alonso. However, what will be points to watch are how well he hits into his 30s and how he plays at first. Alonso’s defense, both with the footwork and arm, were concerns with the Mets.

3. Freddie Freeman

Freddie Freeman won his third World Series title in 2025. And much like in 2021 and 2024, Freeman played a central role for his team.

Freeman hit two home runs and seven extra-base hits in the playoffs, one of those being the dagger in the Dodgers’ Game 3 marathon win over the Blue Jays. That capped off what was another typical season for the 36-year-old. He hit 24 home runs, marking the ninth straight year that Freeman hit at least 20 in a full, 162-game season.

However, there were some cracks. Namely, a significant jump in swing-and-miss, particularly on fastballs, and below-average defense (-6 OAA).

2. Nick Kurtz

What a rookie season it was for Nick Kurtz, the Athletics’ first baseman who was arguably the most productive player at his position last season.

The reigning AL Rookie of the Year finished last season with 31 home runs in the 2025 season, the highest wRC+ (164) among players at his position, and the highest wOBA (.419) among players at his position. The 22-year-old had an otherworldly second half, as Kurtz slashed .322/.429/.678 with 19 home runs after the All-Star break.

Kurtz does have his weaknesses. Namely, not-so-great range at first base (-6 OAA) and a high swing-and-miss rate. But given his prodigious power, it’s not out of the question that Kurtz could easily surpass his 2025 home run total in a full season. Remember, Kurtz started 2025 in the Minors.

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Last October was a perfect indication as to why the Blue Jays gave Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a massive extension last year.

Guerrero Jr. batted .397 (1.289 OPS) with eight home runs in the playoffs. Yes, one could knock that his numbers weren’t stellar with runners in scoring position, as he went 2-11 with seven walks. However, it’s impossible to ignore the impact that Guerrero Jr. has on the entire Blue Jays’ lineup.

The 26-year-old is one of the best in terms of contact, power, and plate discipline.