MLB's top 10 first basemen in 2020

1. Freddie Freeman, Braves

Freeman has steadily risen to the top of the crop at first base. Over the past two seasons, the 30-year-old Freeman has 40 more hits than any other first baseman (367), while also leading in average (.302), doubles (78), OPS (.914), runs scored (207) and RBIs (219). Freeman has twice finished in the top 10 in NL MVP voting, while picking up a Gold Glove in 2018 followed by a Silver Slugger Award last year. His 38 home runs, 121 RBIs and 113 runs scored all represented career bests in 2019, and he led the NL in times reaching base for the second consecutive  year. An elbow injury hampered him down the stretch last fall, keeping him from hitting .300 for the fourth consecutive season, but following offseason elbow surgery — in addition to the extra rest currently afforded league-wide — he should be in position to remain the backbone of the Braves lineup.

2. Anthony Rizzo, Cubs

Rizzo remains as steady as ever and has mastered hitting only in his zone and not giving at-bats away. His .405 on-base percentage was a career-best in 2019, and his .924 OPS was just shy of setting a new best as well. He failed to drive in 100 runs for the first time in five years, but made up for it with a four-year high in OPS+ and improved his runs scored by 15 from 2018. In the field, he picked up his third Gold Glove in the past four seasons. Rizzo, 30, remains a  cornerstone of the Cub franchise and is assured to be in Chicago through 2021. The Cubs have a number of tough contractual decisions to make in the near future, but locking in Rizzo beyond the guaranteed time left on contract reached potential boiling point early in the year.

3. Pete Alonso, Mets

Alonso put together one of the most dominant rookie seasons in history, connecting for 53 home runs, an MLB rookie record, and 15 more than any other first baseman in either league. His 120 RBIs were the fifth-most by a rookie ever and his 85 extra-base hits were three shy of Albert Pujols’ rookie record.

Add in his standout performance in the All-Star Home Run Derby and his penchant for epic in-game homers, and the ‘Polar Bear’ has set himself up as a superstar in short order.

4. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals

Goldschmidt took a step back from his elite levels of  production in his first year in St. Louis as uncustomary bouts with  inconsistency plagued him throughout the 2019 season. In the end, he  produced career-lows in batting average (.260), OPS (.821), hits (155),  walk rate (11.8 percent) and WAR (2.4). But despite these setbacks, he  still proved capable at times of being the type of hitter he has built  his reputation around. He raised his OPS to .886 following the All-Star  break and his overall totals of 34 home runs, 97 RBI and 97 runs scored  rank among the top five at the position in the NL. This season will be  pivotal for proving last season was an exception, or the start of a  pronounced decline. He signed a  five-year, $130 million extension with  the Cardinals last year.

5. MAX MUNCY, DODGERS 

While Muncy made more starts at second base (70) than first base (65) last season, and a few at third (35), the presence of top rookie Gavin Lux will see Muncu back at his natural position this season. Regardless of what position he is listed at, Muncy has mashed over the past two years, hitting 35 homers in each season. He made his All-Star debut in 2019 and his .927 OPS and 70 homers are second among all players who have at least 140 games played at first since 2018.

6. Matt Olson, Athletics

A missed month from a broken bone in his hand likely kept Olson from getting to some really crazy numbers in 2019. Despite the lost time, Olson hit 36 home runs and drove in 91 in just 127 games, while continuing to improve his other measurables. His batting average climbed 20 points to .267, while his OPS climbed over 100 points to .896. Meanwhile, he grabbed the second Gold Glove Award of his three-year career, seeing his defensive WAR climb from 0.6 to 1.3.

7. Josh Bell, Pirates

One the biggest breakouts of the past year came from Bell, who clubbed 37 home runs, 37 doubles, drove in 116 runs and sported the NL’s 10^th best OPS at .936. However, his season was a tale of two halves, with the second one being nearly as disappointing as the first was spectacular. Bell’s average dipped to .233 and he had only 81 total bases in 55 games. However, the upside remains substantial and how Bell adjusts to having very little protection around him on a daily basis will go a long way in how he develops from here.

8. Carlos Santana, Indians

In year 10, the ever-consistent Santana tacked on another impressive campaign to his resume. He saw career-highs in batting average (.281), runs scored (110) and RBIs (93), while tying his personal best with 34 home runs. Santana’s greatest weapon throughout his career has been his measured approach at the plate, a skill that served him well yet again. His .397 on-base percentage was a career-high and third-best in the American League. He broke even between walks and strikeouts, at 108 of each on the year.

9. Jose Abreu, White Sox

Entering his age 33 season in 2019, Abreu remained one of the game’s foremost run producers. He led the AL in RBIs with 123, the fifth time in his six MLB seasons he topped the century mark. He also remained in  the AL top three among first basemen in hits (180), doubles (38) and  runs scored (85).

10. Yuli Gurriel, Astros

Gurriel gets lost in the shuffle among his superstar teammates, but he is the most pivotal part of the depth in the Houston lineup. The 36-year-old has hit over .290 in all three of his full seasons and never struck out more than 65 times. In 2019, Gurriel set career-highs with 31 home runs and 104 RBIs, while his .884 OPS was more 130 points higher than in 2018.

Left on deck: Luke Voit (Yankees), Rhys Hoskins (Phillies), Joey Votto (Reds).

Top prospects: Andrew Vaughn (White Sox, No. 16), Evan White (Mariners, No. 56), Triston Casas (Red Sox, No. 77).