Top Free Agent First Basemen for 2026 Fantasy

2. Luis Arráez (LHB)

2025 Stats: 8 HR | 61 RBI | 66 R | 11 SB | .292 AVG | .821 OPS | .341 wOBA | 119 wRC+ | .288 BABIP

Age in 2026: 29

Skills: Position flexible (DH/1B/2B); elite contact to the entire field; league’s best eliminating Ks; career best SB in back-to-back seasons.

Risks: One-category specialist with no power.

Landing Spot Projections: Yankees, Diamondbacks, Mets, Angels, Rockies, Nationals, Guardians

Fantasy Impact and Draft Approach: 

Luis Arráez is the epitome of a category specialist. The three-time batting champion finished 2025 first in K%, Med%, and Oppo%, second in LD%, tied for second in H, and T-12th in AVG. This was statistically his “worst” year, though, and with his BABIP close to the league average of .300 it was the purest look at him with luck factor out.

It showed that Arráez’s fantasy value is a player who will make sure your AVG competes and likely wins each week, but won’t help much anywhere else. There is some maturity-based upside given his age that could help his RBI, R, and SB and raise his floor, but landing spot could be the true difference maker. A top-tier offense (Yankees, Mets) could get Arraez into borderline fantasy starter territory. For now, he’s a solid late-round pickup in your drafts who you can plug in at DH and 2B in addition to 1B to help ensure you’re covered at AVG.

3. Nathaniel Lowe (LHB)

2025 Stats: 18 HR | 64 RBI | 84 R | 1 SB | .228 AVG | .689 OPS | .301 wOBA | 91 wRC+ | .285 BABIP

Age in 2026: 30 (Turns 31 in July)

Skills: Solid counting stats contributor with left-handed pop.

Risks: Lineup context dependent; inflated career BABIP shows luck as major factor; potential start of age-based decline.

Landing Spot Projections: Padres, Marlins, Rockies, Nationals, Rays

Fantasy Impact, & Draft Approach: 

Lowe’s career is a poster child for one of our favorite mottos: Role and lineup context matters. In his best seasons with the Rangers in ‘22 and ‘23, he was surrounded by an insanely productive offense. That wasn’t the case in ‘24 or when he split time between Washington and Boston in ‘25 and his performance those years were just … fine.

What this means for Lowe in 2026 fantasy baseball is that whoever signs him will determine his value. He could be a late-round sleeper if he gets onto a powerhouse. Landing with the Padres or Rays makes him a last-round flyer given his floor. Same for the Nats if their young core takes the next step. If it’s the Marlins, Rockies, or similar, then don’t worry about him on draft day and check in every now and again on waivers.

4. Rhys Hoskins (RHB)

2025 Stats: 12 HR | 43 RBI | 30 R | 2 SB | .237 AVG | .748 OPS | .324 wOBA | 109 wRC+ | .297 BABIP

Age in 2026: 33

Skills: Position flexible (DH/1B); power bat with five 25+ HR, 70+ RBI seasons.

Risks: Injury risk (ACL in ‘23, Thumb in ‘25); age-based decline; playing time and role uncertainty.

Landing Spot Projections: Nationals, Red Sox, Padres, Diamondbacks, Marlins

Fantasy Impact, & Draft Approach: 

Injuries have been a killer for Rhys Hoskins the last three seasons as he missed all of 2023, had a mixed 2024 due to his ‘23 ACL tear, and missed enough time to lose his starting job in 2025. With his last standout campaign four years removed and his prime potentially behind him, Hoskins’ future is uncertain. He could land another full-time gig at first base, or end up stuck in a short-term starting stint or full on platoon.

This might start sounding like a broken record, but landing spot will tell a lot about Rhys Hoskins’ fantasy value. He has the talent and potential to return to four-category contributor status, but the team that signs him may not agree or give him the playing time. Until we get that role and team clarity, treat Hoskins as either a last-round flyer if you believe in his comeback upside or someone to monitor on waivers.

5. Paul Goldschmidt (RHB)

2025 Stats: 10 HR | 45 RBI | 76 R | 5 SB | .274 AVG | .731 OPS | .316 wOBA | 103 wRC+ | .325 BABIP

Age in 2026: 38

Skills: Strong contact hitter; excels against lefties.

Risks: Age; playing time; YoY HR and RBI decline since ‘22.

Landing Spot Projections: Diamondbacks, Cubs, Marlins

Fantasy Impact, & Draft Approach: 

Goldschmidt had a hot start in 2025 for the Yankees until Ben Rice took over. The former MVP still played plenty and contributed, but it wasn’t enough for fantasy. Excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Goldschmidt posted career worst or second-worst numbers in 2025 for HR, RBI, wOBA, wRC+, WAR, and several other stats. He’s limited his strikeouts and improved overall contact, but that doesn’t count much in fantasy when your other numbers are dropping from age-based decline as you operate as part of a platoon.

It pains us to say it, but Goldschmidt is not worth considering in fantasy for your draft or as a waiver pickup, barring something miraculous. Father time remains undefeated.

Why First Basemen Matter in Fantasy Baseball

While first base is technically a scarcity position, it’s also the most adaptable for good or decent defensive players. That means a lot of multi-position eligible players can take your first base slot, giving you more options at your fingertips than the other infield spots. Your first baseman should be a dependable rock for your fantasy roster, contributing some combination of 20+ HR, 80+ RBI, and 70+ R while providing a solid .270+ AVG foundation.

Getting this position right can set your team up for season-long success. But drafting on name alone without taking environment, injury, age, and role into account can lead to a major whiff.

Important Fantasy Stats & Context to Watch For 1B

HR, RBI, R, and AVG

First baseman should be treated rather similar to outfielders in what you should look for outside of steals: Someone who can give you HR and RBI support while scoring plenty of runs themselves and keeping a solid AVG. Sacrificing one of these for a boost at another is fine, just don’t overdo it. Specialists should only be taken if they can play other positions or you’re hurting in that category, which is why Arráez is usually drafted as a backup.

G, PA, and Role Context

First base’s strength can also be its weakness. Its versatility makes it easy for MLB managers to cut back on a struggling or aging player’s role by platooning. Said player can also be supplanted outright due to this or while injured. If that team’s OF and DH spots are crowded or spoken for, then there’s nowhere to go. That drop in games played and plate appearances can cripple counting stats and is a big reason why knowing landing spot and expected role is so important with free agents.

Final Thoughts for Fantasy Baseball 2026

Though most of the bigger names at the position are off the market, there are still players to watch among the remaining top 1B free agents. Bellinger seems locked-in to remain a starter in 2026 given his current suitors, but nothing’s guaranteed until he puts ink to paper. After him, each free agent first baseman’s true fantasy value for the upcoming season will depend on where they sign.

Use this list and analysis to know how to properly rank and adjust these players when preparing for your drafts. Monitor their signings, keep tabs on news about their roles, and be ready to swoop in if the fit is right or avoid a trap if not.

More on Free Agents and Offseason Moves

• Old Faces in New Places
• Top 5 Free Agents
• Top 5 Free Agent Catchers
• Top 5 Free Agent First Basemen
• Top 5 Free Agent Second Basemen
• Top 5 Free Agent Third Basemen
• Top 5 Free Agent Shortstops
• Top 5 Free Agent Outfielders
• Top 5 Free Agent Relief Pitchers
• Top 5 Free Agent Starting Pitchers
• Edwin Diaz signs with Dodgers
• Shane Baz to Orioles
• Pete Alonso to Orioles

People Also Ask

Who is the best free-agent first baseman for 2026 fantasy?
Cody Bellinger, for his positional flexibility as an OF/1B, offensive versatility, and power.

Is Cody Bellinger still unsigned?
Yes, but is drawing interest from big contenders, especially the Yankees.

Where might Luis Arráez sign?
With a team in need of balancing a power- or strikeout-heavy lineup with contact and discipline.

What is Nathanial Lowe's fantasy value in 2026?
Depends on his landing spot and ranges from late-round sleeper to possible waiver target.

Is the 1B free agent market thin?
Yes, Bellinger and Arráez are only sure-fire, rosterable players no matter their 2026 team.

When will these first basemen sign?
Likely January as the market resolves, but could drag as late as spring training.