First Baseman Preview
The first baseman position has some of the best hitters in the game currently occupying it. The position is among the strongest in Major League Baseball, from former MVPs to potentially future Hall of Fame talents. Now, it will be narrowed down to the top 5 players at the position based on this past year’s performance and the previous seasons. Let’s begin.
Pete Alonso
Despite having a down season in 2023, the Polar Bear hit 46 home runs and finished the year with an OPS of 821. In his previous campaign, 2022, he hit 40 home runs and batting .271 with an OPS of 869. In addition, since joining the league in 2019, Alonso has been one of the most productive hitters in the game. He has never had a year with an OPS under 800 and has consistently been among the MLB’s top home run hitters. Very few players have a slugging percentage over 500 every single MLB season.
There is some improvement to be made with his defensive performance if he wants to go higher up the list and his strikeout rate. Furthermore, these areas are where Alonso must grow as a player. He has never had a season with a positive defensive WAR or one where he was not among the top strikeout leaders. Alonso could return to a more potent form next year and win an MVP in 2024.
Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper is the heart of the Phillies and their brand of baseball. Along with being the team leader, he is one of the best players in the game. Over the past three seasons, Harper boasts a resume of a two-time MVP and an OPS in the mid-900s. Despite Harper being a natural outfielder, he has made the transition to first base seem flawless. Albeit this is after just one season at the position. However, the right-field offensive numbers have carried over to first base. In addition to being a repulsive force, he has come up clutch in multiple situations for the Phillies. Despite missing a third of the season, Harper finished with a batting average of 293, 21 home runs, and a WAR of 3.7. It’s imposing for one of the game’s premium players.
Harper must adjust to the position, but the early signs look good. If Harper can learn the position in the offseason, he could become the game’s best first baseman.
Paul Goldschmidt
Paul Goldschmidt had an incredible 2022, where he won the NL MVP, and was looking to follow up into 2023. The Red Birds first baseman did have another solid season in 2023, but not quite MVP-worthy. In his age-35 season, he finished with a 268 batting average, 25 home runs, an OPS of 810, and a WAR of 3.4. Compared to his 2022, he hit 317 with 35 home runs, an OPS of 981, and a WAR of 7.8; it was a dip in performance, but still respectable numbers. He is still amongst the elite at the first base position because of his hall-of-fame track record. In the past three seasons alone, he has compiled a 17.2 WAR, amongst the game’s best.
Goldschmidt and teammate Nolan Arenado will have to pick up their play if the Cardinals have any chance of making a deep run in the playoffs for 2024.
Matt Olson
Ever since Matt Olson was traded to the Braves, he has become a premier talent. He has played every signal game over the past two seasons to go along with exceptional on-field performance. In 2023, Olson hit 54 home runs while batting 283 with a slugging percentage of 604. If that wasn’t enough, Olson had a WAR of 7.4 and a respectable defensive showing. He has prospered from playing with Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies over the past two years. This means fans may not have seen him hit his full potential as he enters his age-30 season. If Olson can repeat what he did in 2023 and 2024, the Braves will have a solid chance to win the World Series.
Freddie Freeman
The former MVP and future Hall of Famer had another great season in 2023. He posts a 6.5 WAR with a batting average 331 and 29 home runs. For a second consecutive season and the fourth time in his career, he also led the league in doubles with 57. Freeman has been either the second or best first baseman in baseball for almost a decade. He consistently hits for average drives in runners and stays healthy. Freeman has played nearly every game over the past seven seasons, barring one in 2017, where he was hurt. Few players are more productive than Freeman, and going into 2024, he could have another hall of famer season.
Main Photo Credits: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
