Between Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Pete Alonso, Matt Olson, and others, there are a lot of prolific hitters at the first base position in the Majors. But, which players are trending at or near the top heading into 2024? Here’s a look at our picks of the best first basemen in MLB as 2024 nears.
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5. Paul Goldschmidt
There’s a strong case to be made for the likes of Nathaniel Lowe and Christian Walker, the latter of whom blossomed into a star after the Paul Goldschmidt trade. Walker’s rise has taken the sting out of the deal, as Goldschmidt’s been one of the league’s best hitters since 2019. More recently, Goldschmidt owns the third-best OPS (.893) among first basemen over the past two years and he also ranks in the top five in hits (337) and home runs (60).
The 2023 campaign was a down one for Goldschmidt, who posted just a .810 OPS over 687 plate appearances. Still, the 36-year-old remains a terrific hitter.
4. Bryce Harper
Phillies star Bryce Harper underwent Tommy John surgery last winter but it only took five months for him to return to Philadelphia’s lineup. Harper initially returned as a DH. However, the Phillies had a hole at first after Rhys Hoskins tore his left ACL and Harper — an outfielder for all of his MLB career — took to the position. It proved to be a hit, as Harper was sharp at the position throughout 2023. And as usual, Harper did his thing at the plate (.900 OPS, 21 HR in 126 G).
The Phillies confirmed in the winter that Harper would be the team’s regular first baseman full-time in 2024. Even though Harper’s played at the position for less than a full season, he’s already turned into one of the game’s most prolific at the position.
3. Pete Alonso
Just four players and one other first baseman in the Majors have hit more home runs over the last three seasons than Pete Alonso (123). Alonso has arguably the best power tool among first basemen, a main reason why’s in the top three among first basemen in home runs (86), RBI (249), and total bases (595) over the last two years.
The 2024 campaign is a big one, as Alonso is set to hit the free agent market unless he signs an extension. Should he hit the market, it’ll be hard to find a player who has comparable power to “Polar Bear Pete.”
2. Matt Olson
The 2023 campaign was a dominant one for Matt Olson, who finished last year with an All-Star nod, an NL Silver Slugger, and a fourth-place finish for the NL MVP. It was a career year for Olson, as he led the Majors in home runs (54) and RBI (139) last year and all National League players in slugging percentage (.604).
Olson generates a ton of bat speed and his plus pop makes him a nightmare for opposing pitchers. And, he’s far from the only threat in the Braves lineup.
1. Freddie Freeman
The top spot on our list of the best MLB first basemen in 2024 is Freddie Freeman, who finished third in the NL MVP voting a year ago. It was a typical year for Freeman, as he posted an OPS above .900 for the fourth time in five years in 2023, belted 29 home runs & an MLB-high 59 doubles, and drove in 102 for the Dodgers.
Over the last two years ago, no first baseman has a higher OPS (.948) than Freeman. Freeman’s power, plus hit tool, and ability to get on base gives him a slight edge over the man who took over first from him in Atlanta two years ago.