Ranking the Top 5 First Basemen for the 2025 MLB Season
SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball
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1. Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
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2024 Stats: 145 G, .285/.373/.525, 42 2B, 30 HR, 87 RBI, 7–11 SB, 12.0% BB%, 145 wRC+, 5.2 fWAR
Topping the list is the ever-dominant Bryce Harper, whose two MVPs and steady offensive excellence give him a slight edge over his peers. Since 2017, Harper has posted a wRC+ above 120 every single year. In 2024, free of lingering injuries, he returned to a 30-homer threat, compiled an .898 OPS, and finished with 5.2 fWAR. An exceptional blend of plate discipline, power, and big-game prowess, Harper stands out as the safest bet for elite production—and that’s why he’s our No. 1 first baseman entering 2025.
5. Pete Alonso (Free Agent)
Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis and insights for this slideshow article.
2024 Stats: 162 G, .240/.329/.459, 31 2B, 34 HR, 88 RBI, 10.1% BB%, 122 wRC+, 2.1 fWAR
Bursting onto the scene in 2019 with 53 homers and 120 RBIs, Pete Alonso has maintained an OPS above .780 and a wRC+ over 120 in each of his six seasons. The 30-year-old battled through what some considered a “down year” in 2024, yet still tallied 34 home runs and boosted his average by 23 points. Impressively, Alonso was one of only four major leaguers—and the only first baseman alongside Matt Olson—to play all 162 games in 2024. Entering free agency, he remains a dependable power source any team would love to anchor its lineup.
4. Matt Olson (Atlanta Braves)
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2024 Stats: 162 G, .247/.333/.457, 37 2B, 29 HR, 98 RBI, 10.4% BB%, 117 wRC+, 2.6 fWAR
Just like Alonso, Matt Olson finished the season having played every single game—making it three straight full campaigns for the 30-year-old. Coming off a monstrous 2023 (54 HR, 139 RBI, 161 wRC+), Olson endured a sluggish first half in 2024 that brought his overall numbers down. However, a second-half surge (144 wRC+, .896 OPS) underscored the consistent run-producer he’s been over the years. With four consecutive seasons surpassing 90 RBIs and a wRC+ of at least 115, Olson heads into 2025 poised for another big performance.
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3. Freddie Freeman (Los Angeles Dodgers)
2024 Stats: 147 G, .282/.378/.476, 35 2B, 22 HR, 89 RBI, 9–11 SB, 12.2% BB%, 15.7% K%, 137 wRC+, 4.0 fWAR
One of the most consistent hitters of his generation, Freddie Freeman continues to be an on-base machine with dependable power and elite plate discipline. Since 2013, he’s never posted a wRC+ lower than 130 or an OPS under .840. While his 2024 campaign fell short of his sky-high 2022–23 marks, Freeman still put up strong numbers (.282 AVG, .854 OPS) and added another World Series MVP trophy to his résumé. Even at 35, expect Freeman to remain a premier force at first base for another season.
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
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2024 Stats: 159 G, .323/.396/.544, 44 2B, 30 HR, 103 RBI, 10.3% BB%, 13.8% K%, 165 wRC+, 5.5 fWAR
After two seasons of moderate regression following his MVP runner-up finish in 2021, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reasserted himself as one of baseball’s most formidable sluggers in 2024. He led all first basemen in fWAR, wRC+, OPS, and several other key metrics—powering 30 homers with a .323 average and a lofty 165 wRC+. Having now shown two elite-level seasons and two solid-but-not-spectacular campaigns, the big question is whether Guerrero’s 2024 production will become his new norm. Either way, he’s positioned for a major payday from Toronto or elsewhere if he continues to rake.
1. Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
For all your MLB deep dives check out our friends at Just Baseball.
2024 Stats: 145 G, .285/.373/.525, 42 2B, 30 HR, 87 RBI, 7–11 SB, 12.0% BB%, 145 wRC+, 5.2 fWAR
Topping the list is the ever-dominant Bryce Harper, whose two MVPs and steady offensive excellence give him a slight edge over his peers. Since 2017, Harper has posted a wRC+ above 120 every single year. In 2024, free of lingering injuries, he returned to a 30-homer threat, compiled an .898 OPS, and finished with 5.2 fWAR. An exceptional blend of plate discipline, power, and big-game prowess, Harper stands out as the safest bet for elite production—and that’s why he’s our No. 1 first baseman entering 2025.
5. Pete Alonso (Free Agent)
Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis and insights for this slideshow article.
2024 Stats: 162 G, .240/.329/.459, 31 2B, 34 HR, 88 RBI, 10.1% BB%, 122 wRC+, 2.1 fWAR
Bursting onto the scene in 2019 with 53 homers and 120 RBIs, Pete Alonso has maintained an OPS above .780 and a wRC+ over 120 in each of his six seasons. The 30-year-old battled through what some considered a “down year” in 2024, yet still tallied 34 home runs and boosted his average by 23 points. Impressively, Alonso was one of only four major leaguers—and the only first baseman alongside Matt Olson—to play all 162 games in 2024. Entering free agency, he remains a dependable power source any team would love to anchor its lineup.
