First base is in a peculiar spot for fantasy baseball managers going into the 2025 MLB season. Usually an easy, reliable source of offseason production, it's become unprecedentedly top-heavy over the last few seasons. Once the notable stars (Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bryce Harper, Freddie Freeman, etc.) are drafted, managers can feel like they're grasping at straws.
Though no longer the titan of fantasy baseball, first base could still have much to offer your fantasy team if you look in the right places. A closer look at the position reveals many players capable of enjoying a breakout 2025 campaign.
This will cover those potential breakout first basemen. For more fantasy baseball content, be sure to check out RotoBaller's expansive library of fantasy advice and get a leg up on the competition.
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Tyler Soderstrom, Athletics
2024 MLB Stats (213 PA): .233/.315/.429 (114 wRC+), 10 2B, 9 HR, 26 RBI, 20:53 BB/SO
2025 Steamer Projections (535 PA): .233/.300/.446 (113 wRC+), 21 2B, 26 HR, 73 RBI, 42:141 BB/SO
Currently the No. 26 overall first baseman and No. 294 overall player in fantasy baseball (per NFBC ADP), Soderstrom is coming off a solid sophomore effort with the Athletics.
Sidelined for most of the second half with a wrist injury, the former first-rounder ended the year on a high note, going 12-for-47 with six extra-base hits and a noteworthy .852 OPS upon his activation from the injured list.
Looking ahead to 2025, Soderstrom's batted-ball data supports the possibility of a breakout. Last season, the young lefty posted a .348 xwOBA, .437 xwOBAcon, .480 xSLG, 91.9 mph average exit velocity, 14.6 percent barrel rate, 74.4 mph average bat speed, and 9.4 percent walk rate. Numbers like these support the notion that Soderstrom boasts impressive power and above-average plate discipline.
Perhaps the most exciting part of Soderstrom's 2025 outlook is that he will no longer play his home games at the Oakland Coliseum, wherein he posted an abysmal .524 OPS over 165 career plate appearances.
With the Athletics' move to Sutter Health Park (widely considered a hitter-friendly venue), Soderstrom is poised to see a boost in production. Currently ranked outside the consensus top 30 for first basemen (No. 296 overall RotoBaller rank), Soderstrom could make a big splash in 2025.
Tyler Soderstrom - Oakland Athletics (2)
pic.twitter.com/mWzAfF19Hc— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) June 11, 2024
Kyle Manzardo, Cleveland Guardians
2024 MLB Stats (156 PA): .234/.282/.429 (98 wRC+), 12 2B, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 9:41 BB/SO
2025 Steamer Projections (448 PA): .240/.327/.440 (110 wRC+), 22 2B, 18 HR, 54 RBI, 48:99 BB/SO
After just 156 MLB plate appearances, Manzardo seems to have lost all of the hype surrounding him during his ascension through the minor leagues. But with such a small sample size at the big league level, Manzardo shouldn't be overlooked, especially with Josh Naylor having been traded to Arizona.
Since being drafted out of Washington State in the 2021 draft, Manzardo has shown impressive offensive capabilities at the professional level. In 286 career minor league games, he slashed .279/.388/.544 with 78 doubles, 61 home runs, and a 179:218 BB/SO.
Now, should we expect a .932 OPS from Manzardo in the majors? Probably not. But we should expect more than what we saw in 2024. Currently ranked the No. 37 first baseman at RotoBaller (No. 364 NFBC ADP), Manzardo is worth a flyer in the later rounds of your draft and could be a worthwhile corner-infield option.
Kyle Manzardo destroys a go-ahead homer in the 8th 😤 pic.twitter.com/ii4XUElIPd
— MLB (@MLB) September 17, 2024
Deyvison De Los Santos, Miami Marlins
2024 Triple-A Stats (421 PA): .264/.311/.523, 21 2B, 26 HR, 15 RBI, 22:108 BB/SO
2025 Steamer Projections (385 PA): .248/.291/.435 (96 wRC+), 16 2B, 16 HR, 48 RBI, 19:100 BB/SO
After leading the minor leagues with 40 home runs in 2024, De Los Santos was MLB's First Base Prospect of the Year. Swapped to the Marlins at last year's trade deadline, they secured a powerful bat to help fortify their corner infield.
With a thunderous right-handed swing, De Los Santos could establish himself as Miami's next great slugger. On the other hand, his production could be limited by a severe lack of plate discipline. Simply put, he projects to both swing big and miss big.
Likely to crush fastballs while looking silly at offspeed and breaking pitches, De Los Santos could still provide solid value in 2025 (especially if his plate discipline improves). Overall, with an early NFBCADP over 400, he is among the more fun late-round options.
Deyvison De Los Santos on the move to MIA for Puk.
Leads AAA in 90th percentile exit velocity at 109 mph. Has a ridiculous .644 xwOBAcon vs 4-seamers pic.twitter.com/mcerDZ1VBs
— Jacob (@JacobE_STL) July 26, 2024
Nolan Schanuel, Los Angeles Angels
2024 MLB Stats (156 PA): .250/.343/.362 (104 wRC+), 19 2B, 13 HR, 54 RBI, 68:103 BB/SO
2025 Steamer Projections (448 PA): .258/.355/.401 (110 wRC+), 22 2B, 16 HR, 63 RBI, 70:98 BB/SO
Having just turned 23, Schanuel is another youngster who seems to have lost any hype. His notoriety has taken a backseat to fellow Angels like Zach Neto and Logan O'Hoppe, mainly because of a lack of power. While Schanuel may not be flashy, he has both a relatively high floor and room to raise his ceiling.
After a rough start to the 2024 season, Schanuel picked things up in the second half (.270/.362/.373, 8 2B, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 32:44 BB/SO in 59 games). He has put up impressive numbers at the big-league level for someone so young.
With a sense of plate discipline beyond his years, Schanuel could improve in the power department with age.
Will he ever be a star? Probably not. But Schanuel looks to be an above-average, steady, dependable hitter for years to come. All things considered, he could make a big jump in 2025.
NOLAN SCHANUEL TWO BAGGER 💥@Angels | #RepTheHalo pic.twitter.com/0xVtztynrb
— FanDuel Sports Network West (@FanDuelSN_West) September 18, 2024
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