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Every MLB Team's Starting First Baseman Ranked – All 30 Franchises. Every MLB Team's Starting First Baseman Ranked – All 30 Franchises August 2025 Update
Every MLB Team's Starting First Baseman Ranked – All 30 Franchises (August Update)
With the second half of the baseball season heating up, let’s take a step back and rank each MLB team’s starting first baseman. We will only look at their production this season and not take historical data into account? Who are the top first basemen in the MLB right now (August 2025)? Where did we go wrong? Let us know in the comments!
No. 30: Liam Hicks
Miami Marlins
The converted catcher has recently begun to see most of the opportunities at first base in Miami. Over his last 11 games, Hicks has been in a bit of a slump at the plate, holding a .158/.256/.158 line. Through 81 games this season, the rookie has shown a strong eye at the plate with a 16.2% K rate but has generated a weak .320 xwOBA.
No. 29: Curtis Mead
Chicago White Sox
With Miguel Vargas on the injured list, Curtis Mead has shifted to first base on the south side. In his first four games since returning to the major leagues, Mead has been quite productive, posting a .286/.412/.286 line with a 4:2 K:BB. He has swiped one bag as well. While his production has yet to increase in the majors, he flashed upside down at Triple-A this summer, holding a .908 OPS with three home runs.
No. 28: Tyler Locklear
Arizona Diamondbacks
With Josh Naylor moving to Seattle, the Diamondbacks wasted little time promoting the headliner prospect in the return, Tyler Locklear. Locklear was one of the most productive first basemen at Triple-A this season and was finally rewarded with a full-time role in the major leagues. Since taking over Naylor’s former position, Locklear has gone just 4-for-27. Despite this rough start, he has shown an elite eye at the plate, drawing walks at a 15.2% rate.
No. 27: Warming Bernabel
Colorado Rockies
While Warming Bernabel began his tenure in Colorado covering the hot corner, with the recent promotion of Kyle Karros, Bernabel has shifted to first base. The 23-year-old utility caught attention as he launched three home runs and added two doubles over his first six games in the majors. Since this impressive start, he has cooled off a bit, holding a .607 OPS over his last seven games.
No. 26: Kody Clemens
Minnesota Twins
The utility infielder has bounced around the Minnesota infield throughout the summer, but with Luke Keaschall back in the majors, he has returned to first base. Through 72 games this season, Clemens is on pace to enjoy a career season, carrying a .777 OPS with a .225/.298/.479 line. He has launched 13 home runs and added three triples, which is the 11th-highest total in the American League.
No. 25: Romy Gonzalez
Boston Red Sox
While Kristian Campbell could eventually become the team’s starting first baseman by the end of the season, for now Romy Gonzalez has seen the slight majority of opportunities over Abraham Toro. Gonzalez is on pace to enjoy a career year as he holds a .302/.341/.557 line with eight home runs and four stolen bases. The Minnesota Product has generated a promising .377 xwOBA and a .293 xBA, which suggests he should remain a strong contributor in the Boston lineup going forward.
No. 24: Coby Mayo
Baltimore Orioles
With Ryan O’Hearn now in San Diego, Coby Mayo and Ryan Mountcastle should figure to rotate opportunities at first base during the final months of the season. While the Orioles have had a very disappointing season, former top prospect Coby Mayo is starting to show signs of life, which is a very promising sign. Over his last six games, Mayo has held a .294 AVG with an .863 OPS. Through 196 career games at Triple-A, Mayo has held an .885 OPS.
No. 23: Christian Walker
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros expected much higher results from the free agent acquisition of Christian Walker. However, after a rough start, the former Diamondback has begun to show signs of life. Over his last 21 games (since July 19), Walker has posted a strong .291/.380/.532 line with seven doubles and four home runs. However, over his first 91 games, Walker posted a low .653 OPS with just 12 home runs.
No. 22: Nathaniel Lowe
Washington Nationals
The 30-year-old enjoyed a strong start to the season but has continued to struggle throughout the second half. Since the All-Star break, Lowe has held a .152/.235/.227 line with a low .480 OPS. During this stretch, Lowe has hit just one home run and tallied two doubles (across 75 PAs). His underlying .306 xwOBA suggests he will likely see these struggles continue during the final weeks of the season.
No. 21: Spencer Horwitz
Pittsburgh Pirates
If Spencer Horwitz did not miss time during the first half of the season with a wrist injury, he would have likely found himself much higher on this list. However, his recent play has provided him a significant jump on these rankings and he will likely find himself in the higher on this list in the coming weeks. Since July 20 (last 20 games), Horwitz hasp osted an impressive .361/.425/.556 line with a .981 OPS, 12 runs, and 17 RBI.
No. 20: Carlos Santana
Cleveland Guardians
With Josh Naylor moving to Seattle (more on him later), Carlos Santana will represent the Cleveland Guardians on this list. Through 108 games in his return to Clevleand this summer, the veteran has held a mdoest .229/.319/.340 line. However, despite his modest showing in the batter’s box, he has drawn walks at an elite rate (11.3% rate) and is graded as a top defender, placing in the 95th percentile in Range on Baseball Savant.
No. 19: Ben Rice
New York Yankees
While Paul Goldschmidt opened the season as the team’s primary first baseman, Ben Rice has begun to carve out a more prominent role and will take the spot on the list. In his last 10 games, Rice has held a solid .267/.343/.433 line with two doubles, one home run, and a 3:4 K:BB. However, if he continues to see ample at-bats, he could enjoy a strong finish to the season as suggested by his borderline elite .403 xwOBA and .557 xSLG.
No. 18: Spencer Steer
Cincinnati Reds
Spencer Steer has yet to recapture his 2023 production, where he held a .271 AVG with 23 home runs and 15 stolen bases. However, in relation to his production last season, Steer has begun to find his footing this summer slowly. Through 109 games, Steer has held a .241 AVG (a solid jump from the .225 AVG he held in 2024) with a .702 OPS. The Oregon product has gone deep 14 times and swiped six bags. In his last 10 games, he has begun to find his power swing, hitting three home runs.
No. 17: Josh Smith
Texas Rangers
After being deployed in a utility role throughout the first three seasons of his career, Josh Smith has enjoyed a breakout season in 2025. Through 106 games this summer, Smith is on pace to smash his previous career highs, posting a .262/.339/.396 line with a .735 OPS. He has launched nine home runs and swiped nine bags. While he has hit a bit of a slump since the Mid-summer classic, Smith should remain an everyday contributor in the Texas starting nine.
No. 16: Andrew Vaughn
Milwaukee Brewers
Sometimes a change of scenery can make all the difference. Since joining the Milwaukee Brewers, Andrew Vaughn has finally looked like a former third overall pick. Through 25 games with the Brew-Crew, the former White Sox has posted a .348/.412/.629 line with a 1.041 OPS. He has launched seven home runs over this stretch and tallied 28 RBI. His impressive .350 xwOBA suggests he should continue to remain a key contributor for the Brewers in October.
No. 15: Rafael Devers
San Francisco Giants
After not wanting to play first base in Boston, Devers has had a change of tune with his new club in San Francisco. So far he has only played nine games at first base, and he seems to be covering the position quite well. Over his last nine contests, Devers has also begun to find his ffotiing ag the plate, posting a .281/.439/.594 line with three home runs. Over his previous 36 games, he held a low .212 AVG and a .681 OPS.
No. 14: Vinnie Pasquantino
Vinnie Pasquantino enjoyed a strong first half, posting a .272/.329/.437 line with a .669 OPS. During this stretch, Pasquantino tallied 14 doubles and launched 15 home runs. However, after the All-Star Game, Pasquantino has been in a cold stretch at the plate. Over his last 91 PAs, the 27-year-old has carried a .190/.286/.430 line. Despite his drop in production, he has continued to show a strong eye, holding an 11:10 K:BB.
No. 13: Yandy Diaz
Tampa Bay Rays
If Jonathan Aranda were healthy, he would have the Rays much higher on this list. However, Yandy Diaz has still enjoyed a productive season and deserves a spot on the top half. Through 112 games, the 34-year-old has contoneud to flash high quality of contact skills, posting a .277/.340/.462 line with 20 home runs. He has generated an impressive .359 xwOBA, .289 xBA, and a 52.1% hard-hit rate, which are all within the 82nd percentile among qualified hitters.
No. 12: Nolan Schanuel
Los Angeles Angels
The 23-year-old has quietly been enjoying a career year in Los Angeles. In his third MLB season, Nolan Schanuel has posted a .272/..358/.396 lien with a .754 OPS. His OBP is the 12th-highest mark in the entire American League. While he has produced a solid .271 xBA, his most profound skills are shown in his eye, as he has struck out at a low 12.2% rate (92nd percentile) and drawn walks at a solid 10.4% rate (74th percentile).
No. 11: Willson Contreras
St. Louis Cardinals
After a slow first half, Willson Contreras has begun to turn the corner in a big way. Since the All-Star break, the former catcher has posted a strong .270/.360/.527 line with an .887 OPS. During this stretch, he has hit four home runs and held a 22:8 K:BB. Under the hood, he has generated an elite .381 xwOBA (90th percentile) and a .529 xSLG (92nd percentile), suggesting he should remain an elite offensive producer over the final months.
No. 10: Spencer Torkelson
Detroit Tigers
Spencer Torkelson had a rough 2024 season but has been able to bounce back in a big way this season. Through 116 games, Torkelson has held a .244/.332/.448 line with 26 home runs and two stolen bases. This is a substnatial jump compated to the mere 10 home runs and low .219 AVG he held during the 2024 campaign. He has enjoyed a strong start to August as well, posting an .851 OPS with three home runs.
No. 9: Ryan O'Hearn
San Diego Padres
One of the recent trade acquisitions will take the next spot on our list. The Padres acquired both Ryan O’Hearn and outfielder Ramon Laureano from the Baltimore Orioles. O’Hearn was one of the few bright spots on a struggling Orioles team through the first half. O’Hearn has posted a strong .273/.371/.450 line with an .821 OPS, which is on pace to be the highest mark of his career. His elite .367 xwOBA suggests he could have a major impact in October.
No. 8: Josh Naylor
Seattle Mariners
The other big first baseman that was moved at the deadline was Josh Naylor. Naylor was already enjoying a strong start to the campaign in Arizona and had picked up right where he left off since moving to the Northwest. Through his first 15 games with the Mariners, Naylor has posted a strong .288/.362/.577 line with three doubles, four home runs, and an impressive 11 stolen bases.
No. 7: Freddie Freeman
Los Angeles Dodgers
Freddie Freeman had a nextended slump in June and July, which has limited his upside throughout most of the season. However, since the start of August, Freeman has looked like his typical self and finds himself just outside the top-5 on the left. Since the start of the month, Freeman has held a .361/.419/.476 line. His .358 xwOBA suggests he should remain one of the top offensive producers at the position during the final stretch.
No. 6: Michael Busch
Chicago Cubs
Michael Busch would have continued to sit comfortably in the top-5 if it wasn’t for his disastrous start to the month. Since August 1, Busch has been one of the worst hitters at the position, going just 4-for-30 with just two extra-base hits. Since the All-Star break, Busch has held a .520 OPS. However, his impressive start in the first half (.290/.375/.550/.923 OPS) will keep him near the top of the list. Under the hood, he boasts a .550 xSLG (95th percentile) which suggests he should be in a good spot to bounce back.
No. 5 Matt Olson
Atlanta Braves
Matt Olson has had a bit of a down year to his standards but has remained a top offensive producer at the position. While he has only hit 19 home runs this summer, Olson carries a .262/.361/.451 line with an .814 OPS, which are all higher than his marks last season. In addition, he has begun to show a bit of a surge as of late, posting a .273 AVG with one long ball over his last 11 games.
No. 4: Bryce Harper
Philadelphia Phillies
The 32-year-old missed some time due to an injury, but has been an elite hitter when on the field. Through 90 games, the former first overall pick has posted a .260/.361/.490 line with an .851 OPS. He has gone deep 17 times and swiped 10 bags. He currently sits in the 90th percentile in xwOBA, 82nd in xBA, and 88th in xSLG. He has also shown an impressive eye at the plate, drawing walks at a stellar 12.6% rate and only striking out at a 21.2% rate.
No. 3: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Toronto Blue Jays
While Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has not been as dominant as he was in 2024, the former top prospect has continued to produce as one of the best hitters in the major leagues. Through 117 games, Guerrero has posted a .296/.396/.488 line with 19 home runs and five stolen bases. However, do not be surprised if Guerro plays at an MVP-level down the stretch to lead Toronto to the playoffs as suggested by his remarkable .414 xwOBA (98th percentile) and .323 xBA (100th percentile).
No. 2: Nick Kurtz
Athletcs
The fourth overall pick in last year’s draft has been nothing short of spectacular since making his MLB debut. After a somewhat slow start, Kurtz quickly emerged as the game’s next superstar. Over his last 51 games (since June 10), the Wake Forest product has posted a remarkable .340/.427/.728 line with 18 doubles and 18 home runs.
No. 1: Pete Alonso
New York Mets
Without a doubt, the Polar Bear will take the top spot on this list. Even after a modest showing in July where he posted a low .141 AVG and a .548 OPS, Alonso has proven that this skid was nothing more than a small fluke. Since August 1, Alonso has returned to form in a big way, posting a .314/.333/.743 line with four home runs (in 39 PAs). Alonso has the second-most doubles and RBI in the NL and the seventh-most home runs. He also sits in the 97th percentile or higher in xwOBA, xSLG, barrel rate, and hard-hit rate.
