Top 10 First Base Prospect Rankings for Fantasy Baseball (2024)

January 29, 2024

Eric discusses hit top 10 first base prospects for fantasy baseball and how they project offensively long-term along with some names to buy or sell at this position in dynasty leagues.

The first base position in the prospect world is always changing and many names wind up shifting over to first base after starting at other positions. That's exactly the case once again as many of the top-10 shifted to first base from other positions or split time at multiple positions during the 2023 season.

For 2024, this position isn't exactly loaded persay, but there are still plenty of intriguing names for dynasty leagues, including plenty of buy low targets.

For my entire Top 50 and additional writeups, check out my Patreon. And make sure to continue checking RotoBaller as I'm going to be going through all positions in the coming weeks!

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First Base Prospect Rankings for Fantasy Baseball

You can also see our 2024 redraft fantasy baseball prospects rankings for all positions. Age and highest level in parentheses. 

1. Samuel Basallo, BAL (19/AA)

Back to back positions where Samuel Basallo reigns supreme. Since he has split time between catcher and first base, I am including him here as well. Here is what I wrote about Basallo in my Top 10 Catcher Prospect Rankings article:

You can make a strong case that Basallo has the best blend of hit and power in the minors for catching prospects and we saw that in 2023 when he slashed .313/.402/.551 with 26 doubles, 20 home runs, and 12 steals. He also demonstrated a strong plate approach, walking 12.6% of the time while keeping his strikeout rate under 20% at 19.5%. All of this happened as an 18 year old that didn't turn 19 until mid-August. While he might move to first base long-term, Basallo has a potential high-impact bat capable of hitting for an AVG north of .260 and more than 25 home runs over a full season while adding a handful of steals as well. He's a no-doubt top 25 overall fantasy prospect in my eyes and one you likely won't have to shell out a top 25 price tag to acquire in dynasty leagues.

2. Kyle Manzardo, CLE (23/AAA)

While the 2023 season wasn't as impressive as his 2022 showing, Manzardo still posted above-average contact rates and a 90th percentile EV around 104 mph. He also was one of the best hitters out in the Arizona Fall League, slashing .272/.340/.565 with seven doubles and six home runs in 22 games.

The long-term upside is a .potential .270 hitter or better with 25-30 home runs over a full season and a high OBP as well. We could see Manzardo contributing in Cleveland as early as opening day too. Now is a great time to buy low on him in dynasty leagues because I firmly believe that his long-term upside is a potential Top-15 fantasy first baseman.

3. Tyler Locklear, SEA (23/AA)

If he hadn't missed two months with a hand injury, I'd bet that Tyler Locklear's consensus ranking across the industry would be a bit higher. In 85 games, Locklear still racked up 25 doubles, 13 home runs, and 12 steals with a .288/.405/.502 slash line. His combination of decent contact skills, a sound approach, above-average to plus power, and ability to add a handful of steals annually gives Locklear Top 15 upside at the first base position. Now is the time to buy, because his value should only rise in 2024.

4. Abimelec Ortiz, TEX (21/A+)

One of the biggest risers at this position in 2023 was Abimelec Ortiz. While his 70% contact rate could still use some work, Ortiz has shown impressive power potential and flexed that in 2023 with 33 home runs, a .619 SLG, and a .325 ISO in 109 games.

If he can improve his contact rates and keep the strikeout rate in check, Ortiz has middle of the order masher written all over him. He's a great buy in dynasty leagues and likely a full-time starter in 2025. But will that be in Texas given all of their current depth? Nathaniel Lowe isn't a free agent until after the 2026 season.

5. Xavier Isaac, TBR (20/A+)

While the contact skills still need to be improved (68% in 2023), Xavier Isaac is certainly a name on the rise in dynasty leagues thanks to his plus to double-plus raw power and ability to draw walks at a high clip. In 102 games  between Lo-A Charleston and Hi-A Bowling Green, Isaac slashed .285/.395/.521 with 20 doubles, 19 home runs, and even a dozen steals. If the contact rates tick up in 2024 and beyond, Isaac could wind up as a top-25 overall prospect with middle of the order masher potential long-term.

6. Ben Rice, NYY (24/AA)

Ben Rice is another prospect that split time between catcher and first base this season and might continue to do so long-term. Here is my blurb on him from my Top 10 Catcher Prospect Rankings article:

If you were fortunate enough to roster Ben Rice before 2023, then you should definitely give yourself a pat on the back. After being relatively off the fantasy radar entering the season, Rice flew up rankings in 2023 after his dominant .324/.434/.615 slash line in 73 games with 20 home runs and 11 steals. Later in the season, I was able to see him a few times live and he was arguably the best hitter in the Double-A Eastern League for several weeks after his promotion to the level. The performance wasn't entirely fluky either as Rice possesses average to above-average contact skills and above average power to pair with a solid approach at the plate. Like with Basallo, first base is a possibility down the road for Rice, but he should remain catcher eligible for now and his offensive upside makes him very intriguing for fantasy purposes.

7. Ryan Clifford, NYM (20/A+)

While Ryan Clifford struggled in the Mets organization after the trade from Houston, still finished with a respectable .262/.374/.480 slash line and 24 home runs in 115 games. Before the trade, he was slashing .291/.399/.520 in 371 plate appearances with 16 doubles and 18 home runs. While he won't provide much speed as a well below average runner, Clifford's long-term upside as a potential .260/25 bat or better makes him intriguing both as a first baseman or corner outfielder.

8. Nathan Martorella, SDP (22/AA)

As a 1B/DH only player, Nathan Martorella's bat will need to stand out to make an impact for fantasy baseball. And while I don't project him to be a stud, I do think there's plenty of upside at the plate. In 135 games this past season, Martorella smacked 30 doubles and 19 home runs with a .255/.361/.437 slash line.

While a .437 SLG and .182 ISO don't exactly stand out, the power metrics hint at more power to be unlocked, at least enough to make him a 25-homer bat annually to pair with a .260 AVG and solid OBP as well given his contact skills and approach at the plate. Overall, Martorella is a decent value target in dynasty leagues this offseason as the perceived value has remained in check.

9. Matt Mervis (25/MLB)

After a dominant 2022 in the upper minors and a standout performance in the Arizona Fall League, the hype surrounding Matt Mervis for both redraft and dynasty was at a fever pitch. That didn't exactly work out as planned. However, there's still plus or better raw power in the profile that could translate to more than 30 home runs over a full season. And while the contact skills won't translate to a high average, he could still get in the .240-.260 range with a decent OBP as well.

I'm really hoping he can trim the strikeout rate a bit in 2024 though. We also need to question how much he plays in 2024 after the trade for Michael Busch.

10. Nolan Schanuel, LAA (21/MLB)

The slash line and plate discipline metrics in college and the minors for Nolan Schanuel certainly jump off the page at you. Schanuel walked 71 times to only 14 strikeouts last season in college and made it all the way up to the Majors by the end of the season. He projects as a potential plus hitter and plays up even more in OBP formats given his high walk rate.

However, the power tool lags behind and there's a chance he's more of a Lyle Overbay type. Don't let the fact that he already debuted inflate his stock though. The floor is solid but the upside is limited.

Photo Credit: Chris Welsh (@IsItTheWelsh)

If you enjoyed these rankings and want to see additional rankings, analysis, and more, check out Eric's Toolshed Fantasy Patreon.

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