Top 75 First Base Fantasy Baseball Rankings: January Updates

January 21, 2026

Top 75 first base (1B) fantasy baseball rankings, draft tiers for roto leagues (January updates). Nick Mariano's tiered 1B fantasy baseball draft rankings.

We have updated our 2026 fantasy baseball rankings to over 750 players overall, and are kicking off our updated positional rankings series with first basemen. Below are our MLB teams' updated 2026 fantasy baseball first base rankings and tiers for roto leagues (5x5 category mixed leagues). These January rankings cover the top 75 first basemen for 2026. First base is not as deep as it was in years past, and targeting a 1B in the early rounds is a good strategy due to the scarcity of the position.

Athletics star first baseman Nick Kurtz leads the way in our 1B rankings after smashing 36 homers in 119 games last season. There are also several news items, recent transactions, and rumors floating around about trades/signings this offseason involving the first base position which affect the rest of our rankings. We have seen Pete Alonso sign with the Orioles and Willson Contreras acquired by the Red Sox. Paul Goldschmidt remains a free agent. Jac Caglianone, Sal Stewart, and Charlie Condon are names to watch during spring training as young players with upside looking to secure everyday roles. 

The first base rankings below are specifically designed for traditional roto leagues, put together by RotoBaller's lead MLB forecaster Nick Mariano. We're also writing fresh articles all throughout the off-season for fantasy baseball prospects, fantasy baseball dynasty, and so much more. Win more in 2026!

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Updated Fantasy Baseball First Base Rankings (January)

Fantasy Baseball First Base (1B) News

Seth Brown, New York Yankees

Free Agent first baseman/outfielder Seth Brown signed a minor league contract with the Yankees on Monday, and he will also receive an invite to Spring Training. The 33-year-old lefty has provided good power production in the past and could be a good fit for Yankee Stadium if he finds his way to playing time at some point this season. He split last year between the Athletics and Diamondbacks, playing a total of 38 MLB games and 35 games in Triple-A.

Brown hit .185 in the majors but .352 with 13 homers in his 35 minor-league games, showing there could be some gas left in the tank. He has been a predominantly pull hitter with a high home run rate and high strikeout rate throughout his career. His pull-heavy approach could be a nice fit for Yankee Stadium, and he could be a cheap source of home runs if he works his way into playing time with a good spring.

Jac Caglianone, Kansas City Royals

Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone appears ticketed to see a near-everyday role at the start of the 2026 campaign. The former sixth overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft made his MLB debut last season but struggled, posting a .157/.237/.295 line with just six doubles and seven home runs across a 62-game stint. However, during his time at Triple-A, the former Florida Gator flared immense upside, hitting an elite .357/.426/.705 line with six doubles and 11 home runs.

Earlier in the offseason, the Royals appeared interested in acquiring Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran in a trade. However, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that this trade appears unlikely, leaving Caglainone facing even less competition for an everyday role. Currently, he is slated to cover right field while Kyle Isbel, Isaac Collins, and Lane Thomas split center and left field. Given his power upside, Caglianone could enjoy a massive breakout season if he can see every day at-bats.

Sal Stewart, Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds prospect Sal Stewart is expected to earn opportunities at first base during camp. Charlie Goldsmith of The Dayton Daily News reported that, given Cincinnati's crowded infield, the Reds will look to provide Stewart as many opportunities as possible instead of keeping him in the DH spot. Last summer, the team's top hitting prospect made his MLB debut and spent most of his time at first base.

However, coming up in the minor leagues. Stewart never saw a game at first base and instead covered second and third. However, with Ke'Bryan Hayes at the hot corner and Matt McLain at second, the 22-year-old has had to learn a new position.

Managers should monitor his status during camp, as Stewart could shift between first base and DH if his bat can continue to produce. During his first 18 games with the Reds, Stewart flashed solid upside, hitting five home runs with an .838 OPS.

Triston Casas, Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (knee) said that being ready for Opening Day will be a "tight squeeze," according to Tim Healey of the Boston Globe. He hopes to ease his way back into action by playing in some games during spring training. Casas is recovering from a ruptured left patellar tendon, and doctors gave him a 12-month recovery timeline that would put his projected return in early May.

He had slashed .182/.277/.303 with three home runs and 56 wRC+ through 29 games before suffering his season-ending injury. Boston would definitely like to get its left-handed slugger back, but the organization presumably feels a little less urgency after acquiring Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals. Regardless of Casas' health, Contreras should start at first base when the Red Sox open their season in Cincinnati on March 26.

Moises Ballersteros, Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs catcher/first base prospect Moises Ballesteros could see a full-time role on the MLB roster in the 2026 season. The team's top catching prospect made his MLB debut last season and showed flashes in his limited 20-game stint. During this small taste, the 22-year-old held a .298/.394/.474 line with two home runs.

However, with Kyle Tucker off the roster, the team's primary designated hitter last season, Seiya Suzuki, will likely shift back to right field, opening a spot in the lineup for Ballesteros. Additionally, the backstop could serve as the No. 2 option to Carson Kelly, further opening up opportunities.

Through 114 games at Triple-A last summer, Ballesteros flashed immense upside, holding a .316/.385/.473 line. He is a name to closely monitor during camp, as he could be a top late-round power target if he claims the primary DH role.

Paul Goldschmidt, Free Agent

Free-agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt "continues to loom as a potential fit" with the Arizona Diamondbacks, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Goldschmidt spent the 2025 season with the New York Yankees, posting a .274/.328/.403 slash line with 10 home runs, 45 RBI, 76 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 534 plate appearances. Entering his age-38 season, Goldschmidt's days as an everyday player are likely behind him.

However, he mashed left-handed pitching to a .336/.411/.570 line in 2025, which could make him an ideal platoon partner for Diamondbacks left-handed hitting first baseman Pavin Smith. Goldschmidt also spent the first eight years of his career in Arizona before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, so a homecoming could be a nice story for both player and team.

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