First base is a relatively top-heavy position in terms of positional tiers. Essentially, there are four unanimous top first basemen, and then a third tier of players who are productive, but do not necessarily possess the capabilities of the players at the top. Consider drafting first base early, but in deep leagues, if you end up with a third-tier first baseman as your top guy at the position, do not fret. There is plenty of value there before the quality declines significantly.
More Positional Tiers: C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | SP | RP
First Base Tiers
Depth at first base seems to have a small decline between tiers two and three, so grabbing a first baseman before tier three is essential. The position falls off more steeply after tier four, making first base one of the deeper positions in terms of roster-worthy quality this season.
Tier 1: Superstars
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Bryce Harper
- Matt Olson
- Freddie Freeman
Last season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit 30 home runs, while also tallying over 90 runs and 100 RBI, along with a .323 batting average. This was the third time in four years he hit 30 or more home runs with at least 90 runs. He has racked up between 94 and 111 RBI in each of the last four seasons. And in 2021 and 2024, Guerrero batted .300 or better, while not falling below .260 in each of the other seasons. He is remarkably consistent in four of the five roto categories, while also racking up the second most games played of all first basemen since 2021. This makes him my top first base option for the 2025 season.
Bryce Harper and Freddie Freeman also present great options here. Both can hit for average, and have 30 home run potential as well, and Matt Olson is two years removed from a 50 homer season. I would be happy to have any of these players as my top first basemen in drafts.
Tier 2: Stars
- Pete Alonso
- Josh Naylor
- Christian Walker
- Tristan Casas
- Jake Burger
- Salvador Perez
- Cody Bellinger
- Spencer Steer
Aside from Olson, Pete Alonso is the only other first baseman with legitimate 50-homer potential. He hit 46 in 2023 and 53 in 2019. That helps to make up for the fact that he is a batting-average liability. He is a career .249 hitter but hit just .217 two seasons ago (granted, he had a .205 BABIP that year).
I like Christian Walker here too, especially playing in Houston. Not only will he hit in a potent lineup, but as a righty that pulls fly balls well, he should rack up home runs here, and could have a career year.
Since 2019, there have been four qualified first basemen with a 20/20 season. Danny Santana did it in ’19, while Freeman and Cody Bellinger did it in 2023. Spencer Steer also had a 20/20 season last year, though his batting average sat at .225 by the end of the season. He should end up with a better AVG this season, considering his 2024 strikeout rate, contact rate, and chase rate were all better than league average, and he had a BABIP below his career norm. He does not have the power potential of a Jake Burger, but offers something at the position that other first basemen do note, while also being eligible at multiple positions in most leagues.
Tier 3: Last Starters I’m Comfortable With
- Christian Encarnacion-Strand
- Vinnie Pasquantino
- Paul Goldschmidt
- Yandy Diaz
- Luis Arraez
- Michael Busch
- Nathaniel Lowe
- Jeimer Candelario
- Ryan Mountcastle
- Jake Cronenworth
- Rhys Hoskins
- Andrew Vaughn
- Nolan Schanuel
- Michael Toglia
- Kyle Manzardo
- Josh Bell
Vinnie Pasquantino is an interesting option here that fantasy managers could get a little later, after the top 100 players, in most drafts. Health has not been his friend, though, as he has suffered his fair share of injuries. He dealt with shoulder issues in 2022 and 2023 and landed on the IL with a thumb injury last season. If he can put together a full campaign this season, he should crack 20 home runs for the first time in his career. His excellent discipline should result in another season with a solid AVG, as well, making him a great value pick in this tier despite his injury risk.
I have come around a bit on Luis Arraez, but unless I was desperate for batting average on my fantasy team, I would stay away. Arraez is a career .323 hitter, including a season where he hit .354. He has reached double-digit home runs just once in six seasons of pro ball and has scored 80 runs in a season twice. Arraez has never notched more than 69 RBI in a season and has never reached 10 stolen bases. So while he can help you in AVG, he will likely hurt you in most other categories. That is something to consider in your team build if you plan on drafting him.
Tier 4: Solid Depth
- Carlos Santana
- Tyler Soderstrom
- Anthony Rizzo
- Ryan O’Hearn
- Spencer Horwitz
- Justin Turner
- Luke Raley
- Spencer Torkelson
- LaMonte Wade Jr.
- Jonathan Aranda
- Wilmer Flores
Tyler Soderstrom should get the bulk of at-bats at first base for the Athletics, while also possessing the potential to play behind the plate. He hammered nine home runs in 61 games for the A’s last season but has the power to reach 30 with a chance to play a full season. Soderstrom did not qualify last season, but if he had, his 14% barrel rate would have ranked 11th best of all qualified batters in the league, and his 48% hard hit rate would have ranked 18th. The danger of rostering Soderstrom is his propensity to strike out, which limits his upside.
Spencer Horwitz seems to be a bit undervalued as the Pirates’ first baseman. Pittsburgh has a ton of pieces and could platoon, but Horwitz played well last season in a 97-game stint, and it appears to be his position to lose. Projections do not reflect his potential, which makes him a sleeper at the position.
Luke Raley is another player who could add value to fantasy lineups despite his limitations against lefty pitchers. He batted just .189 against them last season. Luckily, Raley should land most of the starts at first base considering most pitchers in the league are righties, and he does not have much legitimate competition for starts there. In 137 games last season, Raley mashed 22 home runs and even swiped 11 bags, tying Paul Goldschmidt for second most among qualified players at the position. He is also eligible in the outfield, adding more flexibility to your fantasy rosters.
Tier 5: Deep League Depth Pieces
- David Fry
- Ty France
- Seth Brown
- DJ LeMahieu
- Jonah Bride
- Rowdy Tellez
- Mauricio Dubon
David Fry played all over the diamond last season, gaining eligibility at catcher, first base, and outfield in some leagues. He hit 14 home runs, with 44 runs, 51 RBI, and a .264 AVG in 122 games for the Guardians. His projections do not reflect that productivity, and may be suppressing his value to fantasy managers. Fry drives and pulls the ball well, which should result in another season with a solid AVG. His improved discipline numbers from 2023 to last season are important trends as well and show a player who is developing. Most projections suggest he will not reach any of his marks from last season in terms of roto stats, but the data in his profile suggests otherwise.
Another player who has some value here includes Seth Brown, who is three years removed from a 25-homer season. If Houston was smart, they would give Mauricio Dubon the keys to the left field job. He would provide AVG but lacks some pop. Jonah Bride has 20 home run potential if the Marlins let him play every day at first base. And Rowdy Tellez should bring a team some value as a lefty platoon bat to crush righty pitchers whenever he signs with a team.
Tier 6: Dart Throws
- Joey Gallo
- Juan Yepez
- Donovan Solano
- Romy Gonzalez
- Tyler Locklear
- Andres Chaparro
- Jose Abreu
- Gavin Sheets
- Jake Bauers
Gavin Sheets is just 28 years old and should catch on somewhere, and should be a productive bat wherever he lands. Similarly, Jake Bauers could bring some value to fantasy managers if he gets time in the majors with the Brewers. He reached double-digit home runs and steals last season, but his career 29% strikeout rate and .208 AVG are things to consider when drafting him.
Tier 7: Super Deep Dart Throws
- Connor Joe
- Emmanuel Rivera
- Zach Dezenzo
- J.D. Davis
- Garrett Cooper
- Bryce Eldridge
- Jon Singleton
- Ben Rice
- Ryan Noda
- Dominic Smith
- Tyler Nevin
- Patrick Wisdom
- Bligh Madris
- Jared Walsh
- Bobby Dalbec
- Joey Meneses
- Mark Canha
- Elehuris Montero
The players in this tier are deep league dart throws, mostly for players in 15+ team leagues. This tier features a few minor leaguers who could catch on with their major league team, as well as a few others who are journeymen that could get hot, or veteran free agents that could crack a Major League club.
Think we should rearrange any players into different tiers? Share it in the comments below. For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
