My Top 10 Catchers list led to some nasty comments about my credibility. I invite anyone who has any issues with my lists to provide a well-researched, well-written response. This is preferred over “WHERE IS YADIER MOLINA… TRASH LIST.” Yadier Molina was a great defensive catcher and a great leader for his team. He had two good years (2012 and 2013) where many thought he was on the path to be an All-Time great. Then he went back to being an average hitter again.
Nevertheless, this is a list about the Top 10 First Basemen RIGHT NOW. Just a reminder, just because a player has a higher projected WAR does not automatically put them higher up on the list.
Editors Note: All the images below come from statsolider.com. Go check it out!
1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — Toronto Blue Jays
2025
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .324 / .393 / .570
Home Runs: 40
WAR: 3.9
2026 Projection
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .336 / .412 / .590
Home Runs: 43
WAR: 5.0
2. Freddie Freeman — Los Angeles Dodgers
2025
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .286 / .356 / .494
Home Runs: 24
WAR: 4.1
2026 Projection
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .292 / .362 / .480
Home Runs: 22
WAR: 3.9
3. Matt Olson — Atlanta Braves
2025
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .265 / .343 / .557
Home Runs: 48
WAR: 4.7
2026 Projection
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .256 / .338 / .545
Home Runs: 44
WAR: 4.2
4. Bryce Harper — Philadelphia Phillies
2025
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .290 / .379 / .558
Home Runs: 37
WAR: 3.1
2026 Projection
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .298 / .385 / .562
Home Runs: 36
WAR: 5.3
5. Pete Alonso — Baltimore Orioles
2025
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .245 / .335 / .508
Home Runs: 31
WAR: 3.4
2026 Projection
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .240 / .329 / .480
Home Runs: 27
WAR: 2.3
6. Nick Kurtz — Oakland Athletics
To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have Kurtz this high if I didn’t think I would get canceled if I put him lower. I am hesitant to put a sophomore this high on any list.
Just how I am.
2025
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .290 / .383 / .619
Home Runs: 36
WAR: 5.4
2026 Projection
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .258 / .353 / .534
Home Runs: 39
WAR: 3.9
7. Rafael Devers — San Francisco Giants
I think Devers is going to have a huge year. There was definetly an adjustment period for him in San Fran, so starting the season with them from day one should be a huge help for him.
2025
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .252 / .372 / .479
Home Runs: 35
WAR: 1.9
2026 Projection
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .259 / .382 / .512
Home Runs: 40
WAR: 3.3
8. Willson Contreras — Boston Red Sox
2025
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .257 / .344 / .447
Home Runs: 20
WAR: 2.5
2026 Projection
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .243 / .333 / .440
Home Runs: 24
WAR: 2.7
9. Michael Busch — Chicago Cubs
2025
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .264 / .350 / .459
Home Runs: 32
WAR: 3.0
2026 Projection
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .254 / .331 / .449
Home Runs: 28
WAR: 2.5
10. Vinnie Pasquantino — Kansas City Royals
2025
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .282 / .358 / .510
Home Runs: 35
WAR: 3.2
2026 Projection
Slash Line (AVG/OBP/SLG): .275 / .347 / .480
Home Runs: 26
WAR: 2.6
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Part of being a First Baseman is to play defense. Devers is not the best fielder let alone at a new position that you need to play with some nuance. Does his bat alone make him one of the best mayve
Good list! I'm not certain about Devers's fielding and he didn't have a good start last year, but I guess expectations are high for this year.