2026 1B Power Rankings: The Bats That Will Carry Lineups

First base is one of baseball’s most impactful offensive positions — and heading into the 2026 MLB season, it remains stacked with elite bats, established stars, and fantasy studs. Using a combination of 2026 positional rankings and early projection data, here’s a detailed look at the Top 10 first basemen you should be watching this year, complete with projected stat lines based on current projections and performance trends.

MLB 2026 First Base Preview: Projected Top 10 1B (With Stat Lines)

1) Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays

Projection: 143 G, 637 PA — 32 HR, 94 R, 99 RBI, 5 SB, .297/.383/.530 If you’re building the “prototype 1B” in a lab, it’s basically this: middle-of-the-order thump, elite OBP, and durability.

2) Bryce Harper, Phillies

Projection: 135 G, 598 PA — 27 HR, 83 R, 87 RBI, 9 SB, .273/.368/.495 Harper’s still the rare 1B who can impact the game in multiple ways (including sneaky speed). When he’s right, the lineup feels unfair.

3) Matt Olson, Braves

Projection: 148 G, 651 PA — 31 HR, 89 R, 95 RBI, 1 SB, .256/.349/.478 Bankable power + walks + run production. Olson is basically the definition of “set it and forget it” at 1B.

4) Freddie Freeman, Dodgers

Projection: 151 G, 658 PA — 24 HR, 89 R, 94 RBI, 7 SB, .279/.362/.470 He may not be the top HR guy anymore, but Freeman is still the king of high-quality at-bats and “how is he hitting .280 again?” consistency.

5) Nick Kurtz, Athletics

Projection: 109 G, 493 PA — 31 HR, 78 R, 71 RBI, 4 SB, .258/.353/.533 This is the fun one. Steamer is basically saying: “Yeah, the power is real.” If his playing time climbs, the counting stats can explode.

6) Pete Alonso, Orioles

Projection: 146 G, 642 PA — 35 HR, 88 R, 100 RBI, 3 SB, .254/.337/.494 A classic: elite home run output and RBI gravity. If the Orioles lineup gives him traffic, 100+ RBI is right there.

7) Yandy Díaz, Rays

Projection: 135 G, 612 PA — 20 HR, 83 R, 71 RBI, 3 SB, .287/.362/.457 The “not flashy, just always good” pick. If you like OBP and stable production, Díaz is your guy.

8) Josh Naylor, Mariners

Projection: 133 G, 570 PA — 22 HR, 71 R, 80 RBI, 15 SB, .266/.330/.450 A 1B projected for double-digit steals (15!) is wild value. That category juice changes how you build a roster.

9) Luis Arraez, Giants

Projection: 129 G, 592 PA — 6 HR, 72 R, 52 RBI, 9 SB, .305/.345/.403 Not your typical 1B profile (power-light), but he’s a batting-average anchor. If you’re punting HR at 1B, you’re doing it with intention—Arraez is that intention.

10) Ben Rice, Yankees

Projection: 108 G, 465 PA — 23 HR, 62 R, 68 RBI, 4 SB, .246/.332/.474 If Rice gets the runway, the power plays. A 23-HR projection in under 500 PA screams “bigger season if the role is real.”