Fantasy Baseball First Base Breakdown: Studs, Surprises & Slow Starts

The other day, we started a fantasy baseball series where we break down MLB positions. We started with catchers, and now are going to go over first basemen.

Check back in the days/weeks to come for breakdowns of other positions!

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Top First Basemen

The top fantasy first baseman, using ESPN scoring settings, is Atlanta's Matt Olson. He's been available consistently over his career, and is delivering career-best marks so far. He may regress in time, but the only way I'd trade him away is if I got an overpay.

New York Yankees' Ben Rice is the No. 2 fantasy 1B, after being the top catcher when we wrote up that story. The dual eligibility makes Rice a high-end fantasy asset. Hopefully he's able to get over the injury he's working through now soon, because he's been an elite asset this year.

Philadelphia's Bryce Harper is the No. 3 fantasy first baseman so far this season. It's great to see Harper delivering early on, and he could stick there, especially if the Phillies' offense heats up a bit.

Houston's Christian Walker is the No. 4 fantasy 1B so far. He struggled mightily in 2025, but is back to being a good fantasy asset for 2026. Walker is a sell-high fantasy trade candidate, especially because he was likely a depth option for you, or someone you picked up early in the season.

Miami's Liam Hicks is the No. 5 first baseman. He's also eligible at catcher, which makes him an even better fantasy asset. Hicks has been an early-season fantasy surprise, and while he may regress in time, it's hard to move off him, because he's been so good and is eligible at multiple spots.

Underperforming First Basemen

Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has underperformed to this point of the season. He was the top fantasy 1B off draft boards on average, and he sits outside the top 10 right now. I expect him to get going in time, so hold out hope on Guerrero if you roster him.

Athletics' Nick Kurtz was the No. 2 fantasy first baseman taken this year, and he's outside the top 20 at the position right now. Kurtz has underperformed so far, but I see better days ahead. It's a time to buy low into Kurtz, or hold out hope that he'll re-emerge as a top-end fantasy 1B in time.

Pete Alonso went around when Kurtz did, and was the third first baseman taken on average. He's a couple fantasy points behind Guerrero, so Alonso has underperformed as well. I'm not as confident in Alonso getting back to being a top-five fantasy 1B, but trading him away now would be selling him low, so I'd be more inclined to hold him until he heats up and sell him at that point.

Vinnie Pasquantino went around pick 65 on average in fantasy drafts. He sits outside the top 25 at the position so far, so he's really underwhelmed. Pasquantino should improve in time, but for now, he's looking like a pretty big draft bust.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman was drafted a couple picks after Pasquantino. Freeman is outside the top 15 first baseman so far, so while he's underperformed a bit, it's nothing too drastic. Freeman is another who could improve his standing in time, and he's trustworthy as a veteran player.

Position Fantasy Outlook

The first base position is absolutely loaded, and that's something we expected coming into the season. It's why a lot of fantasy owners skipped the position early in drafts - those who did are sitting better today because of it.

If you are struggling to get production from your first basemen, don't be afraid to trade them away, or look to replace them. There's a ton of viable daily fantasy first basemen out there, so don't let the position hold you back.

I see Olson, Rice and Harper sticking near the top of the position. Guerrero and Freeman are veterans who could stack success and get closer to the top end of the position in time.

There's so many others who have started the year well and are options to finish there by season's end. Some guys might be worth selling high, while others are worth sticking with.

Again though, the position is absolutely loaded, so it should be fairly easy to get consistent production from that spot. A lot of fantasy owners have multiple options for that spot, so a trade for a 1B should be a bit easier.

We'll see how the position progresses in time.