The game of baseball is built around the nine core positions and in today’s case a 10th core position the designated hitter slot.

However, one of those positions that continues to be at the front of the pack regarding offensive numbers is the first base position. Over the history of Major League Baseball, many great first baseman have come and gone over the years. 

The same can be said for the 2022 MLB lineup of first baseman spread all the 30 MLB clubs. The list is loaded with star caliber players such as Paul Goldschmidt of the St. Louis Cardinals, Vladimir Guerrero Jr of the Toronto Blue Jays, Rhys Hoskins of the Philadelphia Phillies, and Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

As individuals and baseball fans look to answer the question of “who is the best 1st baseman in MLB” many of the candidates on the Top 10 First Baseman 2022 rankings are worth consideration. Here is our Top 10 First Baseman 2022 rankings list.

Honorable Mention

Jose Abreu

Team: Chicago White Sox

Since arriving from Cuba and joining the Chicago White Sox during the 2013 MLB off-season and before the start of the 2014 MLB season, Jose Abreu has been a staple among the best first baseman in baseball.

While his home run (8) totals, runs scored (34) and runs batted in numbers (30) are done, the White Sox first baseman has been able to pick up production in other offensive categories. Those categories include On Base Percentage (.365), doubles (19), and batting average (.288). 

Ryan Mountcastle

Team: Baltimore Orioles

One of the hottest teams in all of baseball over the past month has been the Baltimore Orioles. Yes, you read that correct the Baltimore Orioles, and some of that has to do with the success Ryan Mountcastle continues to have at the plate.

The Orioles first baseman is batting .277 on the season while also picking up 14 home runs, driving in 44 runs, posting an .805 OPS, and 20 doubles through his first 289 at bats this season.

Top 10 First Basemen

10. Matt Olson

Team: Atlanta Braves 

After giving up a ton to land Matt Olson from the Oakland A’s, the former A’s first baseman has been a great replacement to Freddie Freeman who left to join the Los Angeles Dodgers during the off-season.

The Atlanta Braves first baseman currently leads all first baseman in 2022 with 33 doubles. In addition to the doubles, Olson is batting .254 on the year with 13 home runs, 49 runs batted in, a .345 On Base Percentage, and a .459 slugging percentage while helping the Braves compete as one of the top teams in the National League East. 

9. Rhys Hoskins

Team: Philadelphia Phillies

When you start to compare the top first baseman in baseball, Rhys Hoskins of the Philadelphia Phillies is in consideration.

The six-year veteran is continuing to put together solid numbers year in and year out. In 2022, the Phillies first baseman is hitting .252 with 18 doubles, 17 home runs, two triples, 42 runs batted in, and 45 runs scored.

In addition, Hoskins is currently posting a 2.1 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) mark to go along with a .345 On Base Percentage and an .484 slugging percentage. 

8. Anthony Rizzo

Team: New York Yankees

Only thing holding Anthony Rizzo of the New York Yankees from a higher spot on the Top 10 First Baseman 2022 rankings list is his batting average.

Rizzo, who is in his first full season with the Yankees is hitting just .226 on the year while also striking out 59 times over 283 total at bats.

However, the former Chicago Cubs power hitting first baseman leads all first baseman in home runs with 22. In addition, Rizzo hos posted a .511 slugging percentage mark to go along with 12 doubles, one triple, 59 hits, and 46 runs scored.

7. Ty France

Team: Seattle Mariners

Ty France of the Seattle Mariners can do it all as he is an above average defensive first baseman as well as a solid hitter at the plate.

On the year, France has posted a .996 field percentage mark at first base while committing just two total errors out of 499 total chances.

To go along with the field, France is ranked 4th in hits among all first baseman with 87. Other offensive statistics for France includes 14 doubles, 10 home runs, 45 runs batted in, and a .395 On Base Percentage mark.

6. Josh Bell

Team: Washington Nationals

Once one of the bright young stars of the National League is still one of the better players among the first base positions.

Josh Bell, who turns 30 in August, continues to reach base on a night-to-night basis for the Washington Nationals.

Bell, who ranks 2nd in hits (96), 4th in batting average (.304), and 5th in doubles (19), also has 12 doubles, two triples and 47 runs batted on for the season. His production at the plate has earned him a career high 3.1 Wins Above Replacement mark. 

5. Pete Alonso

Team: New York Mets

Slotting in at number five on the Top 10 First Baseman 2022 rankings list is the New York Mets key power hitter and franchise player.

Through 66 games played this season, Alonso trails only Anthony Rizzo (22), Christian Walker (21), C.J. Cron (20) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr (19) in home runs as the Mid-Summer classic approaches.

To go along with those numbers Alonso is batting .273 on the year with a .348 On Base Percentage, and 13 doubles while also leading all first baseman with 70 runs batted in.

4. C.J. Cron

Team: Colorado Rockies 

You might ask yourself if C.J. Cron is a good first baseman since he is playing and hitting at a hitter’s friendly ballpark at Coors Field.

While that is true, it is still hard to take away from the production Cron has put up this season for the Colorado Rockies.

The Rockies first baseman currently ranks 2nd in runs batted in (66), 7th in batting average (.295), 4th in home runs (20), 9th in doubles (19), and 4th in runs scored. 

3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Team: Toronto Blue Jays

After an MVP performance in 2021, Vladimir Guerrero Jr of the Toronto Blue Jays has seen his success continue into the 2022 MLB season.

The Blue Jays first baseman is currently batting .266 on the year through 327 at bats. Over those 327 at bats, Guerrero has picked up 14 doubles, 87 total hits and 19 home runs while also driving in 54 runs.

To go along with the 54 runs, Guerrero has walked 37 times, posted a .346 On Base Percentage, and an OPS of .829 for the season.   

2. Freddie Freeman

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Despite heading west and deciding to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, the former Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman continues to be a top tier first baseman among the game of baseball.

Freeman is currently batting .304 on the year while picking up 102 total hits, 27 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs to go along with 54 runs batted in.

In addition, Freeman has picked up 41 walks, stolen seven bags and scored 55 times for the first place Dodgers team. 

1. Paul Goldschmidt

Team: St. Louis Cardinals

You could have easily flipped the top three players on this list depending on the statistics you were ranking.

Nonetheless the St. Louis Cardinals first baseman lands at number one as he currently sits with the highest fielding percentage among all first baseman (.998 mark) while also leading all first baseman in hits (107) while also picking up 28 doubles, 19 home runs and 65 runs batted in over the course of 315 at bats to start the season.

How would you rank these First Basemen so far? Rank below to be added in the MLB Power Rankings 

Related Links:

• Top 10 MLB Players 2022 May Rankings
• Top 10 MLB Teams 2022 May Rankings
• Top 10 MLB Prospects 2022 Rankings
• Top 10 MLB Rookies 2022 May Rankings
• Top 10 MLB Teams 2022 June Rankings
• Top 10 MLB Players 2022 June Rankings
• Top 10 MLB Rookies 2022 June Rankings
• MLB Top 10 Center Fielders 2022 Rankings
• MLB Top 10 Right Fielders 2022 Rankings
• MLB Top 10 Pitchers 2022 Rankings