In this third installment of our Position Rankings for the 2017 MLB season, we will examine the top five first basemen in Major League Baseball. First base is the most heavily relied on position for offense, so defensive metrics will not factor in as much as with catchers.

Let’s take a look at the top first basemen around the league.

5. Freddie Freeman- Atlanta Braves

Freddie Freeman has developed into the franchise cornerstone the Atlanta Braves have been coveting since the retirement of Chipper Jones. Freeman finally delivered on his power potential last season, launching 34 bombs to go along with 91 RBI’s. He also provided the Braves with a consistent bat in the middle of the line up with a .302 batting average. At only 27 years old, Freeman is poised to be the next franchise great. Freeman will lead the Braves into SunTrust Park in 2017 and beyond.

4. Anthony Rizzo- Chicago Cubs

Chicago was able to claim the 2016 World Series. Since they are led by Anthony Rizzo and other stars, it shouldn’t be their last. Garnering his third All-Star game appearance of the past three seasons, Rizzo was a vital cog to the Cubs championship machine. His 32 homers and 109 RBI’s were fueled by the best slash line of his career. Rizzo batted .292, had an OBP of .385, and a slugging percentage of .544. It’s easily the best of his five-year career. When he wasn’t providing big hits for the Cubs, Rizzo flashed the leather. He had 11 defensive runs saved in 2016, proving Rizzo to be one of the better overall first basemen in the majors.

3. Joey Votto- Cincinnati Reds

With the Cincinnati Reds in the middle of a long rebuilding process, Joey Votto has proven to be their cornerstone. Votto does not fit the typical slugging first basemen prototype, but he still provides plenty of pop in an extremely disciplined bat. Votto hit 29 home runs last season to go along with 97 RBI’s. That’s plenty of production from a middle of the order bat.

What Votto excels at most is getting on base. Votto posted an OBP of .434 last season, one of the highest of all first basemen in the majors. While Votto did have a solid year with the bat, his glove tailed off some from his career averages. Votto had -14 defensive runs saved last season, the worst of his stellar career. What Votto lacks in defense, he more than makes up for in offense. Look for Votto to bring the Reds back towards respectability in 2017.

2. Paul Goldschmidt- Arizona Diamondbacks

When Paul Goldschmidt was taken by the Diamondbacks in the eighth round of the 2009 Amateur Draft, all 30 MLB teams had passed on him multiple times. What they wouldn’t give to have a chance at him again. All Goldschmidt has done is rake since being called up to the majors in 2011. With 24 long balls and 95 RBI’s, Goldschmidt provided Arizona with another solid offensive season.

One thing Goldschmidt brings to the table that other first basemen lack is speed. Goldschmidt stole 32 bases last season! The second most stolen bases by a first baseman last season was Wil Myers with 28 and the third guy on that list had 12. It’s safe to say Goldschmidt can fly on the base paths. Couple that speed with power and the ability to hit for average, and you have a gem of a first baseman.

1. Miguel Cabrera- Detroit Tigers

Until Miguel Cabrera proves he isn’t the top first basemen in the majors, atop this list he will stay. At 33 years old, Cabrera is still in the prime of his career. He provided the Tigers with 38 homers and 108 RBI’s, good to earn him his 11th All-Star game appearance in 2016. While he did post a negative defensive runs saved last season of -6, the offensive firepower he provides more than makes up for a few gaffes down at first base. Cabrera is the prototypical slugging first baseman. His career slash line of .321 average, .399 OBP, and .562 slugging are enough evidence to prove Cabrera is the top first basemen of 2017, if not the past 14 years.

For these five aforementioned first basemen, they will look for 2017 to bring 2016-like results. They are all fairly young or in their prime, so this list should be set for some time.

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