In a previous article, I covered the top three catchers for fantasy baseball in 2024. In this article, I will cover the fantasy baseball first basemen who will come off of draft boards early. The top catcher did not come off the board until the third round. However, the first basemen will be drafted much earlier. Adley Rutschman was my first catcher to be taken, and this was projected to be in the third round. According to the average draft position, there will be five first basemen to be drafted before Rutschman. So be prepared to target first basemen early if you are hoping to get a top talent at the position.
1. Freddie Freeman– Los Angeles Dodgers
Freddie Freeman finished the 2023 campaign as the second-highest-scoring first baseman. With an average draft position of 8.4 he will likely be selected late in the first round. However, there is a chance you may be able to get him early in the second. Freeman finished 2023 as the leader among first basemen in many categories such as at-bats (637), runs (131), hits (211), doubles (59), stolen bases (23), plate appearances (730), extra-base hits (90), and batting average (.331).
He also finished top five in home runs (29), slugging percentage (.567), and runs batted in (102). Freeman has arguably the best roster in the MLB surrounding him. Therefore, he has a great chance to improve on these numbers. The projected increase in production is the reason he is so sought after in drafts.
2. Matt Olson– Atlanta Braves
Freeman finished second in points for fantasy baseball first basemen in the 2023 season. Matt Olson just barely edged him out for the first spot, scoring 3 more points than the Dodgers first baseman. While playing in all 162 games for the Braves in 2023 Olson put up some pretty impressive numbers. He finished top five in home runs (29), at bats (608) runs (127), hits (172), plate appearances (720), and extra base hits (84). Along with his top-five finishes, he also finished top among first basemen in home runs (54), triples (3), runs batted in (139), base-on balls (104), total bases (367) and slugging percentage (.604).
2023 was quite an impressive year for Olson. This resulted in him being drafted very high in 2024. Olson has an average draft position of 14. This means he will most likely be gone by the end of the second round, if not earlier. To get him on your team, I suggest targeting him early in the second round. If not mid to late first round.
3. Bryce Harper– Philadelphia Phillies
While Olson had an outstanding 2023 campaign, Bryce Harper had some setbacks. Many fans are hoping for a major bounce-back in 2024 for Bryce Harper. The Phillies star finished 15 in total points among fantasy baseball first basemen. Originally a right fielder for the team, Harper transitioned to first base after undergoing a Tommy John surgery on Nov. 23, 2022. Bryce Harper made his debut on May 2, less than six months after his surgery. His late start resulted in him playing only 126 games in 2023. Meaning he did not find himself atop any categories that translate to fantasy production.
However, in those 126 games, he managed 84 runs, 134 hits, 29 doubles, 21 home runs, and 72 runs batted in. 14 months removed from his surgery Harper had this to say about a potential move back to right field, “I don’t think I’ll move back out to right. I don’t, but never say never”. With an average draft position of 21, he is being taken very early in the third round. This ADP seems early to me. I would look elsewhere, perhaps outfielders, in early rounds if Harper is the best first baseman left on the board.
Late round sleeper
With these players being drafted so high there’s a chance they might not end up on your team. A late-round sleeper I suggest targeting is Christian Walker of the Arizona Diamondbacks. At the end of 2023, Walker found himself fourth in points for fantasy baseball first basemen. Notching a top-five finish in games played (157), home runs (33), doubles (36), runs batted in (103), stolen bases (11), total bases (289), and extra-base hits (71).
The Diamondbacks added third baseman Eugenio Suarez to the lineup for 2024. This should result in Walker seeing more opportunities to score runs in the 2024 season. with his average draft position of 82, Walker is being drafted very early in the ninth round. However, there is a chance that he will be drafted somewhere in the eighth.
Millions of people around the world are preparing for their fantasy draft. You do not want to be the guy showing up to your draft unprepared. This article should be beneficial in providing some insight into the first basemen who will be going early in most drafts. These average draft positions show if you want a top-tier player at the position, you should target a first baseman very early in your draft.
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