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May First Baseman Rankings

Josh Naylor

Josh Naylor

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Up this week are the May rest-of-season position rankings and overall top 300 for 5x5 leagues.

In the interests of full disclosure, the 2022 preseason rankings here are actually a snapshot from Friday, April 8, rather than from prior to Opening Day on April 7, since I continued to update the rankings for drafts taking place that weekend. There weren’t more than a few big changes during that timeframe, but Steven Kwan and Tylor Megill are higher in the 2022 column here than I had them in the preseason.

Click to see other May rankings:

Top 300 | SP | RP | OF | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | C

First Baseman Rankings

May First Basemen Team 2022
1 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Blue Jays 1
DH 1 Shohei Ohtani Angels DH 1
2 Freddie Freeman Dodgers 2
3 Matt Olson Braves 3
4 Pete Alonso Mets 4
5 Paul Goldschmidt Cardinals 5
6 Josh Bell Nationals 7
7 Rhys Hoskins Phillies 6
8 Jose Abreu White Sox 8
9 C.J. Cron Rockies 9
10 Jake Cronenworth Padres 10
11 DJ LeMahieu Yankees 13
12 Anthony Rizzo Yankees 17
13 Ty France Mariners 18
DH 2 Franmil Reyes Guardians DH 2
14 Max Muncy Dodgers 14
DH 3 Nelson Cruz Nationals DH 3
15 Joey Votto Reds 12
16 Jared Walsh Angels 16
17 Connor Joe Rockies n/a
18 Nathaniel Lowe Rangers 19
19 Brandon Belt Giants 21
20 Eric Hosmer Padres 28
21 Bobby Dalbec Red Sox 15
22 Rowdy Tellez Brewers 26
23 Spencer Torkelson Tigers 25
24 Ryan Mountcastle Orioles 11
25 Trey Mancini Orioles 23
26 Luke Voit Padres 22
27 Owen Miller Guardians n/a
28 LaMonte Wade Jr. Giants 30
29 Yuli Gurriel Astros 29
30 Josh Naylor Guardians n/a
31 Jonathan Schoop Tigers 24
32 Luis Arraez Twins n/a
33 Garrett Cooper Marlins n/a
34 Darin Ruf Giants 32
35 Alex Kirilloff Twins 20
36 Jurickson Profar Padres 45
37 Wilmer Flores Giants 39
38 Yandy Diaz Rays 38
39 Pavin Smith Diamondbacks 37
40 Nick Pratto Royals 36
41 Brad Miller Rangers 34
42 Jesus Aguilar Marlins 33
43 Keston Hiura Brewers 42
44 Christian Walker Diamondbacks 44
DH 4 Seth Beer Diamondbacks DH 5
45 Tyler Stephenson Reds 40
46 Edwin Rios Dodgers 41
47 Alfonso Rivas Cubs n/a
48 Triston Casas Red Sox 52
49 Frank Schwindel Cubs 27
50 Ji-Man Choi Rays 59
51 Seth Brown Athletics n/a
52 Dominic Smith Mets n/a
53 Colin Moran Reds 35
54 Daniel Vogelbach Pirates 51
55 Albert Pujols Cardinals 49
56 Carlos Santana Royals 46
57 Miguel Cabrera Tigers 48
58 Yoshi Tsutsugo Pirates 43
59 Miguel Sano Twins 31
60 Vinnie Pasquantino Royals 60
61 Lewin Diaz Marlins 53
62 Michael Chavis Pirates n/a
63 Juan Yepez Cardinals 50
64 Matt Duffy Angels n/a
65 Matt Beaty Padres 54

Dropping off: Bobby Bradley (47th), Jake Bauers (55th)

  • I’m including the four remaining DHs here. The list will probably be down to two players next month, as Franmil Reyes is seeing occasional starts in right field and Seth Beer should get more time at first base.

  • I was feeling better about the depth at first base going into this year than I had in recent seasons, but that’s hardly the case now. There’s a pretty huge gap after Max Muncy at No. 14, and four of those top 14 players are, in theory anyway, more valuable at other positions. Three guys originally in my top 15 are shaping up as disappointments; Joey Votto has looked terrible, Ryan Mountcastle has been hampered by the changes at Oriole Park and Bobby Dalbec is struggling and losing playing time. I still think there’s hope for Dalbec, but the ball isn’t traveling well at Fenway and I’ve downgraded the Red Sox offense as a whole in these rankings.

  • I also don’t have a ton of faith in the April surprises. Eric Hosmer is actually hitting the ball on the ground more than ever and has even taken an exit velocity hit. I like Connor Joe’s approach and I’ve given him a big bump now that he’s established himself in the Rockies lineup, but even with Coors Field helping him along, his power numbers will likely be mediocre. Rowdy Tellez is someone I was a fan of in NL-only leagues going into the year and I think he’ll remain quite effective, but his upside is rather limited.

  • Keep an eye on Josh Naylor, who has 18 hard-hit balls and just seven strikeouts in 50 plate appearances since coming off the IL. He hasn’t had anything to offer fantasy leaguers in previous seasons, but his line-drive approach gives him an edge in the current environment and he should have plenty of RBI chances in the middle of the Guardians order.

  • Alfonso Rivas has overtaken Frank Schwindel as the Cubs’ first baseman against righties with his .429/.520/.619 line in 25 plate appearances. He doesn’t have the power to turn into a force in mixed leagues, hence his modest placement here, but he’ll post a nice OBP if he keeps his spot.