The first baseman is a position with a relentless laundry list of demands. They have to field to the right, field poorly thrown balls, and keep runners in position with a strong arm. Oh, and in today’s MLB The Show 22, if they can’t hit for power, they’re probably not going to make the team.
It’s a position for players that love to rise to meet the demands. They have to enjoy the pressure of being a part of every ground ball, taking leadership on the infield, and getting a spot in the heart of the lineup for RBI potential. These are the first basemen in MLB The Show 22 that rise to the occasion consistently.
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11 Josh Bell - 82 OVR
Anybody playing behind Josh Bell in Washington D.C. should consider changing positions if they are serious about their playing time. He’s a feared hitting and has been that way since his days as a Pirate. Need an RBI? That’s his specialty.
No single attribute is going to make Bell look like a superstar. But, aside from bunting, he’s got every category rated at a 92 or better. First basemen are often not the most reliable or well-rounded bunch, Bell is a wonderful exception.
10 Brandon Belt - 83 OVR
This list will make it apparent how much better most hitters are against lefties. Brandon Belt is the exception to the rule, recognized with a 92 power rating against righties, though he’s still got just above-average contact and power against any pitcher.
Gamers that want to improve in Road to the Show should learn, as Belt has, to hit from this side. With a discipline at 95 and a durability of 95, Belt can be counted on for his health and finding a way onto the basepaths.
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8 Ty France
The Seattle Mariners are in the middle of a very unexpected hot streak. They’ve been getting contributions from many unexpected players but none have risen to stardom quite like Ty France. He was snubbed for the All-Star game; statistically, he deserved a spot.
The ratings adjusters have taken note. He’s got perfect scores in contact against righties and clutch, good for a big hit when his team needs it the most. Gamers will need to slap on equipment to achieve the numbers he’s got.
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6 Anthony Rizzo - 84 OVR
Big power threat Anthony Rizzo is a large part of why the Yankees are in the midst of a historic regular season. If they indeed finish as strong as they started, they’ll have the best record in baseball history. And they will not forget how acquiring Rizzo is part of their success. Gamers that play against friends will be excited for his turn at the plate.
He’s been his usual self and finds himself on this list more because of elite first basemen that have fallen off of the map rather than being anything more superhuman than himself. But his perfect 99 power rating against righties may make him feel superhuman all the same.
5 Freddie Freeman - 86 OVR
The Dodgers are absolutely loaded. They were easily the most imbalanced team in baseball last year and that’s not changing this year; in fact, it’s getting worse. For those looking to get called up in Road to the Show, playing on the Dodgers is an uphill battle.
The Gold Glover, former MVP, and perennial All-Star finished with an underdog title in the Braves and now joins the team that he miraculously upset in 2021. They’ll be loving his 99 clutch rating in Los Angeles when it’s October, no doubt.
4 C.J. Cron - 90 OVR
Despite being a journeyman player who regularly does stints in various minor league teams, C.J. Cron made his first All-Star game in 2022. Until this year, he wasn’t on this list at all and likely wouldn’t have made a top twenty list either. He just flat-out was not on the radar.
Now, Cron is hitting for power against lefties with a perfect 99 rating and contact against righties with a 90. This makes his approach differ depending on who is on the mound, but it’s working for him. The Rockies haven’t had many pleasant surprises this year, Cron is a very notable exception.
3 Pete Alonso - 91 OVR
Pete Alonso came onto the scene in a flash, stunning the league by winning the Home Run Derby and making the All-Star team in his rookie year. He’s currently regarded as an annual threat to win the home rune title.
Alonso gets 90+ power scores against righties and lefties, the latter of which he lands at a perfect 99. Unlike most elite first basemen, Pete Alonso is having an impressive 2022 season and a big part of why the Mets remain in the mix for the best team despite their injury troubles.
2 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 91 OVR
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was at the top of this list at the start of the year. He’s taken a tumble, as have most other first basemen, as they struggle to keep their average acceptable. Guerrero is still a top-tier power threat as evidenced by his 98 power rating against lefties.
His highest single attribute is his durability. For teams that consistently have to rehabilitate, rotate, or DH their first basemen, this is no small thing. Guerrero’s endurance is an asset to the team and, over an entire season, will directly correlate to more wins.
1 Paul Goldschmidt - 97 OVR
Just when experts thought Paul Goldschmidt’s best days were behind him, he wins a Gold Glove and smacks his 280th career home run. This is outstanding for a guy who doesn’t allow power to take away from his average. He should take pride in his career .295 batting average.
There was an outcry when Goldschmidt started the season at an 89 OVR. That’s good, no doubt, but this is a potential Hall of Famer in his prime. The ratings adjusters have seen the error in their ways and compensated by making him the best first baseman, with perfect scores in clutch, contact against lefties, a 97 in durability, and awesome marks across the board.
MLB The Show 22 is available now for Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PlayStation 5.
