Top 100 Prospects Position Rankings: First Basemen

Now that we’ve wrapped up the Top 10 Prospects lists and The Top 100, we turn our attention to how the best of the best stack up against each other.

FIRST BASEMEN

Quality of the Class: It’s an impressive first base group, with six Top 100 Prospects plus several other high-ceiling youngsters. First base is always a tough position for players to make it to the big leagues as the expectations on the bat are so high, but there are a number here who could meet those lofty requirements.

Highest Ceiling: Astros 1B A.J. Reed has a pretty high floor—he’ll draw enough walks and has enough power to produce adequate numbers even if his batting average dips. But if his hit tool lives up to his minor league/college production, he could be a future all-star with power, batting average and on-base percentage. He’s not a great defensive first baseman, but if he hits, no one will care.

Lowest Risk: Red Sox 1B Sam Travis was Kyle Schwarber’s cohort at Indiana. He hit there and he’s hit wherever he’s gone in the minors. Travis’ lack of exceptional home run power limits his ceiling but he’s a good enough hitter to have some sort of big league role.

Bursting On The Scene: Chris Shaw had a strong pro debut in short-season ball as scouts who saw him as an amateur and a pro noted that he seemed to take a significant step forward as a hitter. No one has ever doubted Shaw’s power, so if the hit tool is catching up to the power, the Giants could truly have something.

First Basemen
1. A.J. Reed, Astros
2. Josh Bell, Pirates
3. Cody Bellinger, Dodgers
4. Jake Bauers, Rays
5. Dominic Smith, Mets
6. Bobby Bradley, Indians
7. Sam Travis, Red Sox
8. Josh Naylor, Marlins
9. Byung Ho Park, Twins
10. Renato Nunez, Athletics
11. Chris Shaw, Giants
12. Matt Olson, Athletics
13. Trey Mancini, Orioles
14. Tyler White, Astros
15. Rowdy Tellez, Blue Jays
16. Casey Gillaspie, Rays
17. Ryan O’Hearn, Royals
18. D.J. Peterson, Marinerss
19. Rangel Ravelo, Athletics
20. Corey Zangari, White Sox