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’sMLB The Show 22, if they can’t hit for power, they’re probably not going to make the team.
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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 inMLB The Show 22that rise to the occasion consistently.
Updated on July 16th, 2022 by Hodey Johns:This list first came out before the season started. All-Star week marks the halfway point of the season. So, how did the analysts do? Of course, nobody is perfect. Some players that were expected to do poorly ended up putting together a fantastic first half, so they needed to be added to the list. Others that were well-hyped didn’t quite hit the expectations of the experts, so they had to be dropped. A hot or a cold streak could see even the worst-ranked player make this list or the number one ranked player fall out of favor entirely. This is how things have shaken out so far.
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11Josh Bell - 82 OVR
Anybody playing behind Josh Bell in Washington D.C. should considerchanging positionsif 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.
10Brandon 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 toimprove in Road to the Showshould 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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8Ty 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 toslap on equipmentto achieve the numbers he’s got.
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6Anthony 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 thatplay against friendswill be excited for his turn at the plate.
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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.
5Freddie 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 thoselooking 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.
4C.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.
3Pete 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.
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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.
