The Los Angeles Dodgers were represented on MLB Network’s The Shredder rankings of the top-10 first basemen heading into the 2023 season with Freddie Freeman being named as the No. 2 player at the position.
The only player ranked above Freeman is St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who was last selected to the top spot in 2019.
Following Freeman are Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays, newest Houston Astros star José Abreu, New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso, Atlanta Braves’ Matt Olson, Ty France of the Seattle Mariners, the Texas Rangers’ Nathaniel Lowe, Luis Arraez of the Minnesota Twins, and the list is rounded out by Rhys Hoskins of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Shredder is a statistical model that places emphasis on WAR, wRC+ and Statcast metrics to compile annual rankings. The model focuses directly on a three-year sample for first basemen, with 2022 performance given more weight in the calculations.
Freeman has been selected by The Shredder for 10 straight seasons, including a three-year run at the top spot on the list from 2020-2022.
MLB Network analysts Mike Petriello and Sarah Langs both ranked Freeman at No. 1 on their respective lists, while Vince Gennaro agreed with The Shredder by placing him just behind Goldschmidt.
Since start of 2019 season, Freeman has a 19.5 fWAR that trails only Aaron Judge (22.3), Trea Turner (20.1) and Mookie Betts (19.6).
The six-time All-Star led MLB with 199 hits and batted .325/.407/.511 with 47 doubles, 21 home runs, 100 RBI, 117 runs scored, a 157 wRC+ and 13 stolen bases in 159 games during his first season with the Dodgers.
Freeman also tied Mookie Betts for the NL lead in runs scored but fell just shy of edging the Mets’ Jeff McNeil for the National League batting title.
Among all qualified first basemen, Freeman ranked first in batting average, on-base percentage, runs scored and stolen bases, second in wRC+, wOBA and WAR, third in slugging, fifth in RBI and 14th in home runs.
While Freeman was not among the MVP finalists, he was named to the All-MLB Second Team, which he has earned in each of the four seasons since the honor was introduced following the 2019 campaign. Goldschmidt took the All-MLB First Team honor for NL first baseman.
The Shredder Top-10 First Basemen Right Now for 2023
| Rank | The Shredder | Mike Petriello | Sarah Langs | Vince Gennaro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals) | Freddie Freeman (Dodgers) | Freddie Freeman (Dodgers) | Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals) |
| 2 | Freddie Freeman (Dodgers) | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays) | Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals) | Freddie Freeman (Dodgers) |
| 3 | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays) | Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals) | Pete Alonso (Mets) | Pete Alonso (Mets) |
| 4 | José Abreu (Astros) | Pete Alonso (Mets) | Matt Olson (Braves) | Anthony Rizzo (Yankees) |
| 5 | Pete Alonso (Mets) | José Abreu (Astros) | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays) | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays) |
| 6 | Matt Olson (Braves) | Matt Olson (Braves) | Luis Arraez (Twins) | Matt Olson (Braves) |
| 7 | Ty France (Mariners) | Vinnie Pasquantino (Royals) | Nathaniel Lowe (Rangers) | Christian Walker (Diamondbacks) |
| 8 | Nathaniel Lowe (Rangers) | Christian Walker (Diamondbacks) | Ty France (Mariners) | José Abreu (Astros) |
| 9 | Luis Arraez (Twins) | Luis Arraez (Twins) | José Abreu (Astros) | Luis Arraez (Twins) |
| 10 | Rhys Hoskins (Phillies) | Nathaniel Lowe (Rangers) | Christian Walker (Diamondbacks) | Vinnie Pasquantino (Royals) |
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