The 2025 MLB season will begin in the coming weeks, with newly stacked lineups and teams addressing the need for power and production from the first base position. First base has traditionally been reserved for that middle-of-the-lineup hitter, the impact players. These are the ones that managers typically like to see up at the plate during times of high leverage and during pivotal matchups.
The names of power hitters and run producers throughout baseball history now decorate the walls of Cooperstown with illustrious and commemorative plaques. The position has come to personify the ideal home run hitter from Lou Gehrig to Jimmie Foxx or Willie McCovey to Mark McGwire.
In recent years, the first base position has evolved in some ways. Like most modern positional players, today’s first baseman might be called upon to play other positions. This is good news and a point to consider for 2025 MLB and fantasy baseball. A team might not only see optimum power production from these guys at 1B, but also in other areas. The following elite power hitters and run production specialists can be penciled in at several positions where they have proven themselves capable and eligible to play.
Vladdy has once again emerged as the pre-eminent favorite pick at 1B for the 2025 MLB season. After two subpar years for his standards, he has catapulted his offensive numbers back toward being among the game’s best. In a contract year, Vladdy controls his own destiny. He will be looking to post a career year at the plate and then go to the highest bidder in free agency. He should get some reps at third, which will help fill fantasy lineups throughout the season.
The former National League Rookie of the Year (2017) and MVP (2019) has proven, at the age of 29, that he still has star potential. His numbers last season with the Cubs were respectable, and with the short porch in Yankee Stadium, a 30-30 season from Bellinger is not at all out of the question. He will be called upon to start at each position listed here for the 2025 MLB season. A very versatile and capable player for fantasy managers to consider.
Perez will be behind the dish for most of the season for the Royals. They will want to preserve his health and keep his bat in the lineup for multiple seasons. That is why, at 34, Perez is beginning to transition to 1B and DH occasionally. His bat and power numbers have ranked among the best for catchers and first basemen over the past four years. Fantasy managers would be wise to take Perez early, as his durability and positional eligibility will be highly sought after.
Burger can still rake, and despite having played on what were rather dismal White Sox and Marlins squads, he still pushed around 30 home runs and 80-plus RBI annually. Burger will likely play less often in the Rangers lineup, but he will get into games in the positions listed and might get some left-field reps. The power-hitting Burger has a diverse positional repertoire.
Burleson keeps improving in the power department and will be called upon to help ignite a relatively thin Cardinals batting order. He offers positional eligibility and production at the plate. At 26, Burleson has begun to prove himself as a reliable, clutch hitter who has not yet hit his potential ceiling. Look for him to push 30 home runs while regularly moving from the infield to the outfield on any given day.
The 2025 MLB season will feature players whose athleticism will call for them to play all over the field. Of course, there will still be mainstays at the first base position, where massive production and power numbers will still be the norm. For every Tristan Casas and Freddie Freeman, there will be one of the fine players listed above, who will be called upon to man the one sack but also be readily available to play elsewhere if necessary. The 2025 MLB season will offer both of these scenarios.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!
