This article is part of our Farm Futures series.
Good first base prospects are rare because there is nowhere for them to go if they don't hit enough to play first base, and we usually have a pretty good idea when they are at High-A or Double-A if them hitting enough to play first base is a realistic possibility.
There are players like Alex Kirilloff and Alec Bohm who I listed here because I think they fit best at first base. Bohm, in particular, may debut at another position, but I think he spends the bulk of his big-league career at first base. This is also the article where the designated hitter types get listed. As Jayson Stark detailed for The Athletic, the DH could come to the National League for the 2022 season, while Jim Bowden says it could come as early as the 2021 season, so keep that in mind with players like Bohm (it would be Rhys Hoskins moving to DH) and Seth Beer.
Reminder: these tiers are for dynasty leagues, not redraft leagues.
TIER ONE
1. Andrew Vaughn, White Sox
2. Alex Kirilloff, Twins
Both of these guys have a fairly similar realistic outcome (high AVG, 30-plus HR), but Vaughn has a higher OBP and power ceiling, which is why he is ranked higher. Kirilloff's chances of making an impact in 2020 took a hit with the Josh Donaldson signing, but he could still come up if injuries open something up in the outfield or at first base. Long term, Miguel
Good first base prospects are rare because there is nowhere for them to go if they don't hit enough to play first base, and we usually have a pretty good idea when they are at High-A or Double-A if them hitting enough to play first base is a realistic possibility.
There are players like Alex Kirilloff and Alec Bohm who I listed here because I think they fit best at first base. Bohm, in particular, may debut at another position, but I think he spends the bulk of his big-league career at first base. This is also the article where the designated hitter types get listed. As Jayson Stark detailed for The Athletic, the DH could come to the National League for the 2022 season, while Jim Bowden says it could come as early as the 2021 season, so keep that in mind with players like Bohm (it would be Rhys Hoskins moving to DH) and Seth Beer.
Reminder: these tiers are for dynasty leagues, not redraft leagues.
TIER ONE
1. Andrew Vaughn, White Sox
2. Alex Kirilloff, Twins
Both of these guys have a fairly similar realistic outcome (high AVG, 30-plus HR), but Vaughn has a higher OBP and power ceiling, which is why he is ranked higher. Kirilloff's chances of making an impact in 2020 took a hit with the Josh Donaldson signing, but he could still come up if injuries open something up in the outfield or at first base. Long term, Miguel Sano should replace Nelson Cruz as the DH.
TIER TWO
3. Evan White, Mariners
4. Alec Bohm, Phillies
White will probably break camp on the Opening Day roster. He could very easily struggle out of the gate after skipping Triple-A, but he makes for a nice consolation prize if you miss out on the Eric Hosmer/Daniel Murphy types. Bohm will probably debut sometime this summer, which could shift Scott Kingery to center field, but injuries could also open something up.
TIER THREE
5. Triston Casas, Red Sox
Alone in Tier Three, Casas would be up in Tier Two if he were set to reach the majors this season, like White and Bohm. Instead he will probably debut in 2021 or 2022. He could need a right-handed platoon partner.
TIER FOUR
6. Michael Toglia, Rockies
7. Lewin Diaz, Marlins
8. Seth Beer, Diamondbacks
There is a gigantic chasm between Tier Three and Tier Four. These guys should be owned in most dynasty leagues, but they shouldn't be prized commodities. Toglia has the highest ceiling. Diaz has proximity on his side. Beer would likely perform well if he were to get on the strong side of a platoon.
TIER FIVE
9. Mason Martin, Pirates
10. Edwin Rios, Dodgers
11. Bobby Bradley, Indians
Martin should get to Pittsburgh just in time for the DH to come to the NL, in which case Josh Bell would be the DH. However, I expect the Pirates to move Bell to an AL team if the opportunity presents itself in the next year or two. Rios and Bradley are basically in the same boat — not much to prove in the minors, unclear path to playing time in the majors.
Honorable Mention: Taylor Jones, Drew Mendoza, Bryce Ball, Nick Pratto, Pavin Smith, Alfonso Rivas, Jhonkensy Noel, Kevin Cron, Dermis Garcia, Tyler Nevin, Logan Wyatt, Ryan Noda, Gavin Sheets, Mahki Backstrom, Grant Lavigne, Luken Baker, Chris Gittens, Jhailyn Ortiz, Joe Naranjo, Ernesto Martinez, Will Craig, Rangel Ravelo, Tyreque Reed
