Season Preview: Bryce Harper might be the best first baseman in all of Major League Baseball

It still sounds strange to say it, but Bryce Harper is a first baseman now—and not just any first baseman, but arguably the best in Major League Baseball.

In just over a year, Harper went from recovering from Tommy John surgery to learning an entirely new position, all while remaining the face of the Phillies’ franchise and one of the most feared hitters in baseball.

And if you look at the numbers, the Phillies might actually be underpaying their MVP first baseman.

Bryce Harper since signing with the Philadelphia Phillies

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First base is traditionally home to some of the best power hitters in baseball—Freddie Freeman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Pete Alonso, and Paul Goldschmidt are just a few of the big names who have anchored their lineups from the position.

And yet, Harper outproduced almost all of them in 2024, earning a Silver Slugger in his first full season as a first baseman.

Harper’s 2024 season:

• .285/.373/.525 slash line
• 30 home runs
• 87 RBIs
• Sixth in NL MVP voting

That’s a monster season, and he wasn’t even fully healthy. He battled through some prolonged home run droughts and still finished as one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball.

Then there’s his defense, which, shockingly, has been good. Harper was a Gold Glove finalist at first base last season, an incredible feat for someone playing the position for the first time in his career.

The only first baseman who can truly challenge Harper for the title of best in the game right now is Freddie Freeman, and at 35 years old, Freeman might be on the verge of decline.

NL East First Basemen:

Team	First Baseman (Age)	2024 Stats	2025 Projections	Career WAR
Phillies	Bryce Harper (32)	.285, 30 HR, 87 RBI	.278, 24 HR, 76 RBI	51.1
Braves	Matt Olson (30)	.247, 29 HR, 98 RBI	.254, 32 HR, 95 RBI	32.8
Mets	Pete Alonso (30)	.240, 34 HR, 88 RBI	.241, 34 HR, 94 RBI	19.8
Marlins	Jonah Bride (29)	.276, 11 HR, 39 RBI	.239, 9 HR, 37 RBI	0.5
Nationals	Nathaniel Lowe (29)	.265, 16 HR, 69 RBI	.269, 17 HR, 65 RBI	11.5

Harper, even in a “down” year, was the best all-around first baseman in the NL East in 2024. He gets on base more than Alonso or Olson, has a higher slugging percentage, and is a better overall hitter than anyone else in the division.

Alonso and Olson can hit more home runs, but they strike out more and don’t get on base as much. Meanwhile, the Marlins and Nationals are essentially renting first basemen until one of their prospects emerges.

Harper isn’t just the best first baseman in the division, he might already be the best in baseball—and he’s still getting better at the position.

The Phillies aren’t grooming anyone to take over for Harper.

Of the Phillies’ top 30 prospects, none of them play first base—and that’s probably by design. Harper is under contract through 2031, and even if his defense takes a hit down the line, he can still DH.

When Harper gets a day off, Alec Bohm is the backup option at first, but for the most part, this is Harper’s job for the long haul.

And honestly, the Phillies wouldn’t want it any other way.

The Greatest Showman: Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper signed with the Phillies 6 years ago today pic.twitter.com/3JWjopPyvi

— John Foley (@2008Philz) February 28, 2025

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