- Greg Shelley
- Jan 30, 2023
- 3 min read
Like many of the positions we will review for the upcoming 2023 Draft, the first base Free Agent Class is loaded at the top with potentially two $50+ options available in Auction. Freddie Freeman is the class of the position after leading all first baseman in scoring last season with plenty left in the tank as he enters his age 33 season in Los Angeles.
It's rare to have any first base prospects take full ownership of a job on Opening Day, but 2023 projects to mark two important activations for the Maltese Falcons and Spokane Fightin' Fish with Triston Casas and Vinnie Pasquantino both ready to produce at the big league level.
Top RDBL Free Agents | Top Trade Candidates |
1. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers 2. Pete Alonso, Mets 3. Nate Lowe, Rangers 4. *Josh Bell, Guardians 5. Darick Hall, Phillies *Currently Projected to be Released | 1. Matt Olson (2/$46), Goutfish 2. Anthony Rizzo (2/$17), Falcons 3. Brandon Belt (3/$3), Devils 4. Rowdy Tellez (2D/$5), Falcons 5. Trey Mancinci (2/$14), Fish |
Top Available Prospects | Top RDBL Prospects |
1. Kyle Manzardo, Rays 2. Matt Mervis, Cubs 3. Jordan Diaz, Athletics 4. Michael Toglia, Rockies 5. Grant Lavigne, Rockes | 1. Triston Casas, Falcons 2. Vinnie Pasquantino, Fish 3. Tyler Soderstrom, Devils 4. Nick Pratto, Clovers 5. Ivan Melendez, Aristocrats |
2022 Rankings | 2023 Projections |
1. Freddie Freeman (FA), 553.5 2. Paul Goldschmidt (Heads), 534.5 3. Pete Alonso (FA), 462.0 4. Jose Abreu (Jokers), 446.5 5. Vlad Guerrero, Jr. (Stacks), 441.5 | 1. Paul Goldschmidt (Heads), 543.0 2. Freddie Freeman (FA), 513.0 3. Vlad Guerrero, Jr. (Stacks), 448.0 4. Pete Alonso (FA), 440.5 5. Jose Abreu (Jokers), 419.0 |
Team Needs
Five teams currently project to have clear needs at first base with the Idaho Taters, Asti Grape Stompers, Cloverdale Clovers, Las Vegas Aristocrats likely focused on the position while the Lake Merced Goutfish are also likely to have a need with a likely deal of Matt Olson expected soon.
Activation Candidates
The first base position generally has the highest age group and the smallest number of activations due to clubs looking to hold the position for aging veterans. The group will be infused with two young talents in 2023 though as Triston Casas (Falcons) and Vinnie Pasquantino (Fish) make the jump onto their team's active rosters. Pasquantino was added to the Fightin' Fish Playoff roster last season while the Red Sox have cleared the way for Casas in Boston, making him a strong candidate for 450+ plate appearances this season.
Top Free Agent
Only Aaron Judge outscored Freddie Freeman among all hitters in 2022, lining up the Dodgers first baseman for a monster payday in the 2023 Auction. Freeman has been among the most consistent hitters in the RDBL, posting 500+ points in five of his last six full seasons while adding the National League MVP in the shortened 2020 season.
Under the Radar Free Agent
Coming off a 25 home run season with 500 at-bats, and no issues with playing time for 2023, expected drop Seth Brown could have himself a market to round out an RDBL offensive lineup. He finished in the 90th percentile in barrel rate last season, making some improvements as the year went by on his approach despite 146 strikeouts overall. A slight tick up in his walk rate could push him over the 300 point mark in 2023.
Top Trade Candidate
The Goutfish have had strong interest in Matt Olson during the RDBL's quiet period with an expectation that he could be moved quickly when the 2023 season officially starts on Wednesday. Olson smashed 34 home runs in 2022, the first year of a new $46 contract with the Lake Merced Goutfish where he had previously finished his rookie contract while helping lead them to a RDBL Title in 2021. Olson dominated in April, slashing .293/.398/.476 while looking like a Draft Day steal. Things would creep downward as the season went on with Olson hitting just .219 in the second half, though it came with 17 home runs and an elite .462 slugging percentage. The shift ban might add a few hits to his box score in 2023, adding to his prolific power making him a candidate to approach his career best 483.0 point output in 2021 this season.
Top Prospect Available
Rays first baseman Kyle Manzardo is more than just a prospect with a close ETA. He hit .327/.426/.617 with 22 homers, 26 doubles, 81 RBIs and nearly as many walks (59) as strikeouts (65) in 93 games between High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery. While he will need another year of seasoning, Manzardo could push his way into Tampa Bay late in the season and position himself for a 2024 activation which had him projected as the 9th overall pick in the 2023 Mock Reserve Draft.
Top RDBL Prospect
There’s little doubt that the first-base gig is Triston Casas’ now. The official release of Eric Hosmer on Dec. 22 made sure that Casas was the only American Heritage High School alum going for a spot at Fenway Park’s cold corner. Bobby Dalbec does provide a right-handed option, but his subpar 2022 campaign should have taken him out of the running. Casas showed signs of his promising power and good defense in his 27 games with the Sox last year, and that may have been enough to keep them from chasing other first-base options in the winter. The Falcons were planning to play things slow with Casas, but with Hosmer out the door the club is likely to make the move on his Opening Day activation.
