First base continues to be one of the most interesting positions in fantasy baseball, with established stars still producing at an elite level while a new generation of young hitters begins to make its mark. The 2026 season gave dynasty managers plenty to take away from the position, from breakout seasons and emerging prospects to disappointing campaigns and veterans who showed they still have plenty left in the tank.
With the season now in the books, here are 10 of the biggest dynasty takeaways from first base in 2026.
1. There is nothing to worry about with Nick Kurtz
If anything, 2026 should reinforce Nick Kurtz as the top dynasty first baseman. After an incredible rookie season that saw him hit 36 home runs with a 1.002 OPS, Kurtz dealt with an injury and saw his production dip to .256/.396/.483 with 21 home runs and a .879 OPS across 99 games in 2026. The power numbers were down, but there is no reason for dynasty managers to panic. His .396 OBP was actually higher than his rookie season, and he continued to show an elite ability to control the strike zone. His walk rate jumped from 12.9% to 18.2%, a six-point increase from last season, while his average exit velocity climbed from 92.7 MPH to 93.4 MPH. His max exit velocity also increased from 114.6 MPH to 115.9 MPH, while his hard-hit rate jumped from 51.1% to 57.3%.
The bigger picture is what matters here. Through his first 216 MLB games, Kurtz has 57 home runs, 155 RBI, and a .946 OPS, and he has already demonstrated that his combination of power and plate discipline can make him one of the best offensive first basemen in baseball. He also made the 2026 All-Star team despite playing just 99 games. There is still nothing to change my dynasty outlook on Kurtz. He remains the top dynasty option at first base and should continue to be viewed as one of the premier young bats in the game.
2. Ben Rice has officially arrived
Ben Rice has officially established himself as a legitimate dynasty asset at first base after taking another major step forward in 2026. The Yankees slugger hit .264/.363/.534 with 41 home runs, 97 RBI, and a .897 OPS across 154 games. After hitting 26 home runs in 2025, Rice took a significant step forward in the power department and proved that his ability to drive the ball at the major league level is very real. Rice was also arguably the Yankees’ most consistent hitter throughout the season, and from a fantasy perspective, he was an absolute monster.
Rice continues to be an elite fastball hitter, batting .296 with 26 home runs against the pitch in 2026. What is particularly encouraging for dynasty managers, however, is the improvement against breaking balls and off-speed pitches. Rice hit .225 with a .456 slugging percentage against breaking pitches, up from a .213 average and .463 slugging percentage last season, while his performance against off-speed pitches improved to a .242 average and .432 slugging percentage from .226 and .405 in 2025. His expected numbers against both pitch types also improved, showing that the development is not simply a product of results. If Rice can continue to close the gap against secondary pitches while maintaining his elite production against fastballs, there is a legitimate path for him to remain one of the more dangerous power hitters at the position for years to come.
3. Ralphy Velazquez could be the next dynasty star at the position
Nick Kurtz and Ben Rice may be leading the next wave of dynasty first basemen, but Ralphy Velazquez could be the next name to join that group. The Guardians prospect put together a monster 2026 season, hitting .290/.379/.548 with 29 home runs, 93 RBI, and a .927 OPS across 121 games. Even more impressive, 22 of those 29 home runs came at Triple-A, where Velazquez spent most of the season at just 21 years old. He also finished the year as Cleveland’s top prospect at the position and is currently listed with a 2027 ETA.
The power is what immediately stands out, but Velazquez offers more than just home run upside. MLB Pipeline gives him a 60 power grade and notes his ability to drive the ball to the pull side while also handling pitches on the outer third and using the opposite field. He also showed excellent production against advanced pitching throughout the season, including a ridiculous August in which he hit 15 home runs and posted a 1.506 OPS. With his combination of age, power, and plate discipline, Velazquez has a legitimate chance to become the next dynasty star at first base once he reaches Cleveland.
4. Sal Stewart officially arrived
One of the biggest dynasty developments of the season was Sal Stewart turning his prospect pedigree into legitimate MLB production. The Reds first baseman finished his first full major league season hitting .263/.330/.457 with 32 home runs, 112 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. The power immediately stands out, but the 15 stolen bases are what make Stewart particularly interesting from a fantasy perspective. First base is not typically a position where managers can expect meaningful stolen base production, so getting 30-plus home run potential with double-digit stolen base upside gives Stewart a very intriguing statistical foundation.
What makes the breakout even more encouraging is how consistent Stewart was against both sides. He hit .263 with a .321 OBP and .461 SLG against right-handed pitching while hitting .264/.355/.447 against lefties. The power was present in both splits as well, with 24 home runs against righties and eight against lefties. There is still one area Stewart will need to continue developing, however, and that is his quality of contact. His 41.6% hard-hit rate was above the MLB average but still leaves room for improvement, especially considering how strong many of his other offensive metrics were. If Stewart can continue to improve the quality of his contact while maintaining his plate discipline, power, and ability to contribute on the bases, he has the profile to become one of the more valuable young first basemen in dynasty leagues.
5. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a down year
It is hard to sugarcoat it: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a disappointing 2026 season. After hitting .292/.381/.467 with 23 home runs in 2025 and coming off a 2024 season in which he posted a .940 OPS with 30 home runs, Guerrero took a significant step backward this year. He finished the season hitting just .260/.332/.356 with nine home runs, 57 RBI, and seven stolen bases across 144 games, resulting in a .688 OPS. The power decline was particularly concerning, as Guerrero went from a 33.7% hard-hit rate in 2025 to just 28.7% in 2026, while his average exit velocity dropped from 92.0 MPH to 90.3 MPH.
That said, dynasty managers should be careful about overreacting to one bad season. Guerrero is still only 27 years old and has already demonstrated that he can be one of the best hitters in baseball. From 2021 through 2025, he hit .294 with 160 home runs, 495 RBI, and a .903 OPS, including three seasons with an OPS above .900. His 2026 season was a dramatic departure from that level of production, making it more reasonable to view this as a major warning sign rather than proof that his elite offensive ability has disappeared. The drop in contact quality is something dynasty managers should monitor closely, but this is also a player with too much proven production to simply write off after one down year.
For dynasty managers, Guerrero is probably one of the more interesting buy-low opportunities at the position. The price has undoubtedly fallen after a nine home run season, but the talent has not suddenly disappeared. If he can get his quality of contact back toward his career norms, a bounce back into the 25 to 35 home run range is very realistic. This is a situation where I would be willing to bet on the player rather than the 2026 results.
6. The older generation of first basemen is still on top
While the next generation of first basemen is beginning to emerge, the older generation is still firmly on top of the position. Rafael Devers, Bryce Harper, Matt Olson, and Pete Alonso all continued to provide major offensive production in 2026. Alonso led the group with 43 home runs and 113 RBI, Olson followed with 41 home runs and 93 RBI, while Devers posted 37 home runs, 98 RBI, and a .865 OPS. Harper also remained one of the game’s most productive bats, earning another All-Star selection despite splitting time between first base and the outfield.
Even Freddie Freeman, who has slowed down a little compared to the peak of his career, put together another excellent season. The Dodgers first baseman hit .288 with a .362 OBP across 153 games and continued to provide the consistent contact and on-base ability that has made him one of the best first basemen of his generation. The bigger takeaway for dynasty managers is that first base remains in great hands despite the position not being particularly young. The younger players are coming, but the established stars are still setting the standard and proving that first base continues to be one of the deepest offensive positions in baseball.
7. Bryce Eldridge could make a major fantasy leap
Bryce Eldridge is one of the first names dynasty managers should be watching closely as we look toward next season. The Giants used Eldridge primarily as a designated hitter in 2026, but he should gain first base eligibility moving forward, which could significantly increase his fantasy value. The 6-foot-7, 250-plus-pound slugger finished the season with a .269/.364/.461 slash line, 17 home runs and a .825 OPS, and the underlying metrics are extremely encouraging. His 92.7 MPH average exit velocity and 52.2% hard-hit rate both ranked in the 95th percentile or better, while his 113.4 MPH max exit velocity shows just how much raw power he possesses.
Eldridge is also a pure fastball hitter at this stage of his development, batting .302 against fastballs with 10 of his 17 home runs coming against the pitch. The biggest hurdle will be continuing to identify and execute against off-speed and breaking pitches. That development will ultimately determine just how quickly he can reach his ceiling, but the hit tool has legitimate elite potential when you combine his size, contact quality, and ability to control the strike zone. If Eldridge can make that adjustment against secondary pitches, there is a real chance he could establish himself as a top-five fantasy first baseman as early as next season.
8. Luis García Jr. could continue his breakout with the Yankees
Luis García Jr. is another name dynasty managers should keep an eye on heading into next season. After being acquired by the Yankees, García’s overall 2026 numbers were impressive, finishing with a .277/.309/.521 slash line, 30 home runs, and 92 RBI. His production with New York was not quite as strong, as he hit .264/.302/.434 with seven home runs in 43 games, but there is plenty to like about the underlying profile. García has a swing that should play extremely well in Yankee Stadium, and his Statcast numbers back up the idea that there is more power in the bat than his Yankees numbers showed. His 46.1% hard-hit rate, 91.4 MPH average exit velocity, and 12.2% barrel rate were all above league average in 2026.
The biggest area García will need to improve is his production against left-handed pitching. He hit just .244/.287/.366 against lefties compared to .283/.314/.551 against righties, creating a noticeable platoon split. If he can make adjustments against left-handed pitching while continuing to tap into the quality of contact he showed throughout the season, there is a real chance García can carry his production into New York and establish himself as one of the better fantasy first base options in baseball. With the combination of his swing, Yankee Stadium, and above-average underlying contact metrics, there is plenty of reason to believe his best fantasy seasons could still be ahead of him.
9. Miguel Vargas quietly became one of the best fantasy first basemen
Miguel Vargas is probably one of the more underrated first base stories from the 2026 season. He finished the year with a .250/.363/.475 slash line, 33 home runs, 93 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. The combination of power, on-base ability, and speed makes Vargas especially interesting in dynasty leagues because he provides a skill set that is difficult to find at first base. His 22 stolen bases were particularly valuable at a position where most players contribute very little in that category.
The biggest question heading into 2027 will be whether Vargas can maintain this level of production. The .250 batting average is not necessarily ideal for a first baseman, but the 101 walks and .363 OBP help offset some of that concern. If the power and stolen bases remain part of his profile, Vargas has a legitimate chance to establish himself as one of the more complete fantasy options at the position. For dynasty managers, this feels like a player who could still be undervalued despite already putting together a very productive season.
10. First base is becoming one of the deepest positions in fantasy baseball
One of the biggest takeaways from 2026 is just how deep first base has become. Pete Alonso led first basemen with 43 home runs and 113 RBI, but he was followed by Matt Olson with 41 home runs, Rafael Devers with 37, Ben Rice with 41, Miguel Vargas with 33, and Sal Stewart with 32. There is also plenty of additional talent behind that group, making it increasingly difficult to argue that first base is a position where dynasty managers need to panic if they do not have one of the elite names.
That depth is especially important for dynasty leagues because the position is undergoing a transition. Players like Kurtz, Rice, Stewart, and Velazquez represent the next generation, while Alonso, Olson, Devers, Harper, and Freeman are still producing at a high level. MLB’s 2026 first base rankings also highlighted how much young talent has entered the position, following Kurtz’s breakout rookie season in 2025. The takeaway for dynasty managers is that first base may actually be one of the easier positions to build around over the next several seasons.
Photo by Icon Sportswire | Featured Image by Justin Redler (@reldernitsuj on Bsky/Twitter)
