Now that the NFL season if officially over, it’s time to start looking ahead to baseball season. Today will be the first installment of MMO’s NL East Positional Rankings. We will start this series by looking at the division’s first basemen.

No. 5 Josh Bell

It doesn’t feel right putting Josh Bell at the bottom of this list after his All-Star campaign in 2019. He belted 37 home runs with a .936 OPS that season, but his inconsistency and poor fielding dampen his 2021 outlook.

Bell slashed just .226/.305/.364 in 57 games last year, and his numbers prior to 2019 aren’t all that spectacular. From 2016 to 2018, he posted a .784 OPS and 110 OPS+.

A fresh start in Washington might help Bell rebound this year, but he’ll probably produce more like the 110 OPS + hitter that he was for most of his career instead of the 142 OPS + hitter than we saw in 2019.

Additionally, Bell’s defensive limitations make it difficult for him to provide great value, even if his hitting rebounds from a rough 2020. In five MLB seasons, Bell has a -32 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) and a 2.6 bWAR.

No. 4 Jesus Aguilar

After struggling in 2019, Jesus Aguilar bounced back with a .277/.352/.457 triple slash line and eight home runs over 51 games for Miami. Sure, it’s a small sample size, but these numbers are in line with his career averages.

In 499 career games, Aguilar owns a slash line of .259/.336/.470 and 112 OPS+. While it’s doubtful that he can replicate his best season that featured 35 home runs with the Brewers in 2018, he should still be a solid contributor in the heart of the Marlins’ order.

Given that both Aguilar and Bell have similar career hitting numbers (Aguilar 112 OPS +, Bell 116 OPS +), Aguilar gets the edge because of defense. Aguilar’s career DRS at first base is 6, while Bell’s career DRS is -32.

No. 3 Rhys Hoskins

It’s easy to overlook Rhys Hoskins due to his career .239 average, but if you take a deeper look at his numbers, he’s a better hitter than he appears.

Despite his low average, Hoskins’ plate discipline allows him to get on base at a good clip. In 2018, he led the league in walks (116), and he owns a career OBP of .366.

Hoskins also ranks among the league’s better power hitters. Since his debut season in 2017, Hoskins’ Isolated Slugging Percentage (.255) places 17th among qualified MLB hitters, ahead of notable players like Luke Voit (.254), Jorge Soler (.252), and Eugenio Suarez (.251).

Hoskins blasted 18 home runs in 50 games as a rookie. He then averaged 32 homeruns per season in 2018 and 2017, and he would have likely exceeded the 30-home run plateau again if the MLB played a full season in 2020. He hit ten in 41 games last year.

Hoskins isn’t a perfect player, but he does two things well. He gets on base, and he hits for power. Those two factors are enough to place him third on this list.

No. 2 Pete Alonso

Even in a down season, Pete Alonso still hit 16 home runs in 57 games while also managing to post a higher OPS than two of the players on this list. Alonso’s .817 OPS is better than both Bell and Aguilar’s, despite being stuck in a slump for most of the shortened season.

The 2019 home run king would have no doubt turned things around if he had a full 162 games to play. While he wasn’t as locked in as his rookie season, a .242 BABIP likely dragged down his numbers, and he still pummeled the baseball. His barrel percentage ranked in the 84th percentile of MLB hitters, and his exit velocity ranked in the 73rd percentile.

Alonso should improve off his .231/.326/.490 triple slash line from last season, and he will continue to be one of the league’s most feared sluggers. In 2019, Alonso smashed 53 home runs, breaking the MLB rookie record.

No. 1 Freddie Freeman

As powerful as Pete Alonso is, there’s no way he could supplant Freddie Freeman as the top first baseman in the division. Freeman’s track record, consistency, and overall elite production make him the undisputed choice for the number one spot on this list.

Freeman, the reigning NL MVP, batted .341/.462/.640 while hitting 13 home runs and 53 RBI in 60 games in 2020. He also led the league in runs scored (51) and doubles (23).

And over his eleven-year career, Freeman owns a career .295 batting average with a .892 OPS and 139 OPS+. There’s no reason to think that Freeman won’t put up superstar numbers once again in 2021.

Stay tuned for next week as we rank the best second basemen in the NL East. Will Jeff McNeil beat out Ozzie Albies and others for the top spot?