welcome
ESPN

ESPN

Sports

Sports

Kurkjian: Who's on first? A closer look at the decline of the first baseman

ESPN
Summary
Nutrition label

79% Informative

In 2024 , major league first basemen batted246, their lowest total since 1900 and their OPS of736.

The days of classic first baseman such as John Olerud , Don Mattingly , Mark Grace seem to be over for now.

"The numbers don't lie. It's not as important, or as productive, as it was''.

First basemen have had the biggest drop in OPS among all positions since 2015 , ESPN Research says.

Buck Showalter : "These are strange times. If you have a good first baseman these days , it's gold" Bobby Valentine : "We are looking for smaller guys, shorter guys to play first base these days ".

Anthony Rizzo , a free agent, only plays first base.

Of the 30 primary first basemen in the major leagues, only four throw left-handed.

There is hope that things at first base can, and will, change.

Princeton 's baseball coach: "We're going to get back to sluggers like Triston Casas'' .

VR Score

87

Informative language

89

Neutral language

55

Article tone

informal

Language

English

Language complexity

25

Offensive language

not offensive

Hate speech

not hateful

Attention-grabbing headline

not detected

Known propaganda techniques

not detected

Time-value

short-lived

Source diversity

1

Affiliate links

no affiliate links