Best Defensive First Basemen in MLB History

Who's on first? The greatest glovemen at the position.

Besides catchers, first basemen wear the most unusual gloves on the field. A first basemen’s mitt has a continuous round edge to help scoop up balls thrown in the dirt by infielders. For low throws against fast runners, it helps if a first sacker can stretch, but nobody expects them to be speedsters.

Those big, bulky guys at first base are in the lineup to hit home runs — not to steal bases or leg out infield hits. But it doesn’t hurt a team when its first bagger is good with the glove.

These are the best defensive first basemen in MLB history, ranked by career fielding percentage.

Honorable Mention

Mark Grace won four Gold Gloves in his career. John Swart / AP Photo

Some big-name first basemen didn’t make the cut with their career fielding percentage. They include:

Mark Grace: .9946
Rafael Palmeiro: .9943
Pete Rose: .9941
Lee May: .9937
Mark McGwire: .9934
Joe Torre: .9929
Eddie Murray: .9928
Will Clark: .9925
Gil Hodges: .9925
Bill Buckner: .9917
Willie Stargell: .9913
Lou Gehrig: .9907

45. Keith Hernandez

Keith Hernandez won 11 Gold Gloves. Ray Stubblebine / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9942

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians

Years in MLB: 17 seasons (1974-90)

Bottom Line: Keith Hernandez

Keith Hernandez was a five-time All-Star. Wilbur Funches / AP Photo

We couldn’t leave Keith Hernandez off a list of the best defensive first basemen — even though this is supposed to be a top 25 list and Hernandez ranks 45th in career fielding percentage for first basemen (tied with four other players).

Hernandez won 11 Gold Gloves at first, more than any other first baseman ever, and two World Series. And he won those Gold Gloves in 11 straight seasons, also an MLB record.

That’s why Hernandez gets his own entry. He deserved more than an honorable mention.

24. Tino Martinez (Tied)

Tino Martinez was a fan favorite playing for the Yankees. Julie Jacobson / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9951

Teams: Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Years in MLB: 16 seasons (1990-2005)

Bottom Line: Tino Martinez

Tino Martinez made over $50 million in salary during his career. Julie Jacobson / AP Photo

Tino Martinez played 16 seasons in the big leagues, and his greatest achievements happened when he wore the New York Yankees pinstripes (1996-2001).

Once a third baseman, Martinez succeeded Don Mattingly as the starting first baseman for the Yanks and was part of World Series championships in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Martinez also was a two-time All-Star who won the Silver Slugger Award in 1997.

24. Lucas Duda (Tied)

Lucas Duda was a seventh-round pick in the 2007 MLB draft. Charlie Riedel / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9951

Teams: New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves

Years in MLB: 10 seasons (2010-19)

Bottom Line: Lucas Duda

Lucas Duda played 126 games with the Royals. Carlos Osorio / AP Photo

Lucas Duda grew up in California and was nicknamed “The Big Lebowski” and “The Dude.”

His early years in the major leagues — after being drafted by the New York Mets — were spent playing in the outfield and nursing injuries.

A lefty who bats right-handed, his stats soared in 2014 when the Mets moved him to first base, and he led the team in home runs (30) and RBI (92).

22. Paul Konerko (Tied)

Paul Konerko was a six-time All-Star. Chris O’Meara / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9952

Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox

Years in MLB: 18 seasons (1997-2014)

Bottom Line: Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko, right, won a World Series with the White Sox in 2005. David Kadlubowski / AP Photo

Paul Konerko was a star in Chicago from 1999 to 2014, where he helped the White Sox win the 2005 World Series — the team’s first championship since 1917.

He hit the first World Series grand slam in franchise history that fall and, after winning everything, turned down lucrative offers from other teams to remain with the South Siders.

The first baseman was rewarded by being named captain of the team in 2006, a role he held until he retired (along with his No. 14 jersey) as a six-time All-Star.

22. Rico Brogna (Tied)

Rico Brogna made only 33 errors in 6,924 fielding chances in his career. ReadingFightins / Twitter

Career fielding percentage: .9952

Teams: Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves

Years in MLB: 9 seasons (1992, 1994-2001)

Bottom Line: Rico Brogna

Rico Brogna was the 26th pick in the 1988 MLB draft. This month in Philadelphia baseball / Facebook

Rico Brogna was a first-round pick by the Detroit Tigers in the 1988 draft (26th overall) and played first base for six different teams in a nine-year career.

In 1999, he hit 24 home runs and was the first player to ever hit one out at the new Coors Field in Colorado.

Brogna survived a form of spinal arthritis during his playing career and testicular cancer while he was working post-career with the Los Angeles Angels.

17. David Segui (Tied)

David Segui made his major league debut in 1990. Linda Kaye / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9954

Teams: Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians

Years in MLB: 15 seasons (1990-2004)

Bottom Line: David Segui

David Segui played college ball at Louisiana Tech. Dave Mammond / AP Photo

David Segui was the son of Cuban-American major league pitcher Diego Segui and played first base, but David had one thing in common with his dad: Each played on seven different teams during their careers.

David broke into the major leagues in 1990 with the Baltimore Orioles and ended up playing the first four and the last four seasons of his career with the Orioles.

17. Anthony Rizzo (Tied)

Anthony Rizzo won four Gold Gloves in his first 10 seasons. Ross D. Franklin / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9954

Teams: San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs

Years in MLB: 10 seasons (2011-present)

Bottom Line: Anthony Rizzo

Anthony Rizzo is one of the best first basemen in today’s game. Wilfredo Lee / AP Photo

Anthony Rizzo became an everyday player at first base with the Cubs and has developed into one of the most consistent players in the majors.

After San Diego traded him to Chicago in 2012, Rizzo played in three straight All-Star Games (2014-16).

His big year was 2016, when the Cubs won the World Series and Rizzo won the Silver Slugger Award, the Gold Glove Award and the Roberto Clemente Award.

17. John Olerud (Tied)

John Olerud helped the Blue Jays win two World Series. Mark J. Terrill / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9954

Teams: Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox

Years in MLB: 17 seasons (1989-2005)

Bottom Line: John Olerud

John Olerud had a great glove. Bill Kostroun / AP Photo

John Olerud was known for wearing a batting helmet while he played first base — to protect his head after he’d suffered a brain aneurysm while playing college baseball for Washington State.

He shined during his time with the Toronto Blue Jays (1989 to 1996), winning World Series titles in 1992 and 1993 (the year he was the AL batting champ).

The three-time Gold Glove Award winner made the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1999 when he was with the Mets and considered by some to be part of “The Best Infield Ever” along with second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo, shortstop Rey Ordonez and third baseman Robin Ventura.

17. Adrian Gonzalez (Tied)

Adrian Gonzalez was a five-time All-Star. David Zalubowski / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9954

Teams: Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets

Years in MLB: 15 seasons (2004-18)

Bottom Line: Adrian Gonzalez

Adrian Gonzalez, right, won four Gold Gloves. Gary Landers / AP Photo

Adrian Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 draft by the Florida Marlins, who traded him to the Texas Rangers, where he made his big league debut.

In 2005, Gonzalez was traded to San Diego (his hometown), where he was a three-time All-Star team selection and a two-time Gold Glove Award winner.

One of his Gold Glove years was 2008, when Gonzalez hit 36 home runs and notched 119 RBI.

17. Sean Casey (Tied)

Sean Casey went to Upper St. Clair High School in Pennsylvania. Al Behrman / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9954

Teams: Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox

Years in MLB: 12 seasons (1997-2008)

Bottom Line: Sean Casey

Sean Casey, right, was known as “The Mayor.” Al Behrman / AP Photo

When he played first base for the Cincinnati Reds, Sean Casey picked up the nickname “The Mayor” for two reasons — his off-field charity work and the fact that he casually chatted up every player who reached the bag at first.

In 2007, Casey was named “Friendliest Player in Baseball” by a player poll conducted by Sports Illustrated.

The three-time All-Star was also one of the slowest players in the game. The lefty grounded into 27 double plays in 2005.

15. J.T. Snow (Tied)

J.T. Snow played 16 seasons in the majors. Susan Sterner / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9955

Teams: New York Yankees, California Angels, San Francisco, Boston

Years in MLB: 16 (1992-2006)

Bottom Line: J.T. Snow

J.T. Snow won six Gold Gloves. James A. Finley / AP Photo

Over his entire MLB career — including nine years with San Francisco — J.T. Snow played all but two games at first base.

The six-time Gold Glove winner is the son of NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver Jack Snow (Los Angeles Rams).

At the end of the 2006 season, Snow began doing color commentating on Giants radio broadcasts and has served as a special adviser to the Giants general manager.

15. Darin Erstad (Tied)

Darin Erstad played 627 games at first base and 887 in the outfield. Tammy Lechner / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9955

Teams: Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros

Years in MLB: 14 seasons (1996-2009)

Bottom Line: Darin Erstad

Darin Erstad won three Gold Gloves. Keith Srakocic / AP Photo

The lefty from North Dakota was a standout prep athlete who kicked a 50-yard field goal for the Jamestown High football team, scored 36 goals for the hockey team and held state titles in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles.

Choosing baseball, the two-time All-Star played more games in the outfield (887) than at first base (627) over 14 seasons but had a great glove wherever he was positioned in the field. He also had eight walk-off RBI in his career and won the Gold Glove Award three times and the Silver Slugger Award once.

After his playing days, Erstad was the head baseball coach at the University of Nebraska for eight seasons from 2011 to 2019.

13. Wes Parker (Tied)

Wes Parker played his whole career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jim Kerlin / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9957

Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers

Years in MLB: 9 seasons (1964-72)

Bottom Line: Wes Parker

Wes Parker won six Gold Gloves. Ticketron / Wikimedia Commons

Known as one of the finest fielding first basemen of all time, Wes Parker was part of the Dodgers teams that played in the World Series in 1965 and 1966.

He won the NL Gold Glove Award every year from 1967 to 1972. He also was named to the MLB All-Time Gold Glove Team, but he’s ineligible to be considered for the Hall of Fame because he fell one year short of the minimum requirement for consideration.

Fun fact: In 1970, Parker played himself in an episode of “The Brady Bunch.”

13. Mitch Moreland (Tied)

Mitch Moreland, left, played at Mississippi State. Julio Cortez / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9958

Teams: Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox

Years in MLB: 11 (2010-present)

Bottom Line: Mitch Moreland

Mitch Moreland was 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, and very flexible. Eric Gay / AP Photo

Mitch Moreland won the Gold Glove Award once (2016). In 2018, he was selected to the All-Star team as the Boston Red Sox went on to win the World Series.

Playing for Mississippi State, he batted .343 with 10 home runs, and also went 2-0 on the pitcher’s mound with a 3.46 ERA.

Moreland pitched just twice in the majors — both times in mop-up roles with his teams trailing by double digits.

12. Don Mattingly

Don Mattingly won nine Gold Gloves. Ed Reinke / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9958

Teams: New York Yankees

Years in MLB: 14 seasons (1982-95)

Bottom Line: Don Mattingly

The only thing missing from Don Mattingly’s resume was a World Series ring. G. Paul Burnett / AP Photo

“Donnie Baseball” spent his entire 14-year playing career with the New York Yankees and was a six-time All-Star.

He became the Yanks’ starting first baseman in 1983 and won nine Gold Glove Awards (an AL record for one-baggers) and three Silver Slugger Awards. He was the team captain from 1991 to 1995 and is the only Yankee to have his number retired (No. 23) who didn’t win a World Series with the team.

Mattingly later managed the Los Angeles Dodgers for five years and is the current Miami Marlins manager since 2016.

10. Justin Smoak (Tied)

Justin Smoak was drafted twice — in 2005 (16th round) and 2008 (first round). Paul Sancya / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9959

Teams: Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays

Years in MLB: 11 seasons (2010-present)

Bottom Line: Justin Smoak

Justin Smoak was an All-Star in 2017. Julie Jacobson / AP Photo

After setting the career home run record (62) as a South Carolina Gamecock, Justin Smoak was the 11th pick overall in the 2008 draft, by the Texas Rangers.

You gotta love the records set by slow-afoot first basemen: In 2015, he broke and set a new career record for most plate appearances to open a career without hitting a triple (2,317).

His lone appearance in the All-Star Game came in 2017.

10. Steve Garvey (Tied)

Steve Garvey won four Gold Gloves. AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9959

Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres

Years in MLB: 19 seasons (1969-87)

Bottom Line: Steve Garvey

Steve Garvey played 14 years with the Dodgers. PS / AP Photo

Steve Garvey was a 10-time All-Star who won a World Series ring in 1981 with the Los Angeles Dodgers after picking up four straight Gold Glove Awards (1974 to 1977).

After the San Diego Padres outbid the Dodgers to pick up his contract, Garvey went on to break the NL record for consecutive games played — breaking the mark wearing Padres colors in Dodgers Stadium.

San Diegans will never forget how Garvey got the Padres into their first World Series with a walk-off homer in Game 4 of the 1984 NLCS against the Cubs.

9. Justin Morneau

Justin Morneau was the American League MVP in 2006. Ross D. Franklin / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9960

Teams: Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox

Years in MLB: 14 seasons (2003-2016)

Bottom Line: Justin Morneau

Justin Morneau went to New Westminster High School in British Columbia, Canada. Ross D. Franklin / AP Photo

Canada-born Justin Morneau was drafted as a catcher by the Minnesota Twins and converted into a first baseman in the minor leagues.

The four-time All-Star won two Silver Slugger Awards, was the AL Most Valuable Player in 2006 and won the NL batting title in 2014.

After playing for Canada in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Morneau retired and took a job as a special assistant in the front office of the Minnesota Twins.

8. Todd Helton

Todd Helton played in 2,247 career games. Ross D. Franklin / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9962

Teams: Colorado Rockies

Years in MLB: 17 seasons (1997-2013)

Bottom Line: Todd Helton

Todd Helton could hit and field. Nick Wass / AP Photo

Kudos to players like Todd Helton who are able to play their entire career with one team.

Over a 17-year-career with the Colorado Rockies, he was a five-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner and a three-time Gold Glove Award winner. In 2000, he made the All-Star team, won the NL Hank Aaron Award, and was the MLB batting champ and RBI leader.

After he retired, the Rockies retired his No. 17 jersey number.

6. Doug Mientkiewicz (Tied)

Doug Mientkiewicz won one Gold Glove. Ross D. Franklin / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9963

Teams: Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers

Years in MLB: 12 seasons (1998-2009)

Bottom Line: Doug Mientkiewicz

Doug Mientkiewicz played on seven major league teams. Kathy Willens / AP Photo

Doug Mientkiewicz is one of five American baseball players to win both an Olympic gold medal (2000 Games in Sydney) and a World Series championship (2004 with the Boston Red Sox).

The one-time Gold Glove Award winner was a CBSSports.com postseason analyst before moving on to managing.

From 2017 to 2019, he was the manager of the Toledo Mud Hens, the Triple-A team in the Detroit Tigers farm system.

6. Paul Goldschmidt (Tied)

Paul Goldschmidt made his major league debut in 2011. Ross D. Franklin / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9963

Teams: Arizona Diamondbacks, St. Louis Cardinals

Years in MLB: 9 (2011-present)

Bottom Line: Paul Goldschmidt

Paul Goldschmidt was traded to the Cardinals after the 2018 season. Mark Humphrey / AP Photo

“Goldy” had a phenomenal career with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who drafted him in 2009 and nurtured him into the bigs in 2011.

He was a six-time All-Star (2011-2018), won four Silver Slugger Awards and three Gold Glove Awards. In 2013, he was the NL home run and RBI leader and took home the Hank Aaron Award.

In 2019, Goldschmidt and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a five-year, $130 million contract.

5. Joe Mauer

Joe Mauer moved to first after starting his career as a catcher. Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9964

Teams: Minnesota Twins

Years in MLB: 15 seasons (2004-18)

Bottom Line: Joe Mauer

Joe Mauer started 584 games at first base. Jim Mone / AP Photo

Catchers don’t always have the longest major league careers, but Joe Mauer lasted 15 seasons in the big leagues — all with the Minnesota Twins — after being the first overall draft pick in the 2001 draft.

Mauer finished his career at first base and made 584 career starts there, but remains the only catcher to win three batting titles. He also was a six-time All-Star, won the Silver Slugger Award five times and snagged three consecutive Gold Glove Awards behind the plate from 2008 to 2010).

A former TV spokesperson for Head & Shoulders, Pepsi and Gatorade, in 2009, he set MLB single-season records for catchers for batting average (.365) and on-base percentage (.444)

4. Mark Teixeira

Mark Teixeira won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009. Elise Amendola / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9966

Teams: Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, Los Angles Angels, New York Yankees

Years in MLB: 14 seasons (2003-16)

Bottom Line: Mark Teixeira

Mark Teixeira won five Gold Gloves. Mike Carlson / AP Photo

In 14 seasons, Mark Teixeira rocked 409 home runs and was the fifth switch-hitter in MLB to reach the 400 mark.

This ambidextrous hitter holds the all-time record for most games with homers from both sides of the plate (14). He won a World Series title with the New York Yankees and also was a five-time Gold Glove winner, three-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

In 2009, Teixeira capped a banner year by being the AL leader in home runs and RBI.

3. Travis Lee

Travis Lee never made an All-Star team. Ted S. Warren / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9967

Teams: Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, New York Yankees

Years in MLB: 9 seasons (1998-2006)

Bottom Line: Travis Lee

Travis Lee, right, was the second overall pick in the 1996 MLB draft. Chris O’Meara / AP Photo

At Capital High School in Olympia, Washington, Travis Lee batted lefty but played quarterback on the football team as a righty. He focused on baseball at San Diego State and won the Golden Spikes Award in 1996, when he also played on the U.S. Olympic team that won a bronze medal.

Lee was the starting first baseman in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ inaugural season in 1998, when he got the first hit and the first home run in franchise history.

He finished third in voting for the NL Rookie of the Year that year.

2. Kevin Youkilis

Kevin Youkilis won two rings with the Red Sox. Michael Dwyer / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9974

Teams: Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees

Years in MLB: 10 seasons (2004-13)

Bottom Line: Kevin Youkilis

Kevin Youkilis was the ultimate dirt dog. Winslow Townson / AP Photo

In 2008, Kevin Youkalis set the major league record for most consecutive chances without an error at first base (2,002) — a record that was later broken by Casey Kotchman (see the next listing).

The scrappy Youkalis also was patient at the plate. In “Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game,” he was nicknamed “Euclis, the Greek God of Walks.”

He won two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox, and the three-time All-Star won a Gold Glove in 2007.

1. Casey Kotchman

Casey Kotchman, right, started 781 games at first base. Jeff Roberson / AP Photo

Career fielding percentage: .9975

Teams: Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Indians, Miami Marlins

Years in MLB: 10 seasons (2004-2013)

Bottom Line: Casey Kotchman

Casey Kotchman, right, only committed 18 errors in 7,331 fielding chances in his career. Brian Blanco / AP Photo

The top first baseman by fielding percentage beats out second-place Kevin Youkilis by .0001, and Kotchman also took another MLB record from him. In 2010, Kotchman made an error — but it was only his first after 2,379 consecutive chances at first base, topping the Youk.

In 2011, Kotchman had the best fielding percentage among major league first basemen. Can you guess who was second? Yup, Youkilis.

But unlike Youk, Kotchman never won any World Series rings. You can’t have everything.