Paul Goldschmidt Ranked #3 on MLB Network’s “Top 10 First Basemen Right Now!”

Hosted by MLB Network’s Brian Kenny alongside MLB Network analysts, each Top 10 Right Now! ranking takes into account player performance over the last two seasons, a number of offensive and defensive metrics, both advanced Statcast data and traditional numbers, and analysis by the MLB Network research team.

Paul Goldschmidt topped both the 2017 and 2016 countdowns at the position, but was unable to complete the three-peat, and was past by both Freeman and the Reds’ Joey Votto. On Saturday’s countdown, MLB Network analyst and 2018 Hall of Fame inductee Jim Thome said, “Goldy is a guy that just goes out every year and you know by the time he leaves Spring Training to the end, he’s gonna be an MVP candidate. To me, I’ve got him even higher on the list.”

The complete ranking for MLB Network’s top-10 first basemen is as follows:

1. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
2. Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
3. Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
4. Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
5. Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
6. José Abreu, Chicago White Sox
7. Edwin Encarnación, Cleveland Indians
8. Brandon Belt, San Francisco Giants
9. Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals
10. Carlos Santana, Philadelphia Phillies

What do you think? Too high, too low or about right for Goldschmidt?