Anyone who has played fantasy baseball for a while can remember a time when stud first basemen were always a part of the first round. Names like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, or Jeff Bagwell were much sought-after anchors in your fantasy baseball draft.
In recent years, that has not been the case. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. has done his best to hold up to that standard, but is a second-round pick, and this year, he and Nick Kurtz are the first ones to be drafted around number 18. Shortly thereafter, you may hear the names Alonso, Harper, Devers, or Olson in an area where you might prefer to get your ace starter or shutdown closer.
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For those who wait, there is a small opportunity to get a quality first baseman a few rounds later before that Tier drops off and only sleepers remain. Three names are available generally between 80 and 100. Let’s look at the potential contributions of Vinnie Pasquantino, Tyler Soderstrom, and Sal Perez – each a significant contributor at the not-as-hot corner last season.
Vinnie Pasquantino: The Consistent Anchor
Hitting behind Bobby Witt Jr. has its benefits, and Pasquantino certainly took advantage of that reality with his best season in 2025. He hit .262 with 32 HR and 113 RBI – all career highs, to go with 72 runs and one lone steal.
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Sep 25, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Vinnie Pasquantino (9) tosses his bat after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
If Witt stays healthy, and with the fences moved in 10 feet, Pasquantino is in line for another good year, but I wouldn’t bet on the 32 and 113 growing. His 10.8% barrel rate is good, not great, and he could make more hard contact. His BABIP is historically low (.271 last year), which tends to cancel out a low strikeout rate. Pasquantino makes contact, but he’ll need to improve the quality of that contact to see greater numbers.
Steamer has him at .261/27/92 over 622 PA, and that feels about right.
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Tyler Soderstrom: The Breakout Upside Play
In his age-23 season, Soderstrom showed power early and improved plate skills and batting average late. If they can all come together in 2026, he’ll be worth his ADP of 85, and then some.
Overall, he hit .276 with 25 HR, 93 RBI, and 75 runs with a bonus 8 SB along the way. Half of his first-half HR, nine, came in March and April last year. In the second half, he hit .300. In that homer-happy March and April, he hit to the opposite field only 16.7 percent of the time, but improved that mark over the season, and 31.7 percent in the 2nd half. You would think that might cost him some power, but if you look at his spray chart, the number of opposite-field four-baggers is more, certainly, than I expected.
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Baseball Savant
(Baseball Savant)
Steamer is not buying into his second-half batting average surge and calls for .256/24/81 over 588 plate appearances. I’m more optimistic that he can be in the .270s, at least, again. With that kind of opposite field power and a more patient approach at the plate, I think he can improve this season.`
Sal Perez: The Veteran Power with Flex
Our third option in this cohort is more likely to play catcher on your team. The 35-year-old Sal Perez caught 92 games last year but also played 30 at 1B. Perez will be 36 in May and last year put up 30 HR and 100 RBI with a .236 average.
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Feb 20, 2026; Surprise, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) rounds the bases after a solo home run in the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Ideally, if you draft Perez, you’ll either already have a 1B and C, or you draft a young one later who emerges throughout the season. But I can see him, at his 98 ADP, paired with a Hunter Goodman (76 ADP) as a hybrid option ensuring depth at C.
Even at his age, Steamer likes him to improve that average (.251) while providing 87 RBI and 64 runs over 588 plate appearances.
Draft Strategy for Fantasy Baseball Managers
Which of these three is best for your team might very well be the product of what’s already taken place in your draft. When we tell you to let the draft come to you, this is one of those times.
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Pasquantino is best for batting average and RBI balance. Soderstrom is a potential steal at his ADP and can provide 30 HR and 10 SB. Perez provides roster flexibility but will limit your run totals. If you are assessing which set of tools would benefit your team the most, the answer should be clear to you on draft day.
What Fantasy Managers Are Asking About 1B Options During Draft Season
Q: Is Vinnie Pasquantino’s power surge sustainable for 2026, or will his K rate regression make him a risky mid-round pick at 1B?
A: With his exceptional contact skills and barrel rate (11.8%, top 20% according to Statcast), Vinnie Pasquantino’s 2025 power surge (32 HR,.264 AVG, 113 RBI) appears sustainable. With a 45.2% hard-hit rate, his K rate decreased to 15.7% from 18.9% in 2024, demonstrating better plate discipline. He was consistent after the All-Star (.272 AVG, 14 HR), but he reached his peak in July (.337 AVG, 9 HR). FantasyPros initiatives.261 AVG, 27 HR, and 92 RBI in 2026, assuming that the Royals’ lineup changes increase RBI. He is a low-risk mid-round pick for balance at ADP ~85, but he becomes riskier in shallow leagues if BABIP (.269) normalizes and regresses to 25 HR. For maximum upside, combine speed with the target for roto stability.
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Q: How does Tyler Soderstrom’s breakout potential compare to established options like Vinnie Pasquantino, especially in terms of home/road splits and RBI upside?
A: Tyler Soderstrom had a breakout year in 2025, hitting.276 with 25 home runs and 93 RBIs. He is a high-upside alternative to Pasquantino’s consistency, with similar power but more speed (8 stolen bases vs. 1). His home/road splits are balanced (.281 at home, .271 on the road), unlike Pasquantino’s Coors dependence. However, his RBI potential depends on the Athletics‘ lineup (projected 71 wins, mid-pack offense). Soderstrom’s performance improved month by month after July (.285 AVG, 13 HR), and his 22.6% strikeout rate suggests he has more room to grow than Pasquantino’s more polished style. FantasyPros thinks Soderstrom will hit.256 with 24 home runs and 81 RBIs, while Pasquantino will hit.27 with 92 RBIs. Soderstrom is only 24 years old, so he could hit 30 home runs. At ADP ~94, he’s the best breakout bet for deeper leagues, especially if Oakland adds bats.
Q: With Sal Perez’s catcher eligibility, is he a better fantasy value at 1B than younger players like Tyler Soderstrom or Vinnie Pasquantino, despite his lower AVG?
A: Sal Perez’s catcher eligibility makes him a unique 1B flex, offering .236 AVG, 30 HR, 100 RBI in 2025—superior power/RBI to Soderstrom (25 HR/93 RBI) and Pasquantino (32 HR/113 RBI) but lagging in AVG and runs. His month-by-month consistency (no sub-.220 month) and Royals’ lineup provide RBI floor, but age-36 risks regression (15.7% K rate stable). FantasyPros projects .251 AVG, 27 HR, 87 RBI vs. Soderstrom’s higher upside and Pasquantino’s balance, but Perez’s C/1B qualifies him for catcher-scarce leagues. At ADP ~110 (vs. ~85-94 for others), he’s the best value for power without early investment, especially in points formats. Prioritize Perez if a catcher flex is needed; otherwise, Soderstrom for growth.
Q: Among Vinnie Pasquantino, Tyler Soderstrom, and Sal Perez, who offers the best balance of power, speed, and consistency for roto leagues in 2026?
A: Vinnie Pasquantino edges for roto balance with .264 AVG/32 HR/1 SB in 2025, offering consistency (15.7% K rate, .269 BABIP) over Soderstrom’s upside (.276 AVG/25 HR/8 SB) and Perez’s power (.236 AVG/30 HR/0 SB). Month-by-month, Pasquantino’s steady output (July peak 9 HR) trumps Soderstrom’s second-half surge and Perez’s run-limited profile. FantasyPros projections favor Pasquantino (.261 AVG, 27 HR, 1 SB) for AVG/power edge, Soderstrom (.256 AVG, 24 HR, 5 SB) for speed, and Perez (.251 AVG, 27 HR, 0 SB) for RBI. At ADPs ~85-110, Pasquantino’s Royals role provides the best all-around fit for roto, but Soderstrom suits speed-needy teams. Avoid Perez if runs matter; he’s a catcher flex only.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fantasy section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.