Joey Votto

Votto is the modern master of on-base dominance, and it’s exactly what you want at first base. His prime combined elite OBP with real power, not the empty-walk profile some people mistake for passivity. He controlled at-bats so well that pitchers routinely had to choose between walks and damage. Even as the league’s pitching velocity and breaking-ball usage climbed, he maintained top-tier plate discipline. He could adjust his approach season to season without losing the core value: getting on base and slugging. His MVP-level seasons show a hitter capable of carrying an offense through stretches. He also posted strong late-career power surges, proving he wasn’t just an early-prime guy. In run creation terms, he’s one of the best first basemen of the 21st century. If you want a hitter who wins plate appearances more than he loses them, Votto is your archetype.