Top 5 first basemen in Blue Jays franchise history by WAR

The Toronto Blue Jays franchise is getting close to 50 years old, and throughout that time, they haven't had a more stacked position than first base. For a position where offense is key, there have been some absolute killers at the plate for the Jays. Decades have been defined by some of the talent the Jays were able to have at first, and their memories continue to live on in the fans that watched their primes.

Making a list of just 5 players to crown as the best first basemen for the Blue Jays is easier said than done, but it's worth commemorating some of the biggest contributors to the franchise, and who holds the crown as the best Jays first baseman of all time. This list covers the statistics that are often deemed most important for a first baseman, among other factors that signify these players importance as Jays. Unsurprisingly, this list only covers stats done during their Jays tenure, so any player who went on to be greater with another team does not apply here. Even if some players were not around as long as others, if the production was there, their name will not be omitted. The players also need to be primary first basemen, so elite bats like Edwin Encarnacion do not make the cut, as he was more of a designated hitter than anything else with the Jays.

Without any further ado, take a step back through Blue Jays history, and be reminded of all the great players that signified this organization. This is the Blue Jays' top 5 first basemen of all time.

5. Willie Upshaw (12.7 bWAR)

Upshaw was an important player in the franchises history. He made his debut in 1978, just one year after the Jays joined the league as an expansion team. He later got more consistent playing time and became one of the earliest Jays to play 1B, which he would go on to do for 9 seasons. Upshaw's slash line with the Jays was .265/.336/.426 with an OPS+ of 104. He hit 112 home runs and drove in 478 runs as a Jay. While they may not appear the most extraordinary numbers on the surface, Upshaw signified a new beginning for the Jays, and was one of their most recognizable players from the team's earliest era.

In addition, Upshaws prime with the Jays had some great years, where he was one of the most valuable players on the team. He finished top 16 in MVP voting in back to back seasons in the mid 80's as one of the better first basemen in the league. He was tied for 8th (with Rance Mulliniks) for most games played in the Jays' history at 1115, so it only felt right to include such a long term player, who was able to contribute in an important way as one of the best 1B the Jays ever had.

Upshaw wasn't the first Jay to ever play first, that honor goes to John Mayberry. He also never had such an explosive stretch as other Jays that would succeed him. But his presence ranging from the dark days of the team's early conception to the "Drive of '85" makes him a key Blue Jay for life, and deserving of starting off this list.

4. Vladimir Guererro Jr. (15.2 bWAR)

It might seem bullish to put Guerrero Jr. here already, as he's only 24-years old, but this is simply a player who has been able to do so much, in so little time. Vladdy Jr. has a career slash line of .279/.355/.490, which gives him a 131 OPS+. In 5 seasons (one of which being a shortened pandemic year), Guerrero has 130 home runs, due to his tremendous power. He's been to 3 All Star games, won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award, not to mention the distinguished Hank Aaron award. From the moment Vlad was drafted, there were signs that this a special player the Blue Jays have on their hands, and once he was deemed the No. 1 prospect in baseball, everyone was tuned into to what this player was capable of.

It's true that Vladdy is coming off of a down season in 2023, straying further from that ceiling he showcased a couple years prior. It's critical that he has a bounce back season to cement his potential future with the Jays organization. He is the face of this current Jays core, and it would mean so much to the fanbase to watch him be an unstoppable force yet again. Once Guerrero Jr. had stated that 2024 is his year, it's easy to be encouraged by what sort of production can be expected, and soon see Vlad fly up these ranks higher.

3. Fred McGriff (19.4 bWAR)

The Crime Dog made Blue Jays baseball cool. In a completely lop-sided trade between the Yankees and Blue Jays, McGriff would end up becoming a staple in 1980's Jays history. He spent just 4 seasons with the club, but made his mark very well known, as he hit .278/,389/.530 with a 153 OPS+. McGriff finished top 10 in MVP voting 3 consecutive years for the Jays, even taking home a Silver Slugger award in one year. He was one of the underrated players of his era, and one of the most fun guys to watch during his Jays tenure.

McGriff was then moved along with beloved shortstop Tony Fernandez in a trade for 2B Roberto Alomar and OF Joe Carter. Needless to say, it worked out well but McGriff's importance to the Jays cannot be understated. He took the mantle from Willie Upshaw, who had also had a solid tenure with the Jays, and elevated their status to another level in his short stint in Toronto.

McGriff has recently been inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the veterans, which had been long overdue for a player of his caliber. He opted not to go in wearing a cap as he felt he should represent each of the teams he's played for equally. He played his best years in Toronto, won a World Series in Atlanta, and was one of the earliest starts in the Tampa Bay franchise, so it's reasonable to hear, and at the end of it all, Jays fans are simply happy to see the Crime Dog finally make the hall after a great career.

1. Carlos Delgado (36.8 bWAR)

There's no doubt that Carlos Delgado is one of the most important players in the franchise. From the moment he was drafted at age 16, the Jays knew there was great things to come from Delgado. He got consistent playing time in 1996, and the Puerto Rican slugger never looked back. Delgado slashed .282/.392/.556 in 12 seasons for the Blue Jays. Despite playing for some lesser Jays' teams in the 90's and 2000's, Delgado remained the proud face of the franchise.

He ranks 1st in home runs (336), doubles (343), walks (827) On-Base Plus Slugging (.949), runs (889), runs batted in (1058), and total bases (2,786). As a 2 time All Star and 3 Silver Sluggers with the Jays, Delgado established himself as a true threat at the plate in one of the heaviest offensive environments that the game has ever had, and yet it still feels that he was underrated during his prime.

Delgado received just 3.8 percent of votes to join the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and was promptly taken off the ballot after only his first year on it. He makes a better case to be in the Hall of Fame, rather than be removed after 1 year. Even after the fact, Delgado remained stoic as ever, saying, “Sometimes there’s things in life you can’t control. This is one of them. I’m not going to let it overshadow what I’ve done in my career.” Despite him being overlooked for Cooperstown, Delgado is apart of the Toronto Blue Jays Level of Excellence, where he will forever be enshrined as one of the most valuable and important Jays in the history of the franchise.