Bored with watching DJ LeMahieu and Ben Rice wrestle to supply on the plate, New York Yankees followers is likely to be tempted to herald the impending return of Anthony Rizzo as a much-needed improve. However would that actually be the case?
Earlier than fracturing his proper arm in mid-June, the 35-year-old first baseman was having an objectively dangerous season. In 70 video games, Rizzo slashed simply .223/.289/.341. He had a 76 OPS+ and -0.5 WAR, per Baseball Reference.
On the floor, Rizzo looks as if an enchancment over the present first basemen on the roster. LeMahieu is ostensibly washed up along with his -1.5 WAR and 49 OPS+. And regardless of a scorching begin to his MLB profession, Rice has managed simply three singles in his final 42 at bats.
In comparison with LeMahieu, Rizzo is the higher choice. However whereas Rice has misplaced is approach of late, he’s neck-and-neck with Rizzo by way of OPS+, posting a 77. The teen additionally grounds into double performs far much less usually — as soon as each 86 plate appearances, in comparison with Rizzo’s as soon as each 48.5.
However the actual query isn’t which of those three problematic choices must be enjoying first base. As a substitute, the Yankees must be asking who else may step up and convey a minimum of a mean bat to the lineup on the place.
Yankees play-by-play man Michael Kay has steered on his ESPN New York radio present that the reply is Austin Wells. The 25-year-old catcher is within the working for the American League Rookie of the Yr award, hitting .253/.346/.421 with a 2.3 WAR. And he has performed first base earlier than — 30 video games in faculty and summer season league motion.
