Uninterested in watching DJ LeMahieu and Ben Rice battle to provide 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 like an enchancment over the present first basemen on the roster. LeMahieu is ostensibly washed up together 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 teenager 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 ought to be taking part in first base. As an alternative, the Yankees ought to be asking who else might step up and produce no less than a mean bat to the lineup on the place.
Yankees play-by-play man Michael Kay has suggested on his ESPN New York radio present that the reply is Austin Wells. The 25-year-old catcher is in the running for the American League Rookie of the Year award, hitting .253/.346/.421 with a 2.3 WAR. And he has performed first base earlier than — 30 video games in school and summer season league motion.
