Nov. 05--The Tribune will be doing a position-by-position analysis for the 2015 Cubs. We look at first base.
2015 statistics
Anthony Rizzo: .278 batting average, 31 home runs, 101 RBIs, 30 hit-by-pitches, .387 on-base percentage
Contract status for 2016
Rizzo: signed through 2019
Breakdown
After rebounding from a rough 2013 season and carrying the torch toward a 2015 playoff berth, the expectations will become greater for Rizzo.
And that's fine, as Rizzo is coming off his second consecutive National League All-Star season and continues to improve for the sake of the team as well as his own career. His ability to adjust to defensive shifts by moving closer to home plate and hitting to all fields helped result in a career-high 101 RBIs. Rizzo also set the tone for the Cubs' aggressive style by stealing six bases in the first month.
Rizzo, 26, also gave opponents fits with his ability to handle left-handed pitchers. He batted .333 with a .462 on-base percentage against left-handers during the first four months. He finished the season with a .409 on-base percentage against lefties -- the third highest average against lefties by a left-handed hitter.
The Cubs' lack of clutch hitting doesn't extend to Rizzo, who batted .303 with runners in scoring position and .281 with runners in scoring position with two outs.
Of his 31 home runs, 17 came against NL Central opponents.
Rizzo's fearlessness also extended to his defense, especially when he performed a balancing act on top of the tarp before making a catch and crashing into the stands against the Brewers on Aug. 12.
Rizzo played 50 consecutive games without committing an error, but he committed four miscues during an eight-game span in mid-September. Scouts have noticed that Rizzo occasionally doesn't reach for throws, but that has yet to cost him an out.
While Rizzo is young and durable (with the exception of back spasms that cost him nearly three weeks in September of 2014), there are signs that he could benefit from more breaks.
Rizzo started the first 79 games and 154 of the Cubs' first 155 games. But his batting average dropped by 20 points in the second half, and he hit only two home runs in his final 25 games. Rizzo endured a 1-for-22 slump before receiving a rest on Sept. 28 before finishing the regular season with a 7-for-22 performance.
Should the Cubs elect to fortify their rotation exclusively through the free agent market, this would allow one of their infielders -- perhaps third baseman Kris Bryant -- to spell Rizzo at first base. Bryant started one game there in 2015, and manager Joe Maddon puts a premium on versatility.
Chris Coghlan also can play first base, and don't be surprised if Kyle Schwarber gets some work there in a backup role.
Finding more breaks for Rizzo is an extremely minor priority in the Cubs' plans entering 2016, but more rest could keep their prized first baseman stronger for what they hope is a deeper run in the 2016 post-season.
