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I wrote an article yesterday where I gave five bold predictions for the 2018 Chicago Cubs. One of those predictions was that Cubs catcher, Willson Contreras, would be the team’s MVP this season (Bleacher Report has Contreras winning the NL MVP…wow). On a team that is littered with All-Stars, many people would read that and probably laugh since Contreras is only entering his second FULL season as a Cub. As much as I think Contreras is going to have a breakout year, there is no doubt in my mind who the leader of the Chicago Cubs is.
Since joining the Cubs in 2012, Anthony Rizzo has taken on the leadership role from day one and has seen every peak and valley along the way. Of course everyone will remember Rizzo for catching the final out of the 2016 World Series which solidified his place in Cubs history forever. However, people forget that Rizzo was also part of a team in 2012 that finished with 61 wins, which was the lowest total in team history in a full season since 1966.
Reunited And It Feels So Good
Rizzo’s path to Chicago has been well documented. Then Red Sox GM Theo Epstein drafted Rizzo in 2007 but then traded him to San Diego in 2010, where Jed Hoyer just happened to be the GM of the Padres. Rizzo broke into the MLB in 2011 with San Diego and at that point in Rizzo’s career, he had only 153 plate appearances and was slashing .141/.282/.241 — not exactly eye-opening numbers.
It’s no secret that Theo loves his draft picks so as soon as he took the job with the Cubs in 2011, he worked quickly to get Anthony Rizzo back despite his poor performance on the field.
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Once in Chicago, Rizzo was solid in his first two years with the Cubs but some fans were still upset the team traded their “ace” of the time, Andrew Cashner, to land Rizzo. The Cubs were in full rebuild mode and Epstein and Hoyer were selling any and everyone to obtain prospects to build up their farm system. Some fans thought that Rizzo would be included in that group of players to get traded since he was starting to come into his own as a first basemen.
Just think how many great prospects the Cubs could get if they traded Rizzo. Theo has to be salivating
— Dads On Sports (@DadsOnSports) April 18, 2014
Thank God Theo wasn’t an idiot.
The Arrival
Rizzo burst on the scene in 2014 and hasn’t looked back since. He was voted an All-Star from 2014-2016 and has finished in the top five for NL MVP in two of the past four seasons (2015-2016). In addition to that, he won a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, Platinum Glove, the Heart and Hustle Award, the Roberto Clemente Award, the Fielding Bible Award, and the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award in 2017.
I think what’s even more impressive than the personal accolades that he’s earned with the Cubs is his ability to be the Cubs most consistent player for the past four years.
Check out these numbers.
Anthony Rizzo has been remarkably consistent the last 4 yrs:
2014: 32 HR, .386 OBP, .913 OPS
2015: 31 HR, .387 OBP, .899 OPS
2016: 32 HR, .385 OBP, .928 OPS
2017: 32 HR, .392 OBP, .899 OPS— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) March 27, 2018
Since 2014, I’ve always believed Rizzo has a realistic shot to be the NL MVP. He’s a left-handed power hitter who is protected on both sides in the Cubs lineup and has avoided the injury bug through most of his career missing only 14 games the past three seasons.
A model of consistency.
Is This The Year?
Recently, the odds for the 2018 NL MVP were released and surprisingly (or not), Rizzo came in with 18/1 odds to win the award.
Odds to win the NL MVP Award (via 5Dimes):
Harper +300
Bryant +400
Arenado +500
Goldschmidt/Votto/Bellinger +800
Rizzo/Seager +1800
Freeman +2000
Blackmon/Kershaw +2500
Scherzer/Cespedes/Rendon +3000
Ozuna/Turner +4000
Hosmer +5000
Hoskins +6000
Turner/Murphy +8000
Lamb +10000— OddsShark (@OddsShark) March 17, 2018
I find it absolutely crazy that Rizzo is in some way overshadowed in his own lineup by fellow superstar, Kris Bryant. Don’t get me wrong, Bryant is an unbelievable talent and deserves every accolade thrown his way but Anthony Rizzo is no slouch either. If you compare numbers from Bryant’s 2016 MVP season, Rizzo’s numbers were right there with him (and he finished fourth place).
2016 Numbers
- Kris Bryant – 121 runs, 176 hits, 39 home runs, 102 RBIs, .292/.385/.554
- Anthony Rizzo – 94 runs, 170 hits, 32 home runs, 109 RBIs, .292/.385/.544
Rizzo’s old school approach to the game has become loved by Cubs fans who have consistently seen him choke up on the bat with two strikes or take a ball the opposite way to try and advance a runner. In a day and age where media outlets swoon all over Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton’s 800 foot home runs, Rizzo remains true to his game of just trying to make contact for the betterment of the team.
“You don’t get style points for how far it goes.”
I think 2018 may be the year that Rizzo breaks through and finally wins the NL MVP. Mr. Consistency will undoubtedly post solid offensive numbers again in 2018 but I believe he’s primed to take it to the next level and bring home his first MVP award.
Funny thing about that is the media are the only people who care about Rizzo and his MVP quest. Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago asked Rizzo at the end of last year what his thoughts were on possibly winning the MVP award and Rizzo’s answer is exactly why the city of Chicago loves this guy.
“The way this game is some guys get more attention than others,” Rizzo said. “It doesn’t bother me. If I’m more known for the charity work, that’s what this is all about, right?”
Yes that’s absolutely right, Anthony. However, every single Cubs fan would love to see you bring home the MVP award this season and finally get the respect you deserve.
