MLB Players Power Rankings: Top 10 Hitters in Week-8
By Manny Gómez
MLB Players Power Rankings (5): Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
Week-8 Stats: 0.929 SLG | 0.607 wOBA | 288 wRC+ | 0.9 fWAR
Placing Anthony Rizzo 5th on this list was by far the toughest decision to make. Especially considering that he has a better fWAR than the four and three ranked hitters.
The fact of the matter is that while his traditional stats were better than the four and three ranked players, his advanced stats fell just short of the #4 slot. That’s not to say that Rizzo isn’t a better player, however.
In fact, throughout his career, Anthony Rizzo has been one of the most understated and underrated players in MLB. In nine big league seasons, seven of which he played full seasons, Rizzo has essentially averaged 30/100 each season. Not only that, but he also gets on base at a .370 clip and is slugging .859 for his career.
In all, since becoming the everyday first baseman for the Chicago Cubs in 2013, Rizzo ranks 18th overall in fWAR (26.3). Among first basemen, he ranks only behind Paul Goldschmidt (33.7 fWAR), Freddie Freeman (30.4 fWAR), and Joey Votto (28.7).
This season, Rizzo’s numbers are up across the board. In just 47 games (less than 1/3 of the season), he already has 14 HR, 40 RBI, and is slashing .285/.400/.587. At 30-21, the Chicago Cubs are in first place in the NL Central. They lead the Milwaukee Brewers by 1.5 games.