In the game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays, rookie Ben Rice continued to impress, hitting another home run and sparking discussions about his potential to replace Anthony Rizzo in the Yankees’ lineup.
Ben Rice’s impressive start
As of this publication, Ben Rice has notched five home runs in 19 games, outpacing Anthony Rizzo’s eight home runs in 70 games this season. Though it’s early to make definitive claims, Rice has shown a desire to improve his first baseman skills, hinting at his ambitions to secure a position there. On Saturday, he made history as the first Yankees rookie to hit three home runs in a single game.
Anthony Rizzo’s struggles and questions about his future
Despite his past success, Anthony Rizzo has struggled this season. The former Gold Glove winner has not been the All-Star caliber player the Yankees hoped for. In his four years with the team, Rizzo has averaged a .233 batting average with 297 hits. This season, his average has dropped to .223 with 59 hits in 264 at-bats.
Questions arose about the Yankees’ decision to re-sign Anthony Rizzo, especially given his age and declining performance. After Rizzo suffered an arm fracture in June, the Yankees called up Ben Rice, a versatile player who can cover both catcher and first base positions. Rice, a left-handed batter, started the 2024 season with the Double-A Somerset Patriots, boasting a .261 average over 49 games before moving up to Triple-A with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Ben Rice’s Impact on the Yankees
Before Tuesday’s game, Ben Rice had played in 18 MLB games, and notched four home runs. His significant contributions have led many to wonder if he is set to take over Rizzo’s spot in the lineup.
What do you think? Is Ben Rice ready to replace Anthony Rizzo? Leave your comments below.
First, get your stats right. 15 hits in 51 ABs. Oh the games played is wrong too.