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Chicago Cubs: Anthony Rizzo as leadoff hitter is just a short-term fix

By Dan Schmelzer

Jun 19, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) hits a sacrifice fly to score center fielder Albert Almora Jr. (not pictured) in the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) hits a sacrifice fly to score center fielder Albert Almora Jr. (not pictured) in the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Anthony Rizzo has provided a major spark for the Chicago Cubs as their leadoff hitter, but it is not a sustainable move for the team.

Chicago Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo is hitting .268/.397/.520 on the season, with an impressive .386 wOBA and 138 wRC+ (FanGraphs). His hottest stretch of the year has come in the last six games, where Rizzo is hitting an incredible .440/.464/.960. As you know, these six games have come with Rizzo as the Cubs’ leadoff hitter.

Rizzo has provided the Cubs with a major spark since being inserted at the top of the lineup. The team has been lacking a legitimate threat at the top all season long and Rizzo has stepped in and immediately provided it. As fun as it has been to see Rizzo dominate in an unorthodox spot in the order, this is not a move that should be used for the long-term.

Rizzo is one of the most productive offensive players in the National League and the Cubs are at their best when him and Kris Bryant are driving in runs in the middle of the order. Unfortunately, with Dexter Fowler leaving the team in free agency, the Cubs have not been able to put enough runners on base ahead of Rizzo and Bryant to drive in runs.

Joe Maddon experimented with Kyle Schwarber as the Cubs’ leadoff hitter. Starting the game with the starting pitcher having to face Schwarber, Bryant and Rizzo made sense, in theory, but Schwarber was not able to hold up his end of the bargain.

The Cubs tried Ben Zobrist at the top of the order as well. Zobrist is seemingly a strong fit, but Maddon likes to have him behind Rizzo in order to protect his sluggers.

I like the idea of trying Jason Heyward as the Cubs’ leadoff hitter, at least against right-handed pitching. Heyward has hit a respectable .260/.327/.404 against right-handers this season and .274/.353/.419 as a leadoff hitter in his career. Heyward may not be a perfect fit, but I think trying him out at the top is worth a shot.

When Zobrist returns from injury, he is probably the most likely leadoff candidate for the Chicago Cubs. This would allow Maddon to put Rizzo back in the middle of the order and hopefully, guys like Heyward, Schwarber, Addison Russell and Willson Contreras can provide enough protection for the big poppers.

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Rizzo as the Cubs’ leadoff hitter has been a lot of fun and it was a great move by Maddon to give the offense a spark. However, if this team is going anywhere, Rizzo needs to be in the middle of the order driving in runs.

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