Fansided

MLB power rankings: Top 25 current players

By Joshua Sadlock

April 8, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) celebrates after he hits a two run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 8, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) celebrates after he hits a two run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) hits the game winning RBI single during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Chicago won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) hits the game winning RBI single during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Chicago won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Anthony Rizzo

1B, Chicago Cubs

  • Career Stats: .267/.362/.481, 174 2B, 135 HR, 428 RBI, 77 HBP
  • Career Accolades: 3x All-Star, 2016 Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, 2x Top-5 MVP vote

One half of MLB’s best bromance, Anthony Rizzo is the player that helped redefine the look of the Chicago Cubs franchise. The big first baseman changed the whole culture around the long-suffering losers, and the players that have followed his footsteps have changed the path of the franchise.

Over the past three years, Rizzo is a .285/.386/.527 hitter with 109 doubles, 95 home runs, and 288 RBI. He has driven in over 100 runs two years in a row and has hit over 30 home runs three years in a row. Rizzo has also walked over 70 times four years in a row. He is a disciplined hitter, and one that pitchers have a hard time attacking. Rizzo crowds the plate, and is not afraid to wear a pitch if he has to.

Cubs fans will be forever grateful to Anthony Rizzo. With so many young and exciting players in the National League, he may have a hard time ever breaking through and winning the MVP award, but will be a fixture in the top-five of the vote for years to come. It feels as though he has been the face of the Cubs for years, but Rizzo is still only 27. With the core of Kris Bryant and Rizzo intact for years to come, the Cubs will not wait 108 years for their next World Series win.

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