Tired of watching DJ LeMahieu and Ben Rice struggle to produce at the plate, New York Yankees fans might be tempted to herald the impending return of Anthony Rizzo as a much-needed upgrade. But would that really be the case?
Before fracturing his right arm in mid-June, the 35-year-old first baseman was having an objectively bad season. In 70 games, Rizzo slashed just .223/.289/.341. He had a 76 OPS+ and -0.5 WAR, per Baseball Reference.
On the surface, Rizzo seems like an improvement over the current first basemen on the roster. LeMahieu is ostensibly washed up with his -1.5 WAR and 49 OPS+. And despite a hot start to his MLB career, Rice has managed just three singles in his last 42 at bats.
Compared to LeMahieu, Rizzo is the better option. But while Rice has lost is way of late, he’s neck-and-neck with Rizzo in terms of OPS+, posting a 77. The youngster also grounds into double plays far less often — once every 86 plate appearances, compared to Rizzo’s once every 48.5.
But the real question isn’t which of these three problematic options should be playing first base. Instead, the Yankees should be asking who else could step up and bring at least an average bat to the lineup at the position.
Yankees play-by-play man Michael Kay has suggested on his ESPN New York radio show that the answer is Austin Wells. The 25-year-old catcher is in the running for the American League Rookie of the Year award, hitting .253/.346/.421 with a 2.3 WAR. And he has played first base before — 30 games in college and summer league action.
ICYMI on @TMKSESPN:@RealMichaelKay says the New York Yankees need to make drastic changes. pic.twitter.com/Ig7ESN5w5C
— ESPN New York (@ESPNNewYork) August 21, 2024
It’s unlikely that the Yankees will let Wells learn on the job as they battle the Baltimore Orioles for a division title, though. And with Jazz Chisholm Jr. acclimating to third base, the comedy of errors that could ensue as he bounces throws to Wells would have fans screaming for Rizzo’s experienced glove.
Still, letting Wells try first base could be worth the risk. As Kay put it, “You almost have to ignore the fact that you’re in first place—or close to it—and you gotta make dynamic moves.”
