Now the news that all Cub fans have been waiting for … top prospect 1B Anthony Rizzo will make his Cubs debut on Tuesday vs. the New York Mets at Wrigley Field. The Cubs will take on right-handed pitcher Dillon Gee. Rizzo would have been called up today if it wasn’t for the fact that the Cubs are vs’ing a tough lefty in Johan Santana.
Anthony Rizzo was in Iowa Cubs line-up today and went 0-2 before being taken out for Blake Lalli. Rizzo was taken out so he can make his flight to Chicago. Rizzo is expected to be in Chicago tonight and maybe we will see him tonight at the Cubs game.
The Cubs will have to make a corresponding move to add Rizzo to the 25-man roster. If I had to guess, I say utility nan Adrian Cardenas will be sent down.
Rizzo will not make his MLB debut tomorrow as he did last year for the San Diego Padres. That time around did not go great as he struggled. New Cubs GM Jed Hoyer said Rizzo was rushed last year and was not ready (Hoyer was Padres GM last year). That’s why he was in Triple A so far this year. Also, with Rizzo being in the minors for the beginning part of this season, his arbitration was pushed back 1 year (if he does not qualify for Super 2).
For Triple A this season, Rizzo hit .355/.408/.702/1./1.110 with 88 hits, 18 doubles, 2 triples, 23 home runs, 62 runs batted in, 23 walks and struck out 51 times. Rizzo also stole 2 bases, but was caught stealing twice. Rizzo is a pretty great defender too, but had 9 errors this season. Which is a lot for a 1B; however, Rizzo can dig balls out of the dirt. That’s a positive to have as the Cubs usually have good digging 1B (Derrek Lee and Carlos Pena).
The line-up I would like to see Tuesday (probable starters):
1) CF David DeJesus
2) SS Starlin Castro
3) 1B Anthony Rizzo
4) LF Alfonso Soriano
5) RF Brian LaHair
6) C Geovany Soto
7) 3B Luis Valbuena
8) 2B Darwin Barney
9) P Randy Wells
However, I think Dale Sveum could go with a line-up of this…
1) CF David DeJesus
2) SS Starlin Castro
3) RF Brian LaHair
4) LF Alfonso Soriano
5) 1B Anthony Rizzo
6) C Geovany Soto
7) 2B Darwin Barney
8) 3B Luis Valbuena
9) P Randy Wells
I guess we will find out tomorrow. The next best call-up since the Cubs called up Starlin Castro a few years back.
The Anthony Rizzo era is about to begin!