Veteran infielder for the Yankees appears to be making a comeback
Anthony Rizzo, the first baseman for the New York Yankees, is back to his normal self this spring. The former All-Star slugger doesn’t seem to be suffering from any residual effects from the concussion that ended his 2023 season.
After four Spring Training games, Rizzo is thriving at the plate. He performed so well that Shati Sepe-Chepuru of MLB.com listed him among the top 10 performers to date, expressing the following about his ability to bounce back:
“He struggled to see the ball down the stretch in 2023, so far this spring he’s hitting.467, so it was unclear going into camp how that would affect him moving forward, but so far, there doesn’t seem to be any reason for concern,” Sepe-Chepuru said.
Anthony Rizzo of the Yankees appears poised to have his finest campaign in New York in 2024.
His counting stats are in line with his batting average, which is far higher than the typical for elite players. Rizzo has blasted two doubles and two bombs into the stands.
The 34-year-old infielder, who is well-known for being an efficient hitter, is comparable to the Rizzo who blasted 32 home runs in 2022.
Is Rizzo able to go on the same scorching run that he had before his concussion in 2023?
Prior to the injury, Rizzo hit an unbelievable home run, as ESM’s Alexander Wilson reported back in December.305/.378/.513 with 11 home runs and a 149 wRC+.
In 2024, the Yankees will require every ounce of output he can generate. It is hoped that hitting in the cleanup spot, he can replicate his pre-injury performance.
Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and DJ LeMahieu are all capable of reaching base as well as any major leaguer, particularly the later two. If Rizzo can hit balls in the center of the field, he can help the Yankees extend innings and score a lot of runs.
