Cincinnati Reds positional preview vs. NL Central: first base

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CINCINNATI, OH – MAY 26: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

1. Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs

It should come as no surprise to anyone throughout Reds Country that Anthony Rizzo is No. 1 on this list. What may come as a surprise to most is that Rizzo hasn’t made an All-Star appearance since 2016. Joey Votto has been to the All-Star Game twice since Rizzo’s last trip to the Midsummer Classic.

Despite not making it to the All-Star Game the past three seasons, the argument could be made that Rizzo’s been the best first baseman in the National League for the past five seasons. However, I’m sure Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman probably has something to say about that.

Anthony Rizzo hit .293/.405/.520 with 29 doubles, 27 home runs and 94 RBIs. Last season was the first time since 2014 that Rizzo hadn’t played 150-plus games or hit over 100 RBIs in a season. The Cubs first baseman is the model of consistency.

Speaking of consistency, Rizzo constantly crushes Reds pitching. Over 134 career games against Cincinnati, Anthony Rizzo has hit .260/.373/.488 with 27 homers and 85 RBIs. Only Pirates pitching have allowed Rizzo to hit as many round-trippers as the Reds.

The Mount Rushmore of former Reds players. Next

So, while we have yet to know when the 2020 season will begin, we do know how well the Reds stack up against fellow first basemen in the NL Central. With no real backup behind Joey Votto, Cincinnati will ride their former MVP into next season and likely beyond, as their no up-and-coming first baseman in the Reds minor league system either.

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