Three Cubs players listed in ESPN's Top 50 overall |
ESPN's
annual top 50 MLB rankings for players are out for the upcoming season.
Three Cubs cornerstone players were listed with Kris Bryant (No. 21), Javier Baez (29), and Anthony Rizzo (38). Bryant ranking dropped nine spots from last season, but he is still one of the most feared sluggers in the game if healthy. "ESPN Fantasy projects Bryant to have a .382 on-base percentage and a .506 slugging percentage, only six and 21 points off his combined marks from 2015 to '17," ESPN said. Bryant struggled batting .272 with 13 homers in 102 games last season.
Baez aka 'El Mago' was not even ranked in the top 50 last season so the No. 29 ranking was a huge jump.
"He is one of only five players, along with Ronald Acuna Jr., Francisco Lindor, Trevor Story, and Mike Trout, whom ZiPS projects to have at least 30 home runs and 15 stolen bases in 2019," ESPN.com said.
Baez hit a career-best .290 with 34 homers, .881 OPS, and 111 RBIs in his MVP runner-up season in 2018.
For his career, he is a .267 hitter with 81 homers and 269 RBIs.
Rizzo continues to be one of the most consistent players year in and year out around the National League despite him dropping 17 spots in the rankings.
"His streak of four straight 30-homer seasons was snapped last year, but Steamer says he'll get back there with 30," ESPN.com said.
For 2018, Rizzo hit .283 with 25 homers, 101 RBIs, and had a .376 on-base percentage.
ESPN warned that his WAR rating has dropped four seasons in a row.
