Chicago Cubs: Who’s the best after Bryant and Rizzo?

Addison Russell – .250, 1 home run, 9 RBI

In 2015 Addison Russell spent most of the season batting ninth in a National League batting order behind the pitcher’s spot. Maddon explained that was a better spot for a young hitter to develop.

Then in 2016, Russell began to settle in behind Zobrist and the rest of the “Rizzo sandwich.” When Russell joined the rest of the Cubs as the National League All-Star team’s starting infield some critics said it was an example of fan voting negatively influencing who goes to the All-Star game. But when that season Russell finished just shy of 100 RBI. That’s a number that always catches the attention of traditional baseball fans.

It appeared at that time that Russell would eventually take over Zobrist’s place in the Rizzo sandwich as the Cubs next best hitter. However, in 2017 Russell struggled with injuries, issues off the field and issues at the plate. He certainly isn’t that next best hitter right now. But if Russell gets back on that track that he was in 2016–he could be.