Chicago Cubs: Comparing the National League Central’s first basemen

The Chicago Cubs have one of the good ones in first baseman Anthony Rizzo. But where does he stack up at his position in a loaded National League Central?

The Chicago Cubs have been blessed to enjoy first baseman Anthony Rizzo for the better part of a decade. His story on how he was traded to the Cubs and his battle against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of cancer, is quite the redemption story.

Last year, Rizzo got off to a cold start, then came roaring back to post his fourth consecutive 100-RBI campaign, making him the first left-handed Cubs hitter in history to accomplish such a feat. Earlier this season, he eclipsed 200 home runs with Chicago – another remarkable accomplishment for the team’s unofficial captain.

But this season, he’s facing some stiff competition within his own division. Even teams like the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, clubs largely written off when it comes to the NL Central race, boast first basemen capable of competing with Rizzo for the honors of best first baseman in the division.

How does Rizzo stack up? Let’s take a look at the rest of the division, including some guys who are enjoying breakout campaigns so far in 2019.