Ben Rice Should Start For The Rest Of The Season

After Anthony Rizzo got hurt, the Yankees called up Ben Rice to fill in at first base. Since being called up, Rice has been very productive. He’s shown he can hit for power and handle being the everyday first basemen. With the trade deadline coming soon, many people have the Yankees trying to trade for infield help. However, there is no time like the present to figure out the future. Rice’s early success should give the Yankees reason to let him start the rest of the season.

Anthony Rizzo Is Having A Career Worst Year

Anthony Rizzo has been having the worst season of his career. He’s currently slashing .223/.289/.341 with just eight homers, 28 RBI, and a .630 OPS. Rizzo has also uncharacteristically struggled in the field more often than usual. Further adding to his issues, on June 16^th against the Boston Red Sox, Rizzo suffered an arm injury when he collided with reliever Brennan Bernardino. The arm injury would force Rizzo to be out until the middle of August.

Ben Rice Has Had Some Early Success

With the 34-year-old out for the foreseeable future, New York called up Ben Rice from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Heading into the season, the Dartmouth alum was rated as New York’s 12th-ranked prospect. Before his call-up, he had spent less than two weeks in Triple-A. Originally drafted as a catcher, Rice had been learning first base while in the Yankees farm system. The Yankees were using a raw rookie to first base at the big-league level.

Since being called up by the Yankees, Rice has been very productive. He’s put up a slash line of .228/.315/.494 with six home runs, 19 RBI, and a .809 OPS. The 25-year-old has also proven he can handle playing first base at the big-league level. He has yet to commit an error on 145 chances. Ben Rice also became the first Yankee rookie to hit three homers in a game against the Red Sox.

The Yankees Shouldn’t Count On An Anthony Rizzo Rebound

While the Yankees have some needs to fill at the trade deadline, first base shouldn’t be one of them. Ben Rice has already had some early success playing the position at the big-league level. Even when Rizzo returns, the 34-year-old has shown that he’s entering the twilight of his career. With New York in contention, they just can’t have the patience to wait for Rizzo to come around. The team needs to accept that Anthony Rizzo’s best years are behind him now.

Starting Rice Gives Them A Chance To Potentially See The Future

Owner Hal Steinbrenner wants to trim the payroll after this season. Given Rizzo’s struggles, the Yankees will be declining their option on him. This will also mean younger talent will be in the Yankees Opening Day roster in 2025. Giving Rice an extended look at first base gives the team a great opportunity to see what the position could look like next year. It’ll also allow the team to determine whether Rice should battle T.J. Rumfield for the starting job next spring.

The Yankees Can Accomplish Something For Both The Present And Future

Ben Rice has had some early success since being called up to the big club in June. It should be enough for the team to allow him to start for the rest of the year. This team is trying to win the World Series and shouldn’t count on Anthony Rizzo bouncing back. He’s going to be 35 soon and is entering the latter stages of his career. Giving Rice an extended look allows the team to see what the future looks like at the position. It also could very well determine whether Rice will have to compete with T.J. Rumfield for the starting job next year as well. The Yankees should take advantage of an opportunity to figure out the position both in the present and future.

For more on baseball, check out Belly Up Sports and follow Eric on Twitter/X. Featured images: Getty Images