This is likely Anthony Rizzo’s final season with the New York Yankees. While the team has a $17 million option, owner Hal Steinbrenner wants to cut payroll, and Rizzo looks like a shell of himself. The Yankees also probably won’t be in the Pete Alonso sweepstakes next year in free agency. The team currently has Ben Rice and T.J. Rumfield in the minor leagues who can play the position. The first base position battle is going to be something to monitor.
This Is Anthony Rizzo’s Final Season In The Bronx
Embed from Getty ImagesThis season, Anthony Rizzo has been having the worst season of his career. Rizzo’s OPS is only .630 and 42.2% of his contact has been ground balls. Rizzo’s batting average whenever the ball is in play is only .243. He also has only hit eight home runs. The four-time gold glove winner just hasn’t been the same defensively either. Before going on the injured list, Rizzo had already committed three errors. There have also been plays that Rizzo would typically make that he just hasn’t this year. Making matters worse, Anthony Rizzo went on the injured list recently after suffering a broken arm. The 34-year-old was recently transferred to the 60-day IL keeping him out until at least August.
Given Anthony Rizzo’s poor season and Hal Steinbrenner wanting to cut payroll; the former all-star will probably be wearing a different uniform in 2025. This leaves the Yankee brass with an interesting decision on who will be the next first basemen.
No Homegrown First Basemen Since Don Mattingly
Embed from Getty ImagesOver the years, the Yankees have mostly sought help from the outside to fill the first base position. The last first baseman that was successfully developed inside the Yankees farm system was Don Mattingly. Players like Jason Giambi, Mark Teixeira, Tino Martinez, Luke Voit, and Rizzo were either brought in as free agents or acquired via trade. DJ LeMahieu has even seen a lot of time at the position over the years. The last player in the Yankees farm system who they tried to make into their next first baseman was Greg Bird. While Bird flashed at times, injuries and inconsistency ultimately caused him not to work out.
The Farm System Currently Has Two Promising First Basemen
Currently, in the Yankees farm system, Ben Rice and T.J. Rumfield have the most potential to be the next first baseman. Rumfield is currently at Triple-A with the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Railriders. Rice originally began the season at Double-A with the Somerset Patriots. Since Rizzo went on the injured list and after just 11 games in Scranton, the Dartmouth University alum is getting a chance to play at the big-league level. The 25-year-old already has a head start in selling the Yankee brass on why he would be the next first baseman.
Ben Rice
Ben Rice was drafted by the Yankees in the 12th round in 2021 as a catcher! Rice didn’t start playing first base until he was with the Single-A Tampa Tarpons. The even crazier thing is Rice only played one year of college baseball due to COVID-19. Rice is no stranger to adversity; the Massachusetts native was forced to create opportunities just to play for most of his college career.
Across four minor league seasons, Rice has slashed .284/.397/.523 with 47 home runs, 153 RBI, and a .920 OPS. Last season, he was the organization’s “Position Player of the Year.” Despite being a first baseman for the first time, Rice performed very well on the right side. He’s only committed six errors across four minor league seasons and has a fielding percentage of .984.
Due to Anthony Rizzo going on the injured list and after just 11 games at Triple-A, Rice was called up to the big leagues. While platooning with DJ LeMahieu, Rice has appeared in five games for the Bombers and most recently had his first multi-hit game against the Atlanta Braves. He registered his first career RBI on a sacrifice fly against the Baltimore Orioles. Rice also has shown to have a pretty good approach at the plate. The Massachusetts native also has done some good things in the field as well.
T.J. Rumfield
Embed from Getty ImagesT.J. Rumfield wasn’t originally drafted by the New York Yankees. He was originally drafted in 2021 in the 12th round by the Philadelphia Phillies. After one year in the Phillies organization, the Yankees would require Rumfield for reliever Nick Nelson and prospect Donny Sands. This has looked like a steal for the Yankees. Primarily a contact hitter, the former Virginia Tech Hokie has slashed .254/.354/.410 with 27 home runs, 136 RBI, and a .764 OPS. Meanwhile, Nelson is now in the Minor Leagues and Sands only appeared in three games for the Phillies. He’s currently playing in Mexico.
The 24-year-old has arguably been the Yankee organization’s best defensive player. In his career, Rumfield only has committed 13 errors and has a fielding percentage of .991. Last season, Rumfield won a Minor League gold glove award. Rumfield is currently with the Yankees Triple-A affiliate. The Virginia native has yet to appear in a game for the Yankees.
The Decision Isn’t As Easy As It Looks
The choice between Rice or Rumfield isn’t as easy as one might assume. For example, in 2023, many people assumed that Oswald Peraza would be the next shortstop. Peraza showed promise during his call-up the previous season including appearing in the ALCS. However, then-top prospect Anthony Volpe made such an impression during the spring that the Yankees gave the job to him over Peraza. Sometimes a player doesn’t necessarily get the job just because they played in big-league games. Volpe has since cemented himself as the Yankee long-term shortstop. The same thing could happen between Ben Rice and T.J. Rumfield.
It’ll Be Down To What The Yankees Value More
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Yankees will probably decline their option on Rizzo and won’t be pursuing a free agent at first base. This will mean that the position will go to either Ben Rice or T.J. Rumfield. They both bring plenty of good things to the table both offensively and defensively. The decision will come down to what the Yankee brass and coaching staff value more. If they want more power and alright defense, they’ll go with Rice. It might tempting to go with Rice since he hits left-handed and Yankee Stadium favors them with the porch. He after all will have the edge in having big-league experience. However, if they decide they want more contact and someone who has proven they can play first base at a high level, they’ll go with Rumfield. The decision is going to be an interesting one to monitor in 2025.
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