Your 2018 NL MVP, Anthony Rizzo

The 28 year old slugger is primed to have a huge season in 2018 after another consistent 2017 campaign.

The last year and a half has been a hectic time for the Cubs with a World Series run for the ages and yet another trip to the NLCS in 2017 that ended in a game 5 loss at home in dominant fashion. Well, 2018 is a new year and the optimism around the Cubs remains at an all time high, led by the face of the franchise, Anthony Rizzo.

Even after another deep playoff run, there is a different feel to the start of the season. Last season started with celebrations of what happened the year before, trips to the White House, the whole nine yards. At a certain point, that can ware on you, and the Dodgers’ NLCS dominance over the Cubs showed that they might’ve done just that. Despite saying that they’re hungry and we know they want to win, its different heading into the year where you’re on top of the mountain or trying to get back to it.

Heading into 2018, the Cubs will have a new sense of hunger and determination to get back to the point where they once were. At the top of that mountain, holding the Commissioner’s Trophy singing “Go Cubs go, hey Chicago what do you say? The Cubs are world champs today!” Like any other year, it won’t be easy and will continue to depend on the growth of some of the younger players and thats where Anthony Rizzo will lead the way.

You can call it a bold prediction or hot take. Call it whatever you want. I believe that Anthony Rizzo will be the 2018 NL MVP. Here’s why:

Reason #1: Age

Anthony Rizzo has been as consistent of a player as anyone in baseball hitting 30+ dingers and driving in 100 runs with a .380 OBP and slugging .520. These are excellent numbers but he has never really had a year that absolutely jumps out at you and screams MVP like his counterpart in the Bryzzo bromance, Kris Bryant. Anthony is 28 years old and Theo Epstein stated in his opening press conference back in 2012 that players enter the prime of their careers at age 28–33. He’s accomplished so much already but is just now entering his prime so there is still plenty of reason to believe that he has plenty of years left to play at an MVP level.

Reason #2: Longer offseason

Getting to the NLCS is still a much shorter offseason than teams that don’t make the playoffs but its still about 2 weeks worth of baseball activities that you don’t go through. With the emotions of a long World Series run and The Cubs playing 17 out of a possible 19 games during that run, it takes a toll. It may not have necessarily shown, but a little more rest to heal up and get re-energized will be good for Rizzo after playing 155+ games each of the last 3 years in the regular season and nearly every inning of the 2015–2017 postseason games.

Reason #3: The Cubs offense

When the Cubs offense is at their best, they come at you in waves. On any given day, the Cubs lineup can consist of Rizzo, Bryant, Schwarber, Baez, Russell, Contreras, Happ etc. Despite the lead off hitter problem, the Cubs are still going to score runs and their is still room for growth with players like Russell, Baez, and Happ. Production from all throughout the lineup will give Rizzo plenty of chances to drive in runs and have other opportunities to capitalize on mistakes.

Reason #4: Hitting behind Kris Bryant and in front of Willson Contreras

Much like my reasoning for #3 but from a somewhat different angle. The Cubs offense will be given plenty of opportunities to score runs but each situation is different and is dictated by how the pitcher tries to get around the damage. Sometimes in a lineup, you have to circle the name of a guy that you can’t let beat you. With teams like the Angels or Nationals, those guys are Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, respectively. With the Cubs, most teams would tend to circle Kris Bryant’s name on the list. That means in a big spot with a base open, some teams might look to put Bryant on and bring in a lefty to face Rizzo, creating an opportunity to drive in more runs. That same logic can be said about Willson Contreras behind him. Opposing pitchers can’t always just pitch around Rizzo or put him on because they know they have to pitch to Contreras next. This could cause Rizzo to get more pitches to hit and ultimately drive in runs. Protection in a lineup is an important thing that can tend to go unnoticed at this day in age.

Reason #5: Rizzo’s leadership

We know that Rizzo has become the David Ross type presence in the locker room. A respected veteran that will speak out and guide the young guys along and get the veterans on board with him. He wants to be that but he wants to be more too. He wants to be that guy in the lineup everyday putting up big numbers and being the catalyst of the offense. He wants to lead on and off the field and he wants to be that franchise icon that he has been labeled with, and rightfully so. We will do whatever it takes to win and has the heart of a warrior.

Reason #6: Stoneman Douglas

Anthony Rizzo’s alma mater was the high school affected by the tragic shooting that took many lives in Parkland, Florida at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Anthony was deeply affected by the shooting and immediately flew home to Parkland to be there for his community and also had a moving speech at a vigil held to honor the victims of this horrible tragedy. Rizzo will be playing with a heavy heart in hopes of giving his community something to smile and celebrate about. He will be playing for all of those people affected by this tragedy. When a player like Anthony Rizzo starts playing from the heart, he becomes a very dangerous player to face.

This is complete speculation and a total guess but if there is anything I know, its that at the end of the season, we will all look up and see 30 HR and 100 RBI next to Anthony Rizzo’s name. Whether or not that will translate into an MVP award remains to be seen but he’s my pick any day of the week.

Stephen Sciaraffa is currently a student at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. Born in Chicago, Stephen spends his free time following the Cubs and taking in games at beautiful Wrigley Field with his dad. You can add him on twitter here