Ever since Anthony Rizzo was traded from the Chicago Cubs to the New York Yankees at last year's trade deadline, an All-Star-sized vacancy was felt at first base in Wrigleyville.
Perhaps 25-year-old Alfonso Rivas is the perfect replacement.
Traded to Chicago from the Oakland Athletics' organization as a prospect in the 2020 offseason, Rivas has put up strong numbers throughout his rise in the Cubs minor league system to now being in the conversation as their future everyday first baseman.
For the California native, who was ranked as the 24th-best prospect in Oakland's organization in 2019, his consistent left-handed bat and small mix-in of power offers Chicago room for positive development in his future.
Before a right finger tendon injury ended his 2021 season, Rivas hit for a solid .318 average with 14 hits and an impressive .797 OPS in just 18 games after making his debut on August 29th.
Now in 2022, the Arizona State product has found himself between the big league club and Triple-A Iowa this season but most recently called up for Patrick Wisdom’s stint on the injured list.
Across 75 games this season for Chicago, Rivas has slashed .243/.321/.324 with a median OPS of .645. He has 45 total hits, eight for extra bases.
His most recent major league callup on August 27 came in the midst of a scorching month at the plate for Triple-A Iowa. Those numbers display the most encouraging stretch of baseball seen from the young batter this year.
His 19 hits, including five for extra bases, in the past month have added to a solid year totaling a .298 batting average and .783 OPS across 26 games in Iowa.
Amongst all International League first basemen, he has the fifth-best batting average of the year and second-best BABIP at a searing .409.
While you won’t find Rivas as a top-ranked Cubs prospect, his major league-level consistent play and room for development surely makes a case for him to be considered as the 2023 everyday first baseman.
However great his performance though, the Cubs have plenty of options to consider regarding the position moving forward. Whether it be Frank Schwindel, Patrick Wisdom, P.J. Higgins, or a call-up for 21st-ranked and power bat-swinging Matt Mervis, he seems to have plenty of competition for the first base spot.
As Rivas continues to develop, whether it be at the major league or minor league level, it seems he can provide Chicago with a promising left-handed bat well beyond 2022.
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