Client: Chicago Cubs
Source: ESPN
One month into the 2016 campaign, the star-studded Cubs roster has not failed to impress. Here are ESPN’s April All-Stars:
“Players have hot streaks all season. We just recognize them more in April because everybody starts from zero. Here are my April All-Stars — err, April plus the first two days of May.
1B — Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs. Get this: He’s running a ridiculously low .188 BABIP and yet is still hitting .230/.385/.575 and ranks second only to Chris Carter in OPS. He’s passed up Bryce Harper for the major league RBI lead (tied with Nolan Arenado) with 25, plays good defense and can contribute on the bases (17 steals in 2015, two in 2016). With runners in scoring position, he’s hitting .324/.519/.757 with four of his eight home runs. In other words, once some of those hits start falling, the numbers may get even better. That means we’re talking about an MVP candidate.
CF — Dexter Fowler, Chicago Cubs. You want your April MVP in the National League? I think you have to go with Fowler, the man nobody wanted to sign. He’s second only to Diaz among all hitters in wOBA. He’s first in WAR, first in OBP, has scored 21 runs in 23 games and his defensive metrics in center field have been better, perhaps because the Cubs have positioned him a little deeper this season. Yes, he’ll regress (.443 BABIP!), but regression is such an ugly word at this time of year. Who wants to hear that? Dream the impossible.”
ESPN, “Chicago Cubs lead the way on our April All-Stars,” May 3, 2016