"He's been a major negative for this team" - Sports radio host takes shots at Anthony Rizzo, believes he's been a problem for Yankees
New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo is struggling this season in the field. He's coming off a Tuesday game against the Los Angeles Angels, where he booted a groundball that eventually led to the Halos' 4-3 victory.
That would have been Rizzo's fourth error in 55 games, which would have tied him for most among MLB first basemen, but the error was later changed to a hit.
At the plate, while he has had a few good weeks, he has struggled outside that. It has gotten to the point that WFAN sports radio host Chris McMonigle took shots at the veteran slugger during a recent airing.
"Rizzo has been terrible this year. He's 9-for-46 and slugging under .200 in that time. He had a brief week and a half where it looked like he was coming out of it, and he's right back at it. And his defense has been awful," - said McMonigle.
Luckily, for Rizzo, the Bronx Bombers have gotten off to a great start, hiding his faults. They sit atop the American League East, with a 1.5-game lead over the exciting Baltimore Orioles.
"He's been a major negative for this team. Rizzo has been a problem" - said McMonigle.
McMonigle believes Rizzo has negatively impacted this team. If he doesn't turn it around, these thoughts are only going to grow louder.
Aaron Boone is not too concerned over Yankees' slugger Anthony Rizzo's defensive woes
While much of the internet is on Yankees' slugger Anthony Rizzo for the botched play in the eighth inning on Tuesday, manager Aaron Boone is not. He has full faith that Rizzo is the man to hold down the position.
"We always talk about offense going through (some struggles), but even the best goes through a little bit defensively. It can be challenging. He's still great over there. Just a couple of hiccups here lately" - said Boone.
While some are calling for a position change, that likely will not happen. Rizzo understands that he needs to be better and would be the first person to admit that, as he did after the game.
While the veteran is experiencing some hiccups, don't expect him to stay this way all season. Rizzo is one of the most talented and hardest-working first basemen in the league to struggle all year.