Anthony Rizzo's 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame didn't stop him from batting leadoff for 14 games last season, and the Cubs first baseman said he would like to be more versatile in the field as well as at the plate.
"I wish I could play more defense somewhere else," he said.
Manager Joe Maddon actually wasn't afraid to use the left-handed-throwing Rizzo at third base for one inning and in left field for one batter in 2017.
Rizzo's reputation as one of the most feared hitters in the National League is supplemented with his evolving versatility — from stealing 17 bases in 2015 to frequently being deployed within 50 feet of home plate in sacrifice bunt situations because of his fielding and throwing abilities.
That versatility breaks the stereotype of the offense-minded position as Rizzo ranks among the upper echelon of first basemen, which includes Paul Goldschmidt and Joey Votto.
"(Votto) has a Gold Glove under his belt. So does Goldschmidt," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "But Rizzo is a terrific defensive player, a solid, above-average defender. The fact that Joe put him at third base against us last year, I didn't think that's necessarily a testament to his defensive prowess. But he's a superb defensive player.
"You talk about well-rounded guys who will draw a walk, defend, savvy on the base paths, produce runs and will lead."
Rizzo's ascent has paralleled that of the Cubs, and the time is ripe for him to become even more of a clubhouse leader.
"When I first got here (in 2015), I was told about Rizzo being a leader," Maddon said. "(I thought) 'You have to be kidding me, he's not ready for that. And don't even put that on him. That's unfair when you try to give that kind of responsibility to a guy who is not ready for it.'
"But now he is. He's older, mentored properly and unfortunately what he went through takes it over the top."
Maddon was referring to Rizzo feeling the need to speak at a Feb. 15 vigil in memory of the 17 people who were killed one day earlier in mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. — Rizzo's alma mater.
After rejoining his Cubs teammates, Rizzo said his speech was the "hardest thing he ever has had to do" in his 28 years. But those who have known him since his developmental years as a minor-league prospect and as a Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor weren't surprised by his instant urge to support his community.
"He spends a lot of time and money for very little fanfare to do a lot of really good things," said Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer, who has helped acquire Rizzo in trades with the Padres and Cubs. "It doesn't surprise me at all."
The paths of Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and Rizzo crossed during the 2010 season in the Red Sox system, leaving Lovullo with an indelible impression.
"(Rizzo) was paying attention to the little things, and it's translated," Lovullo said. "That's what Goldschmidt did when he was working his way through the minor leagues. He didn't want to be a one-dimensional player. He wanted to impact the game every way he could."
Despite a craving to play other positions, Rizzo knows his biggest defensive value to the Cubs remains at first base, where "that's my job to make the infielders look good and me not good," said Rizzo, who was credited with 11 runs saved in 2017 and 30 over the past three seasons at first.
"Hitting in the lineup is just hitting. I'm most comfortable hitting third and fourth, but when certain times call for it, and it has to be done (elsewhere), it has to be done."
A lack of production and injuries to teammates prompted Maddon to put Rizzo at the top of the order in mid-June, and Rizzo responded with a .300 batting average and a .373 on-base percentage to go with five home runs and 11 runs scored in 14 starts.
Although Rizzo didn't steal any bases from the leadoff spot, he managed to steal 10 in 2017 as he retained tips former Cubs first base coach Dave McKay gave him.
Under McKay's supervision, Goldschmidt has stolen 71 bases to go with 93 homers over a three-year span.
"(McKay) is awesome at picking up certain things," Rizzo said. "If you're not a one-dimensional power-hitting first baseman, (opponents) don't know what to look for."
Rizzo doesn't see the fuss over playing other positions.
"You catch the ball and throw the ball — it's as simple as that," Rizzo said. "Obviously, there's a technique that's harder over the long course, and you can get burned on it. But for a game or two here or there, or if someone needs to fill in ...
"(Shohei Ohtani) is a guy who is going to be a two-way player. Why can't a lefty play second base or even catcher?"
Much of Rizzo's ascent, which started in 2014 with a 53-point climb in batting average and continued with three consecutive 100-RBI seasons, occurred after assistant hitting coach Eric Hinske suggested Rizzo move closer to home plate.
But Hinske left shortly after the 2017 season to become the hitting coach with the Angels.
"I owe 'Ske' a lot," Rizzo said. "He's one of my mentors in this game and I've leaned on him a lot in the past four years — more than anyone will know. And I'll still lean on him. He's still one of my very good friends.
"Obviously, he's not here anymore. But at some point, and I've learned when I was young, you have to be your own hitting coach. You got to be able to coach yourself the best. Chili (Davis) and (Andy) Haines will be there (this season). They're great. They'll be there mentally for me.
"But at the end of the day, I have to know what's working for me and what's not."
Rizzo's initial struggles as a 21-year-old with the Padres, combined with a chance to grow in another organization with executives familiar with his upbringing and ability to overcome health battles with relentless determination, have made his career virtually complete.
"We probably popped him to the big leagues a little sooner than probably what we should have," said Bud Black, who managed Rizzo with the Padres and saw him struggle with a .141 batting average compounded by a six-week demotion to the minors. "But it's fun to see new players, and then for him to go to Chicago when the Cubs were at that point, and watching him grow to where he is now and what the Cubs have become. It makes total sense to me what has happened.
"He has grown as a player. He's talented. The work ethic, the will, the strength, just the athletic moves. The big guy's athleticism is real. It doesn't surprise me."
