Most of the recent hype surrounding Cubs catchers has centered on recently acquired Chris Gimenez, but there’s another backstop who could make a little noise in 2018. And not, I’m not talking about Victor Caratini.
The word majestic pretty much sums up my view of Ian Rice, whose beautiful uppercut swing is designed to hit the ball a long way. It may not be great for a high batting average, but it does create some well-struck baseballs when it connects. Rice’s development as a hitter really accelerated over the past two seasons and his ascension to the upper echelons of the Cubs’ system has been a breath of fresh air.