Players often gripe about their individual rating in video games, whether it be the Madden NFL or NBA 2K series.
But Anthony Rizzo isn't one of those players. Upon learning his player rating of 92 in MLB The Show 16, prior to getting on the phone with a Bleacher Report reporter, the Chicago Cubs' star accepted his position as the fourth-ranked first baseman and hopes to build off his 2015 season, which had the 26-year-old punishing pitchers to a .278 batting average with 31 home runs and 101 RBI.
"I like it, I like it. I like the overall rating," Rizzo told Bleacher Report. "The whole game so far is legit. It's probably the best one I've played."
Rizzo was ranked behind Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt and Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera, who each are rated a 96 in the highly anticipated title, and Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto (94 rating).
"I think I have a lot of work to do. I have work to do on the field, so I can get my rating up in The Show," Rizzo said pretty frankly.
He might not have as much work cut out for him as he thinks, though. His 31 homers and 101 RBI are right in the wheelhouse of Goldschmidt's 33 homers and 110 RBI and actually trumps Cabrera's 18 home runs and 76 RBI, although both those players tout better batting averages, well into the .300s and several points more than Rizzo's. Votto's 29 home runs and 80 RBI totals from last year fell behind Rizzo's power numbers, too, although the Reds first baseman had the better batting average at .314 in the 2015 season.
As the Bleacher Report interview progressed, Rizzo was especially impressed with MLB The Show 16's Showtime feature for its ability to slow the game down, something he said speaks to what players in Major League Baseball are attempting to do all the time on the diamond.
"Playing this one, they have this new feature, Showtime, that's pretty amazing. Basically slow the game down and as a player, that's what you're trying to do — slow the game down," Rizzo said. "Sometimes you could slow it down with this feature and see the ball for as long as you can."
The Cubs' star was also impressed by the upgrade in commentary for the series and all the information spouted off about him and his teammates.
MLB The Show 16 is exactly a week away from hitting stores March 29.
