Anthony Rizzo

[Dojji]

http://www.soxprospects.com/players/rizzo-anthony.htm

 

Scouting Report: Tough as nails 1B with an excellent build for his age. Nice overall approach at the plate, with a good eye, quick bat speed, impressive timing. Gap power to all fields. In the field, Rizzo is an average to above average defender with a solid arm. He has surprising lateral quickness for his size. Said to be a leader by example and a great teammate. Rizzo was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in May 2008. After receiving chemo-therapy during 2008, he was declared cancer-free in November 2008.

 

When you talk about Sox first base prospects you're probably talking Anderson, but I'm slowly becoming more impressed with Rizzo too. Quite a nice little story for the guy and despite losing a year of development to cancer treatment, Rizzo's doing very well -- in Salem at age 19 and starting to hit there. He's done well enough for himself that he's on Soxprospects' top 10 (#7) so I'd say it's time to start really keeping an eye on him.

 

He's really not that far behind Lars and could make AA in the middle of next year if he stays hot with the bat. I'm not sure his ceiling is as high as Anderson's but he's been doing well for himself so far in his young career and he doesn't lack for power. Seems to be improving his plate discipline and cutting down on the strikeouts lately as well, always a good sign.

 

I'm not sure what Rizzo's role long term could be with Boston. If we keep Anderson, he's pretty much blocked because we'd want a RHH backup. On the other hand, having another solid 1B coming up the pipe might make Anderson himself expendable if teams ask for him in return for a big time bat or arm. Beyond that though, he looks like he'll develop into a really good trade chip rather than a solid player for the Sox. But he's still worth watching -- one of the few good stories this year among Boston position player prospects.

[Looch Ness Monster]

The thing about Anthony Rizzo is..it's his first year back from cancer so no matter how great he does or how horrible he is..you can't really judge him based on this season.

 

I'm looking at 2010 as Rizzo's big year to prove himself but it seems like he can hit fairly well at every level. He'll have a chance to improve his power and plate discipline in Salem for the rest of 2009 and a little bit of 2010, then I see him moving to AA Portland once Anderson is with AAA Pawtucket.

[Dojji]

I'd say the fact that he's doing reasonably well, and at an advanced level for his age, a year following cancer treatment, allows you to judge a lot. I don't know where his ceiling is, but I'd say at this point that it's high.

 

But you're right not to be too worried if Rizzo slows down towards the end of the year or starts slumping in Salem at age 19.