Anthony Rizzo Options

[amarshal2]

Rizzo is a big and physical 1B. The Red Sox were said to be excited by his better than expected defense and approach at the plate in fall instrux (per Jim Callis). Rizzo has a fluid swing with strong power potential and contact skills. He fell in the draft due to contract demands but eventually signed in the 6th round for early 3rd round money. I would expect Rizzo to see lots of time at Greenville in 2008.

Every year there are a couple guys who get lots of buzz in the offseason and seem to improve their perceived prospect status without picking up a bat or glove. This year Rizzo seems to be one of those guys (along with Ryan Kalish).

Steve ATL: Happy New Year, Jim, Sox Come out Thursday. I know you love Lars, but what do you think about Mailman, Rizzo, Almanzar and Place? Any with star potential?

Jim Callis: (2:11 PM ET ) That reminds me--I'll be doing a Red Sox prospects chat at baseballamerica.com on Friday. I'd rank those guys (and I did in the Prospect Handbook): 3B Michael Almanzar, 1B Anthony Rizzo, OF Jason Place, OF David Mailman. May be selling Mailman a little short there. The Red Sox are very enthused about Rizzo

link (insider)

This is hardly the first time I've heard similar stuff about Rizzo. Label this one a mild sleeper alert.

His stats in the GCL were interesting if only because he struck out only twice in all of 21 AB's. Obviously there's very little meaning here but you often see young kids start overmatched with big strike-out numbers at their first level - particularly when they're 17 years old. I always take notice when a kid can control his strike-outs when he's first starting out in pro ball or after a big promotion. I get more interested when the player is supposed to be a power hitter. Recent young Red Sox power prospects who showed very low strike-out rates to begin their career (off the top of my head) include Josh Reddick, Ryan Kalish, and Chih-Hsien Chiang. That there's already a little hype swirling around Rizzo makes it all the more interesting.

Check out his SoxProspects.com player page for more info.
Anthony Rizzo

This post has been edited by amarshal2: Jan 5 2008, 11:19 AM

[amarshal2]

Anthony Rizzo will start at Greenville (full-season low A) at the tender age of 18.

per SoxProspects.com

This post has been edited by amarshal2: Mar 27 2008, 03:43 PM

[amarshal2]

Rizzo needs some love, asap.

amfox1 wrote:Rizzo has 13 hits (3 doubles) and a walk in his last 24 PAs (2 Ks).

Hairps wrote:

I'm looking at you, Rizzo.

Here's a list of players 18-and-under, who posted an OPS over .700 (non-league or park-adjusted) in Single A (min. 150 ABs):

2007

Carlos Triunfel 17 WIS MWL A SEA .309 .342 .388 .730
Christopher Marrero 18 HAG SAL A WSN .293 .337 .545 .882
Billy Rowell 18 DEL SAL A BAL .273 .335 .426 .761

2006:

Fernando Martinez 17 HAG SAL A NYM .333 .389 .505 .894
Jose Tabata 17 CSC SAL A NYY .298 .377 .420 .797
Justin Upton 18 SBN MWL A ARI .263 .343 .413 .756

2005:

N/A

2004:

Daric Barton 18 PEO MWL A STL .313 .437 .511 .948
Delmon Young 18 CSC SAL A TBD .322 .385 .538 .923
Adam Jones 18 WIS MWL A SEA .267 .311 .404 .715


http://minors.baseball-reference.com/bat_l...d=&sort=age

Through his first 11 games:
[table=Sheet1][tr][td=*]G [/td][td=*]AB [/td][td=*]H [/td][td=*]2B [/td][td=*]3B [/td][td=*]HR [/td][td=*]BB [/td][td=*]SO [/td][td=*]AVG [/td][td=*]OBP [/td][td=*]SLG [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]11 [/td][td=*]41 [/td][td=*]15 [/td][td=*]3 [/td][td=*]0 [/td][td=*]0 [/td][td=*]2 [/td][td=*]6 [/td][td=*]0.366 [/td][td=*]0.409 [/td][td=*]0.439 [/td][/tr][/table]

Pointing out the lack of power at this stage is a major nitpick. As you've probably noticed from Hairps' post, Rizzo is doing impressive things for his age. He's posted a 14% K/AB rate in the early going which is probably the first thing I look at after the vitals in a young prospect. Definitely one to keep an eye on as he adjusts this year. Top prospect potential.

This post has been edited by amarshal2: Apr 15 2008, 11:00 PM

[templeUsox]

For fun, lets look at all the low-A seasons of players 18 years old or under with OPS's over .800 since 1992:

[table=Table][tr][td=*]Year [/td][td=*]Name [/td][td=*]Age [/td][td=*]OPS [/td][td=*]BB/K [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]1992 [/td][td=*]Dmitri Young [/td][td=*]18 [/td][td=*]0.868 [/td][td=*]51/94 [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]1994 [/td][td=*]Richardo Hidalgo [/td][td=*]18 [/td][td=*]0.817 [/td][td=*]23/80 [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]1995 [/td][td=*]Andruw Jones [/td][td=*]18 [/td][td=*]0.873 [/td][td=*]70/122 [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]1996 [/td][td=*]Chad Hermansen [/td][td=*]18 [/td][td=*]0.873 [/td][td=*]38/65 [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]1996 [/td][td=*]Adrian Beltre [/td][td=*]17 [/td][td=*]0.980 [/td][td=*]35/46 [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]1999 [/td][td=*]Sean Burroughs [/td][td=*]18 [/td][td=*]0.933 [/td][td=*]74/59 [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]2000 [/td][td=*]Chris Snelling [/td][td=*]18 [/td][td=*]0.869 [/td][td=*]34/34 [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]2001 [/td][td=*]Jose Reyes [/td][td=*]18 [/td][td=*]0.808 [/td][td=*]18/71 [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]2002 [/td][td=*]Andy Marte [/td][td=*]18 [/td][td=*]0.828 [/td][td=*]41/114 [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]2003 [/td][td=*]BJ Upton [/td][td=*]18 [/td][td=*]0.837 [/td][td=*]57/80 [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]2004 [/td][td=*]Delmon Young [/td][td=*]18 [/td][td=*]0.923 [/td][td=*]53/120 [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]2004 [/td][td=*]Daric Barton [/td][td=*]18 [/td][td=*]0.948 [/td][td=*]69/44 [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]2006 [/td][td=*]Fernando Martinez [/td][td=*]17 [/td][td=*]0.894 [/td][td=*]15/36 [/td][/tr][tr][td=*]2007 [/td][td=*]Chris Marrero [/td][td=*]18 [/td][td=*]0.882 [/td][td=*]14/39 [/td][/tr][/table]

I mean, it's not an automatic ticket-punch to the major leagues, but it's about as close as a low-A player is going to get. Every player on this list got at least 1 MLB AB and many of them turned into stars of one type or another. Of course, Rizzo is a long way off from having an OPS over .800 for the season, but if he does, he'll be in excellent company.

Also, for the sake of full disclosure, all of these players are/were higher up on the defensive spectrum than Rizzo.

This post has been edited by templeUsox: Apr 16 2008, 12:31 AM

[scotian1]

Hitting .366 as a high school age player in full season A ball certainly is drawing my attention. Being 6'3" and 220 lbs at 18 would make one think that the potential for significant power is there. His performance so far is getting me excited.

[philly sox fan]

Also, for the sake of full disclosure, all of these players are/were higher up on the defensive spectrum than Rizzo.

That's a big issue as the bar at 1B is pretty high, but 4 of those guys were or became bat first prospects - Barton, Burroughs, Dmitri Young and Marrero.

Barton and Burroughs offset thier defensive limitations and questionable power with ridiculously great BB/K ratios. In contrast, Rizzo is sitting at 2 BB so far.

Young was the a top 5 overall pick so he was probably fairly athletic at 18 so the amatuer pedigree doesn't quite fit there.

Marrero also had a much better pedigree and was a very different style of prospect with present power lready showing up.

Certainly a very encouraging start and both lists are quite appealing. Although just about anything at 18 is fine and I am a big beleiver in the pimary importance of the ability to make contact, it'll be interesting to watch if/how those scondary skills offset his sure to come BA decline.

Looking at his 1st inning page I guess you'd say the statisitical downsides would be:

- a very high .429 BABIP with a 61% GB rate and a very low 9% LD rate. Lots of groundball singles for the future power hitting 1B

- and his BB% stuck in the 4s as his K% doubles at the jump in competition. The latter is still good and the samples all around are meaninglessly small

link

[TheGoldenGreek33]

I would also note how well Rizzo has been hitting to all fields.

Singles- LF: 4, CF: 4, RF: 4
Doubles- LF: 1, CF: 2, RF: 0

The power will come as he's not hitting a lot of fly balls right now. His BABIP is pretty high for as many groundballs as he's been hitting so you probably won't see him maintain that high average.

This post has been edited by TheGoldenGreek33: Apr 16 2008, 12:46 PM

[philly sox fan]

Just another name for the various lists that someone should have mentioned by now...

The Yankees own Jesus Montero is also playing at 18 in the SAL and currently hitting 364/397/545 with a 10/2 K/BB ratio.

Obviously much more like Chris Marrero in terms of present power and pedigree, but also at least for now much better BA and contact.

[SouthPaw21]

Rizzo was #13 on this weeks Prospect Hot Sheet over at Baseball America....

Team: low Class A Greenville (South Atlantic)
Age: 18
Why he's here: .500/.519/.577, 13-for-26, 2 2B, 6 RBIs
The Scoop: Taken in the sixth round of last year's draft, Rizzo is still proving his prospect status after signing at the deadline last year. Plus, he faces a large roadblock in the form of Lars Anderson on Boston's first base prospect depth chart. But the start he's off to just can't be overlooked. Rizzo had five multi-hit games this week, and has gotten a knock in 13 of the last 14 games. He also had RBIs in five straight games.

[ekim colorwaterp...]

I was wondering why Rizzo hadn't played in awhile and according to GG33 over at Sox Prospects he is on the DL with kidney inflammation.

[Caspir]

Anthony has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma

The Red Sox just released a statement about one of their prospects, Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo had been playing with Single A Greenville this season, after being drafted in the sixth round in 2007.

Rizzo was diagnosed with Limited Stage Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He's currently being treated as an outpatient at Massachusetts General Hospital. He will return to his home in Miami in the next few days to continue treatment. According to the statement, "he has an excellent chance of cure and complete recovery." The treatment is expected to take six to eight months.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Anthony and his family at this very difficult time,” general manager Theo Epstein said in a statement. “We are optimistic about his recovery and look forward to the day he can return to the playing field.”

[SouthPaw21]

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel has an article about Rizzo in today's paper...

And Rizzo didn't need to look beyond the Red Sox roster for evidence he could beat cancer and continue his career.

Boston pitcher Jon Lester had anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, a similar type of cancer to Rizzo's, and third baseman Mike Lowell had testicular cancer.

Lowell and Lester have been in touch with Rizzo, who is home in Parkland but not talking to the media while he is undergoing the expected six months of chemotherapy.

[SouthPaw21]

In the November 24th version of Ask BA, Jim Callis revealed the scouting report for Anthony Rizzo. According to Callis, Baseball America ranked him #21 in the Red Sox system.

21. Anthony Rizzo, 1b
Born: Aug. 8, 1989. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 220. Drafted: HS—Parkland, Fla., 2007 (6th round). Signed by: Laz Gutierrez.
Rizzo was hitting .373 as an 18-year-old in low Class A when he was sidelined by what was thought to be a kidney infection in late April. Instead, he learned that he had with limited stage classical Hodgkin's lymphoma, one of the more treatable forms of cancer. He missed the rest of season to get treatment, though he was able to hit in instructional league between chemotherapy sessions, which were scheduled to end in November. His cancer is in remission and he's expected to be able to fully participate in spring training. After signing for an above-slot $325,000 as a sixth-rounder in 2007, Rizzo enthused the Red Sox with his advanced approach at the plate. He continued to draw raves in 2008 before he became ill. His swing is geared more toward left-center at this point, and as he learns to turn on more pitches, he could hit 20 or more homers per season. Though he's a below-average runner, Rizzo shows agility and soft hands at first base. Also a pitcher in high school, he has a stronger arm than most first basemen. Rizzo's makeup and work ethic are also assets and should aid in his recovery. Boston won't push him but cautiously hopes he'll be able to open the season back in Greenville.

[jdkear]

i talked with anthony rizzo in ft. myers on thursday. he said that that he is totally clean of cancer, feels great and is ready to play baseball. btw, hagadone was also there with him (showed me his scar and talked about TommyJohn) he said that he threw 40 pitches that morning and feels like he will be wide open by may. the current plan is to keep them both down in xtnded spring training for now.

[phrenile]

"Taking a closer look at top Red Sox prospects" (Portland Press Herald):

Rizzo, a 19-year-old first baseman, is this year's feel-good story, having come back from a battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was batting .373 in 21 games at Greenville before being diagnosed.

Rizzo has looked strong this spring but will understandably be brought along slowly. He should go back to Greenville, with Salem on the horizon.

[phrenile]

Sounds like Rizzo had a pretty good game yesterday (Baseball America liveblog):

Also, Drive 1B Anthony Rizzo is making his first return to action since beating cancer last year. He’ll be seeing his first game action since late last April.
...
Anthony Rizzo drew a four pitch walk in his first at-bat, showing he wasn’t overanxious in his first at-bat in almost a year. That put two runners on with two outs, and Drive catcher Tim Federowicz drove a 2-1 fastball over the left field wall to give the Drive a 3-0 lead.
...
Sac fly by Anthony Rizzo makes it 5-2 Drive.
...
Anthony Rizzo just saved two runs, diving to his left to snare a grounder by Galloway on an 0-2 pitch. The runners advanced though, now 2nd and 3rd with one out.
...
Time for a conference on the mound as Evans has allowed the first two to reach on a single by Rizzo and hit batsman for Tim Federowicz.
...
Maybe the biggest moment of the game so far, Andrelczyk gave up a leadoff single to David Mailman who promptly stole second. However, Andrelczyk got out of it by retiring the next three hitters and ended the inning by fanning Anthony Rizzo swinging, prompting a pretty emphatic fist pump by Andrelczyk.

[Chainsaw318]

First 4 Games (I'm setting up a table, and reteaching myself old Excel tricks, so bear with the text until some other time):

4/9 - 1/3, RBI, BB, K
4/11 - 1/3, 2B, RBI, BB
4/11 - 0/2, BB
4/12 - 2/4, HR, 3 RBI, BB, K

2009

OPP	AVG	AB	Run	Hits	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K
@GBO	0.333	3	1	1	0	0	0	1	1	1
@GBO	0.333	3	1	1	1	0	0	1	1	0
@GBO	0.250	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
@GBO	0.333	4	2	2	0	0	1	3	1	1
Total:	0.333	12	4	4	1	0	1	5	4	2

This post has been edited by Chainsaw318: Apr 23 2009, 09:23 PM

[LondonSox]

Can a man get a bump for the 315/433/537/970 Start!!

[Eric Van]

How good is this guy? He has now a significant sample of 168 PA in low-A at ages 18 and 19, and has hit .351 / .411 / .483 with a significant improvement in both BB rate and Iso over the two partial seasons. And, oh, yeah, he had cancer in between. These are much better numbers than Lars put up (.288 / .385 / .443) at the same level and essentially the same age.

The other teenagers on the team are all struggling and he's outhitting even the best of the older hitters, so it's not like the numbers are inflated by crap opposition pitching.

He's 9th in the league in OPS and there's not another player in the top 13 who was born in 1988, let alone August of 1989.

You want an early pick for a breakout into Top 10 Prospect status, this is the guy.

This post has been edited by Eric Van: Apr 27 2009, 12:07 PM

[Cuzittt]

You want an early pick for a breakout into Top 10 Prospect status, this is the guy.

It's always tough to figure out what is real and what is SSS (as you well know). But... I really wanted to break my own criteria and put him on my Top 20 list this year... and he may have broken into the top 10. What he did last year was far more impressive than what Ryan Kalish did a two years ago which vaulted him into top 5 status by seemingly everyone.

IF he continues this... especially if he continues this when he is promoted to Salem... he may be a Top 5 prospect.