Joe Rizzo Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2770
AVG	.263
OBP	.334
SLG	.393
HR	66

Full name Joseph Rizzo
Born 03/31/1998 in Hackensack, NJ
Profile Ht.: 5'9" / Wt.: 194 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Oakton
Drafted in the 2nd round (50th overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2016 (signed for $1,750,000).

View Draft Report

Rizzo dazzled on the showcase circuit, especially at Perfect Game National and East Coast Pro, displaying a plus lefthanded hit tool and excellent feel for the barrel. With his stocky 5-foot-11, 215-pound frame, Rizzo shows plus raw power in batting practice that plays closer to average power in games. He's the starting shortstop at Oakton High in Vienna, Va., but scouts aren't sure where his body and defensive skill set fit best. He has experience playing third base and has worked out for teams as a catcher, although his long arm action hampers his throwing from behind the plate, and he could potentially end up at first base. A South Carolina commit, Rizzo should entice teams with his natural hitting ability but will need to find a position.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Track Record: Drafted out of a Virginia high school in the second round in 2016, Rizzo took a step back in 2018. He hit .241/.303/.321 for high Class A Modesto in the hitter-friendly California League. Rizzo also didn't do much to answer questions about whether he could handle third base.

Scouting Report: Despite not showing a lot of impact with his bat in 2018, Rizzo still has believers who think he can develop into a serviceable hitter. He's still learning to make adjustments, possesses solid bat-to-ball skills and has outstanding makeup. He shows good raw power, but it has yet to show up in games. The biggest question is where Rizzo fits on the field because he is not very skilled defensively. His tick above-average arm is enough for third base, but he struggles with range to both his right and left. At 5-foot-9, Rizzo is too short for first base, and his below-average speed limits his chances at other positions.

The Future: Rizzo will return to Modesto in 2019, when he'll be 21 and more age-appropriate for the Cal League. It'll be a key year for Rizzo, who needs to show growth in both his bat and glove.
Teams considered Rizzo one of the top high school hitters available in the 2016 draft, and the Mariners selected him 50th overall and signed him for $1.75 million. He made his full-season debut with 110 games at low Class A Clinton in 2017 before moving up to high Class A Modesto at the end of the year. Though he struggled most of the regular season, Rizzo was named MVP of the California League championship series after batting 7-for-13 in the final round to help Modesto capture the crown. Rizzo is a polarizing prospect. He shows a feel for hitting and advanced plate discipline, but his supposed above-average raw power doesn't show up in batting practice or games and scouts say that you are betting very heavily on the bat because of his other limitations. Rizzo has to work on strength and conditioning to get the most out of his limited athleticism and physical skills. It's uncertain whether Rizzo has a future at third base. His tick above-average arm is enough for the position, but he needs to work on his thick lower half to stay quick enough for the hot corner. If he has to move off third base his short stature isn't an ideal fit at first base and his below-average speed doesn't work well in the outfield. Rizzo's performance in the Cal League playoffs was encouraging, and he'll return to Modesto to start 2018. He needs to work hard on his conditioning, but has the work ethic and attitude to succeed.
Rizzo was considered one of the best pure high school hitters in the 2016 draft with exceptional feel for the barrel and a strong swing that played against any velocity. The Mariners drafted him 50th overall and signed him for $1.5 million to forgo a South Carolina commitment. Rizzo combines his natural knack for hitting with a patient approach that helps him work counts and get his pitch to hit, which he rarely misses. He is a plus hitter in the eyes of scouts both inside and outside the organization. He shows above-average to plus raw power in batting practice that plays average in games, although he should develop more power with natural physical maturity over time. Defensively, Rizzo is a question mark at third base with a thick build that made some teams want to try him at catcher. The Mariners have been happy with his early performance at third, including better-than-expected range and an average arm. He has a grinder personality and strong work ethic, so there is belief he will put the work in to become an average third baseman. Regardless of how his defense develops, Rizzo's bat will be what carries him. He will start 2017 in extended spring training before reporting to short-season Everett.

Draft Prospects

Rizzo dazzled on the showcase circuit, especially at Perfect Game National and East Coast Pro, displaying a plus lefthanded hit tool and excellent feel for the barrel. With his stocky 5-foot-11, 215-pound frame, Rizzo shows plus raw power in batting practice that plays closer to average power in games. He's the starting shortstop at Oakton High in Vienna, Va., but scouts aren't sure where his body and defensive skill set fit best. He has experience playing third base and has worked out for teams as a catcher, although his long arm action hampers his throwing from behind the plate, and he could potentially end up at first base. A South Carolina commit, Rizzo should entice teams with his natural hitting ability but will need to find a position.

Minor League Top Prospects

Rizzo was a bit of a divisive player prior to the 2016 draft, with many observers being concerned that he didn't have a natural position while others questioned the over-the-fence power of a potentially bat-only player. The AZL Mariners coaching staff was aware of that reputation when Rizzo first arrived but were pleased with what they saw in his pro debut. "He showed some stuff over at third base," Mariners manager Zac Livingston said. "I think he can play there as long as he keeps improving . . . He made some plays over there that normal bat-only guys don't make." Rizzo flashes an average arm, which is enough to handle third base. A hard-nosed grinder, he has good feel for the barrel and good bat speed. He showed a little power this summer, and Livingston believes that Rizzo's hands will allow him to drive balls over the fence once he starts staying with his gap-to-gap approach. He's a below-average runner. The Mariners gave Rizzo a breather in mid-August, sitting him down for nearly two weeks, but he returned in time to help his team to the AZL championship.

Scouting Reports

Track Record: Teams considered Rizzo one of the top high school hitters available in the 2016 draft, and the Mariners selected him 50th overall and signed him for $1.75 million. He made his full-season debut with 110 games at low Class A Clinton in 2017 before moving up to high Class A Modesto. Scouting Report: Though he struggled most of the regular season, Rizzo was named MVP of the California League championship series after going 7-for-13 in the final round to help Modesto capture the crown. Rizzo is a polarizing prospect. He shows a feel for hitting and advanced plate discipline, but his supposed above-average raw power doesn't show up in batting practice or games. Rizzo has to work on strength and conditioning to get the most out of his limited athleticism and physical skills. His tick above-average arm is enough for third base, but he needs to work on his thick lower half to stay quick enough. If he has to move off third base, his short stature isn't ideal at first base and his below-average speed doesn't work well in the outfield. The Future: Rizzo's performance in the Cal League playoffs was encouraging, and he'll return to Modesto to start 2018.