Rizzotti Staying Hot With Sights Set on Majors
Last season, Rizzotti shot up two levels in the Phillies’ developmental ranks. The 6-foot-5-inch, 265-pound slugger began the 2010 season with the High A level Clearwater Threshers, earning a promotion to Double A Reading before ultimately landing with the Triple A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Combined at the three levels, Rizzotti batted .343 with 36 doubles, 17 homers and 76 RBI in 124 games played. He was also selected to the Eastern League All-star game.
Thus far this year, Rizzotti is continuing to wreck EL pitching. Back with Reading, the Floral Park, NY native is batting .359 with 8 homeruns and 30 RBI in 39 games played.
Compared by some to the likes of former Phillie Jim Thome, at times, Rizzotti is similar to Howard also, in that all three players possess large frames that are best suited to man first base on the field. However, some baseball heads who have scouted Rizzotti claim that his defense requires a lot of improvement. Rizzotti hears those remarks.
“I’ve actually heard the term that I’m a butcher. I mean, I like meat, I really do. I enjoy a steak here and there. I don’t know about being a butcher though. I’m gonna try and get better and I guess the butcher will be trying to perfect his cuts,” Rizzotti joked.
Kidding aside, Rizzotti is pleased to speak of his time with the big club in Spring Training this year and anticipates more opportunities to play at that level. In 5 at bats, Rizzotti slammed a double and a homerun, while driving in 2 runs. Despite the success, attention and accolades, Rizzotti still remained a bit of a kid in a candy store when it came to participating in action with established MLB veterans this past spring.
“It’s every minor leaguer’s dream to just go up there. It was pretty cool, that there are guys we grew up watching on TV. It was just a taste of what it’s like and how cool it is to actually be up on that level,” Rizzotti said.
The 25-year-old Rizzotti cites spending time with Howard this spring as something he waited a long time for and a highlight of his professional career to date.
“Me and him had some good conversations about hitting. It was just good to be around him. Ryan Howard, it was just great to sit down and pick his brain and see what his whole theory is on hitting,” Rizzotti stated.
Drawing an explosive output from his own abilities over the past two seasons, Rizzotti will be sure to draw interest from other teams as the trading deadline approaches this season. The Phillies will be sure to listen to such inquiries, as they too realize that Rizzotti is relatively blocked by the man known as “The Big Piece”.
For now, Rizzotti mashes hurlers’ offerings as a member of the R-Phils. Time will tell if he can get the opportunity to move up and do so as a member of the big league Phils, or if it’s as a member of another organization.
Either way…he’s the Rizz, and nobody beats him.
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Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider. You can check out more content from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.
