Joe Rizzo, 3B, Seattle Mariners

Surprised to see him listed at 5’9″, definitely a bit taller, and considerably more durable than height would suggest … Open stance with low hand set to start at the plate; longer, slow lean back into load before he really jumps out to attack the ball. Great bat speed with ideal bat path and swing plane to produce line drive pop. Surprisingly good and advanced plate coverage with an orientation to hit the ball hard to all fields; will go the other way with authority when he’s pitched out there; doesn’t get too pull happy. Really, really love his swing; going to do a ton of damage as he continues to develop, and has a shot to produce considerable gap-to-gap pop and some over-the-fence power with it, too. One issue I have with his swing is a tendency to lunge out at the ball that’ll occasionally have his front side leaking forward instead of keeping back against good off-speed; the swing and miss in his game shows up there when he gets off balance, and it bears watching how he’ll adjust to better off-speed as he moves up the minor league ladder. That said, though, people are sleeping on his swing and his ability to hit the ball hard … Timed 4.28 and 4.29 up the line from the LHH box; 8.76 to second on a standing double … Pleasantly surprised by his defensive development this season compared to late last year in the California League playoffs; he’s taken some serious strides forward at third base and looks much smoother with better range there. Smooth, proficient lateral movement at third, particularly to his arm side; made a couple nice big-time range plays early in my April look with Modesto. Throws well on the run, too; showed a strong arm there and was accurate to target even when off balance and on the run … All-around game has developed quite a bit between my looks late last year and early this year; nice prospect follow right now and a shot to be a productive big leaguer in a couple years … Very good young prospect; ahead of schedule for the Cal League and already holding his own here. Everyday third baseman for me at ceiling; others have questioned positional future and there’s always a chance he moves out to left field if need be, but he’s taken significant strides forward with his defensive work coming into 2018; combine that with his swing and the upside in his bat, and the Seattle Mariners could soon have an everyday third baseman in Joe Rizzo if things go according to plan

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