One Less Thing to Talk About

Other Stuff

We won’t have Matt Rizzotti to kick around anymore as the 26 year old Designated Hitter was traded this morning to the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations.  Rizzotti, the Phils 6th round pick in the 2007 draft was certainly one of the most discussed players over the last several years here at Phuture Phillies because of his ability to hit and do little else.  The trade will give him the opportunity to do just that in the American League.

The Phils made the surprising decision to have RIzzotti repeat AA after an outstanding year in 2010 at the plate for the RPhils.  Rizzotti again had a very good year in Reading in 2011 hitting .295/.392/511 with 24HR and 84 RBI. However as a liability in the field, it became apparant that the Phils felt there was no room in the organization for him.

Always gracious with his time and a very good guy….Good Luck Matt.

30 thoughts on “One Less Thing to Talk About”

  1. Still not a major leaguer, even in the American League where his lack of position is not as big if an issue. He just doesn’t hit enough to be a DH in the majors.

    AAAA player and before all the Rizzotti lovers jump all over me, I have always and still maintain that being a AAAA player is nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone on this message board including me would prob trade places with Rizzotti if we had the chance.

    Good luck in Minnesota (or mide specifically, wherever Minnesota’s AAA affiliate is) Matt

    Like

    1. Everyone (actually maybe only National League fans) seems to think of Edgar Martinez when they think of a DH. I think current DHs are tracking behind position players in output. Ibanez is a platoon DH for goodness sakes. I think Matt has a good chance, especially if the Twins don’t get production out of their current crop.

      Like

  2. And just for the record…for all the homers that alled me a hater and a jerk for not having a man crush in Rizzotti and Mathieson like I did:

    IT LOOKS LIKE IN 2 FOR 2 IN MY PREDICTIONS ABOUT THEM NEVER CONTRIBUTING TO THE PHILLIES.

    And then there was Derrick Mitchell…

    Like

  4. Interesting that this comes on the heels of him telling a reporter from Lehigh how shocked he was to be back at AA last year. I wonder if Ruben and friends didn’t like that attitude

    Like

    1. You believe the brass thinks its a bad thing that a minor leaguer had goals of being promoted instead of repeating a level he just mashed?

      Like

      1. No but when he expresses that shock after showing up out of shape – they most likely didn’t appreciate it.

        Like

  9. Not really! It is a classic example of the fans thinking someone would work his ass off to get to the Major Leagues, Galvis is there because we worked at it . PLAIN AND SIMPLE

    Like

    1. Not that plain or simple since it takes much more than just hard work to get to the majors. That being said, the Rizz certainly hurt his cause with his conditioning issues.

      Like

  11. Well in their first game sans Rizzotti, the Pigs got a HR from Overbeck and some good pitching from Elarton and Aumont. In the Reading game Gillies made two great plays on well hit balls to deep center. For those that were wondering who will be Reading’s 3B, Kennelly played there today and doubled in a run. Interestingly Jiwan James reached on a bunt single, because I’ve noticed a lot more bunting in the minor league games this season, so I guess maybe there is an emphasis on that at all levels, not just the big league club.

    Like

  12. For those of you who don’t get the Yes network, Julio Rodriguez pitched for the Phils tonight.. According to their gun he was sitting at 89-90 and hit 92 once. As far as results he walked 3, no hits or Ks but got out of the inning unscathed because of a DP.

    Like

    3. JRod…..4 or 5 rotation guy. Hopefully he can pick up 2/3 mph velo in the next couple years.

      Like

  13. Bonilla got tagged for a home run to the first batter but not before ripping off a nasty change up. Definitely looks like he’s got some potential to be nasty

    Like

    1. I thought he looked real good stuff wise. 89-94 mph fastball and a great change up. He threw a couple of good sliders too.

      Like

      1. Yes. Very good looking arm. Left two fastballs up, that got hammered, so his line won’t look good. Change-up was nasty. Fastball was 91-94. Slider was good.

        Like

Comments are closed.