A gritty, strong first baseman, Rizzo defeated cancer (lymphoma) to return to action in 2009, and ended up swatting near .300 in the Sally and Carolina leagues, including a dozen home runs and 37 doubles. In 2011, Rizzo batted .331 with 26 home runs and 101 RBI in 93 games for AAA Tucson. His terrific fundamentals and plus bat speed make him a tough out: he can make solid contact to all fields on anything close to the strike zone, and he's not afraid to take a walk on anything that isn't. Rizzo's defense isn't a jumbo mortgage on his hitting, either: unlike some sluggers who merely park at first base, he can actually field the position very well.

He was rushed to the bigs in 2011 while with the Padres, but when the Cubs call him up next, probably early in the year, he'll be stepping into a better situation in a better lineup in a better hitter's park. He'll do better.