2016, Dipoto’s first draft class with the Mariners, got off to a fantastic start. Long considered to be a Top 5 pick, Kyle Lewis slipped to 11, and Dipoto jumped on the opportunity to select him. With all the euphoria surrounding that pick, some over looked Dipoto’s second selection, a high school infielder named Joe Rizzo.
Entering the draft, Rizzo was widely considered on of the top prep bats in the class. However, concerns about his size and profile, pushed him to pick 50. Dipoto happily snatched him then.
The concerns about Rizzo’s size are not unfounded.