Anthony Rizzo News

It's too early to say who will be the first player taken in the 2013 draft - could be University of Florida pitcher Karsten Whitson or another advanced college prospect or a high school stud like Austin Meadows, an outfielder from Georgia, or Clinton Hollon, a hard-throwing pitcher from Kentucky.

Mar 15, 2012; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs infielder Anthony Rizzo watches from the bench during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Hohokam Stadium.

Through 46 games it's clear the 2012 Padres are no better than the 2011 Padres. A In fact, they've scored 14 less runs over that time period - which is sad considering the 2011 Padres were shut-out nine times in their first 46 games.

Don't expect Cubs GM Jed Hoyer, left, and President Theo Epstein to make major additions to the team this season.

Lots of talk today about Anthony Rizzo trying to force Jed Hoyer's hand in the Cubs farm system.

Injuries to big leaguers often offer an unexpected path to the show for minor leaguers.

The trade deadline is still over two months away, but already it is becoming evident who will be a buyer and who will be a seller come July.

DES MOINES, Iowa On Monday, the Rainiers won a game while issuing 10 walks for the first time in four years.

Anthony Rizzo was one of the most beloved prospects the Padres have seen come through the system in a long time.

As much as the Cubs ' lineup needs a jolt, I'm all for the long-term benefits of leaving Anthony Rizzo in the minors until the team ensures maximum control of his arbitration rights.

Eric Hosmer's terrible start at the plate this season has made him available in many a fantasy league on waivers or by trade.

The 2012 MLB season is roughly a quarter of the way over, and while there have been a handful of teams that have established themselves as elite at this point, the middle of the pack is made up of nearly half of the MLB.

OK, Theo, what are you waiting for? With 91-degree temperatures and southwesterly winds turning Wrigley Field into a hitter's delight, the Cubs staged a 2-hour, 57-minute argument for Anthony Rizzo on Sunday.

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Rizzo is hitting .353 with 14 home runs, has a .416 OBP in 150 at-bats and is getting hot again, hitting .350 in his last 10 games with seven home runs, 14 RBI, four extra-base hits and a K-BB ratio of 6-to-4. There is no doubt Rizzo will be joining the Cubs in the very near future.

San Diego Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso has declared a truce with Petco Park.

Another late-inning scare: A day after the Fresno Grizzlies gave up five runs in the ninth and lost, reliever Dan Otero almost suffered a similar fate Tuesday afternoon after allowing two runs off four hits in the eighth to blow the save.

Dave Bialas, Rizzo's manager at Iowa, says he's a great defensive first baseman, and the Cubs have discussed moving Bryan LaHair to the outfield to make room for Rizzo at first.

Today: 4:05 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park. Padres LHP Clayton Richard vs. Phillies RHP Vance Worley .

Anthony Rizzo's .357 average and 31 RBI in Triple A this season may force the Cubs to make room for him on their roster.