MIAMI -- If the Chicago Cubs sent Anthony Rizzo to the World Baseball Classic with any misgivings that he might return with an injury or some bad habits at the plate, they need not have worried. The Cubs' top prospect and Team Italy's starting first baseman is loving the experience and winning raves from the veteran Italian players and coaches for his skill on the field and his comportment away from it.

Rizzo is also pocketing some pleasant memories and neat souvenirs. During the first round of the tournament, he exchanged caps with Mexico's Luis Cruz, Canada's Joey Votto and Ryan Braun of Team USA. Rizzo also enjoyed a classic family bonding moment when his father, John, accompanied the Italian squad on a charter flight. John met Team Italy hitting coach Mike Piazza, sat up near the front of the plane and watched some TV, and has since entrusted Anthony with getting a couple of signed copies of Piazza's autobiography, "Long Shot.''

Anthony Rizzo has batted third in the lineup in each of Team Italy's four games in the WBC. Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

It's only natural for Rizzo to be impressed hanging around Piazza, one of the greatest offensive catchers in history, or fellow Team Italy coach Frank Catalanotto, who batted .291 and accumulated 1,113 hits over 14 major league seasons. But the feeling is clearly mutual. Rizzo is winning points with the Italian staff for reasons other than the fact his great-grandparents hailed from Sicily.

"Some guys on this team might be sick and tired of hearing me say it, but this kid is going to be a superstar,'' Catalanotto said. "I've told Piazza that a bunch of times already. It's not only his baseball skills, but his whole makeup. When I was 23 years old and in the big leagues, I was scared and nervous as could be. I didn't want to step out of line with the guys in the clubhouse or make mistakes on the field. But he doesn't seem like he has that in him. He's one of the leaders on this team.''

Team Italy, which plays Puerto Rico at Marlins Park at 7:08 p.m. ET Wednesday, has been a heartwarming success story thanks to the inspirational managing of Marco Mazzieri, the power-hitting exploits of Minnesota Twins minor leaguer Chris Colabello, and the contributions of Nick Punto, Chris Denorfia and other resourceful veterans. For those who might be wondering, the word "sconnesso'' means "scrappy'' in Italian.

Rizzo, a physical specimen at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, is the one Grade A prospect on the Italian roster. The Cubs summoned him from Triple-A Iowa in late June of last season, and Rizzo hit .285 with 15 homers and an .805 OPS in 87 games to make an instant impression at Wrigley.

Rizzo is relaxed in the batter's box, with loose hands and a quiet approach, until he uncoils and things suddenly get very noisy. Piazza watched some video before seeing Rizzo in person. Upon his first glimpse, he thought of a former San Francisco Giants first baseman and career .303 hitter.

"I've always felt left-handers had prettier swings than right-handers,'' Piazza said. "He has sort of a classic left-handed swing like a Will Clark. It's just a beautiful, very picturesque swing.

"I've basically been hands-off with him. I've just tried to get him to relax and believe he has power to all fields, which he does. He asked me, 'How did you have such great power to right?' And I told him, 'There's a fence out there, too. You don't always have to pull the ball to hit a home run or be productive. Open up the field a little bit.'''