ProfileHt.: 5'10" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School
Mobile
Debut05/25/2006
Drafted in the 9th round (259th overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 1998.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Rivera, who also played in the outfield in college, showed enough command of his 92-94 mph fastball to earn a spot on the Twins' 40-man roster. Most of his 134 minor league appearances have been out of the bullpen, and he's one of several prospects (starting with No. 1 Adam Johnson) who eventually could help Minnesota in relief. Rivera is a little undersized, but he may throw hard enough to make up for it. In 1998, he led Appy League relievers with 16.3 strikeouts per nine innings. That figure has remained impressive, at 13.2 in 1999 and 11.1 last year. However, his control has regressed a bit as he has moved up the ladder. After picking up 23 saves in 1999, Rivera was used more as a set-up man in 2000. With all the up-and-coming relievers in this system, he may have to grow accustomed to that role.
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