Juan Rivera
| AB | 1174 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .239 |
| OBP | .291 |
| SLG | .297 |
| HR | 9 |
- Full name Juan Antonio Rivera
- Born 03/17/1987 in San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 150 / Bats: S / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Signed for $400,000 as a 16-year-old out of the Dominican Republic, Rivera has the makings of a standout defensive shortstop. He has good actions, sure hands and plenty of arm strength to make plays deep in the hole. His good instincts help him in all phases of the game. He was young for the Rookie-level Pioneer League last year at 18, and he showed a decent grasp of the strike zone for his age. A switch-hitter, Rivera is a natural righty but makes more consistent contact from the left side. He has good hand-eye coordination but still lacks strength and any pop at the plate. He's an average runner. His toolset frequently draws comparisons to that of former all-star and Gold Glover Tony Fernandez. Rivera still needs lots of refinement, especially as a hitter, and will hone his skills at low Class A Columbus this year. -
The Dodgers signed Rivera as a 16-year-old in 2003, but he didn't make his professional debut until last summer because of a broken hand. He hit safely in 11 of his first 27 at-bats and earned comparisons to former all-star shortstop Tony Fernandez because of his pure shortstop actions and live, athletic body. Rivera plays with flair and his makeup is off the charts. He has good range up the middle and to his right and plenty of arm to make plays deep in the hole. At times he allowed a poor at-bat to affect his defense, but the Dodgers expect those kinds of problems to go away as he matures. Rivera has a slap approach from both sides of the plate now but projects to have gap power eventually, thanks to good bat control, projectable strength and solid eye-hand coordination. He can be beaten on hard stuff up and in. An average runner, Rivera has narrow shoulders, leading some scouts to wonder how much he'll fill out, but he has the instincts and tools to become a solid shortstop. He will most likely start 2005 in extended spring training and join Ogden in June. -
Rivera could be the first significant contribution to the system made by Dominican scout Rene Francisco. Francisco, who signed Rafael Furcal, came over from the Braves in 2002. Under Francisco's watch, the Dodgers aren't as likely to spend wildly as they have done in the past on Joel Guzman and Willy Aybar. First identified by Dominican scout Angel Santana, Rivera signed for $100,000. A switch-hitter with a more advanced approach from the left side, Rivera reminds some scouts of former all-star Tony Fernandez. Though Rivera ran a 7.25 60-yard dash when he signed, he has improved and projects as an above-average runner. He has natural shortstop actions, with good footwork and a strong arm. He worked out at the Dodgers' complex in Vero Beach, Fla., after signing and was treated to a tour of Dodger Stadium before returning to the Dominican for the winter. Rivera should make his pro debut in the Gulf Coast League this year.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Though the PL was down in talent this year, it offered a number of shortstops who could develop into everyday big leaguers. In addition to Statia and Idaho Falls' Chris McConnell, Ogden had two in Rivera and Ivan DeJesus Jr. Rivera, who signed for $400,000 out of the Dominican Republic, is a tick ahead of DeJesus, a second-rounder in June. Rivera has good actions in the field with steady hands and enough arm strength to make plays from deep in the hole. He still lacks pop and never found much of a groove at the plate, but he has good eye-hand coordination and is a plus runner. He missed more than three weeks with a strained muscle in his leg in August.
