Luis Rivas

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #4 prospect in 2001
  Rivas has been playing in the United States since he was 16, and was the top prospect in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in his debut. He made a smooth transition to second base in 2000. Rivas' speed has dropped a notch to above-average as he has filled out, but he's still the quickest player in the system. He has good range and a shortstop's arm at second base. He hit only .258 as he was pushed through the system, but he seemed to blossom in 2000 when he reached the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League and Minnesota. After the position change, Rivas can still improve on making the pivot and turning the double play. He improved his plate discipline in 2000 but still needs to draw more walks. If all goes well for Rivas in the Venezuelan League and spring training, he could win Minnesota's starting second-base job over Jay Canizaro and Denny Hocking. Rivas and Cristian Guzman could form the Twins' double-play combination for years.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #4 prospect in 1999
  Background: Despite turning 19 during the final week of the Florida State League season, Rivas is a Twins veteran. He has been an all-star in three leagues already and established career highs in most offensive categories in 1998. Strengths: Rivas is a virtual clone of Guzman as an athlete and a baseball player. Rivas showed tremendous improvement defensively from 1997, when he made 58 errors in the Midwest League, and also has improved his ability to drive the ball. Rivas' baserunning instincts are much more advanced than Guzman's. Weaknesses: Like Guzman, Rivas' major flaw at present is his inability or unwillingness to take pitches. He will be hard pressed to hit better pitching without changing his approach. A positive sign--he already had surpassed his total summer walk total this winter playing in the Venezuelan League. The Future: Rivas or Guzman, Guzman or Rivas? Few organizations can boast the athleticism or youth the Twins have in their two shortstops. Rivas is likely to continue his rapid run through the Twins system by moving to New Britain in 1999 and pushing Guzman to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #15 prospect in 2000
  Rivas began playing full-season ball at age 17 and made it to Triple-A three years later. A shortstop coming up through the minors, he converted to second base this season after the Twins ran Todd Walker out of town. Jay Canizaro was just a stopgap, and Rivas has a good chance to start for Minnesota sometime in 2001. He probably needs another half-season in the PCL. Because he always has been among the youngest players in his league, Rivas’ defense has been ahead of his offense. He had little trouble making the switch to second, showing good hands and a keen ability to turn the double play. "He made some Roberto Alomar plays, ESPN-type highlights," Roof said. Rivas made some offensive strides in 2000. He was much more selective at the plate, drawing more walks and making more contact, though he still could improve further. He’s not particularly strong, but he makes the most of his speed with excellent baserunning instincts.
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #13 prospect in 2000
  With Cristian Guzman entrenched at shortstop in Minnesota, the Twins moved Rivas to second base and watched him respond without a hitch. Though it was his second year in the EL, he remained one of the league's youngest players and didn’t turn 21 until the final week of the season, when he was in Triple-A. His tools looked better than his statistics. Rivas is athletic and has a quick bat that can catch up to any fastball. He’ll be more effective when he stops trying to pull everything. "I know they moved him to second base, but he can play the heck out of shortstop," said Sisson. "He has value. I think he's going to be a base stealer. I think he's going to hit for some average and I think he's going to hit a lot of doubles. He shows above-average range and above-average arm strength. He has all the tools to play shortstop."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #93 prospect in 2001
• Ranked Baseball America's #86 prospect in 2000
• Ranked Baseball America's #63 prospect in 1999
• Ranked Baseball America's #55 prospect in 1998
• Ranked Baseball America's #70 prospect in 1997

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  With Cristian Guzman entrenched at shortstop in Minnesota, the Twins moved Rivas to second base and watched him respond without a hitch. Though it was his second year in the EL, he remained one of the league's youngest players and didn’t turn 21 until the final week of the season, when he was in Triple-A. His tools looked better than his statistics. Rivas is athletic and has a quick bat that can catch up to any fastball. He’ll be more effective when he stops trying to pull everything. "I know they moved him to second base, but he can play the heck out of shortstop," said Sisson. "He has value. I think he's going to be a base stealer. I think he's going to hit for some average and I think he's going to hit a lot of doubles. He shows above-average range and above-average arm strength. He has all the tools to play shortstop."
• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Rivas began playing full-season ball at age 17 and made it to Triple-A three years later. A shortstop coming up through the minors, he converted to second base this season after the Twins ran Todd Walker out of town. Jay Canizaro was just a stopgap, and Rivas has a good chance to start for Minnesota sometime in 2001. He probably needs another half-season in the PCL. Because he always has been among the youngest players in his league, Rivas’ defense has been ahead of his offense. He had little trouble making the switch to second, showing good hands and a keen ability to turn the double play. "He made some Roberto Alomar plays, ESPN-type highlights," Roof said. Rivas made some offensive strides in 2000. He was much more selective at the plate, drawing more walks and making more contact, though he still could improve further. He’s not particularly strong, but he makes the most of his speed with excellent baserunning instincts.