Mariano Rivera
| IP | 167 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.635 |
| WHIP | 1.407 |
| BB/9 | 2.425 |
| SO/9 | 6.898 |
- Full name Mariano Rivera
- Born 10/04/1993 in Rye, NY
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 155 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Iona
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Drafted in the 4th round (134th overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2015 (signed for $410,700).
View Draft Report
Rivera's path to this point has been a long time coming. For several years, scouts could dream on his projectable body and elite arm speed. Last year, the Yankees took a shot on him late in the draft, hoping to ink the son of one the franchise's hallmarks of the past two decades. The younger Rivera is not the same player as his father, but he is not simply a legacy pick. Some scouts feel that his arm speed is unparalleled and after pitching in the low 90s last year, Rivera has consistently worked 92-95 this spring, having begun to fill out his shoulders, and he still projects for more velocity. Rivera's delivery isn't very conventional, with heavy lean to his glove side and an artificial over-the-top arm slot. He struggles to repeat his landing, and may have to tone down his delivery at the next level. Rivera is effective when he pitches down in the zone with his fastball and late-breaking slider. He projects as a solid middle reliever, with the upside to pitch even later in the game.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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The son of baseball's all-time saves leader, Rivera was a bit of a late bloomer and wasn't drafted out of high school. The Yankees selected him in the 29th round in 2014 after his sophomore year at Iona, but he opted to return to school and came on strong during his junior season. He earned Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference pitcher of the year honors in 2015 after recording a 2.65 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 85 innings. Despite this, the Nationals quickly moved Rivera to the bullpen during his pro debut at short-season Auburn, and he likely will continue in that role as he progresses. He has a quick arm and his fastball sits in the mid-90s. Unlike his father, he doesn't throw a cutter, instead relying on a late-breaking slider as his out pitch. Despite an unconventional delivery, Rivera consistently throws both pitches for strikes. He profiles as a reliever and could eventually pitch high-leverage innings in the big leagues. Low Class A Hagerstown should be his destination as he begins his first full pro season in 2016.
Draft Prospects
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Rivera's path to this point has been a long time coming. For several years, scouts could dream on his projectable body and elite arm speed. Last year, the Yankees took a shot on him late in the draft, hoping to ink the son of one the franchise's hallmarks of the past two decades. The younger Rivera is not the same player as his father, but he is not simply a legacy pick. Some scouts feel that his arm speed is unparalleled and after pitching in the low 90s last year, Rivera has consistently worked 92-95 this spring, having begun to fill out his shoulders, and he still projects for more velocity. Rivera's delivery isn't very conventional, with heavy lean to his glove side and an artificial over-the-top arm slot. He struggles to repeat his landing, and may have to tone down his delivery at the next level. Rivera is effective when he pitches down in the zone with his fastball and late-breaking slider. He projects as a solid middle reliever, with the upside to pitch even later in the game.
