T.J. Rivera
| AB | 319 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .304 |
| OBP | .335 |
| SLG | .445 |
| HR | 8 |
- Full name Thomas Javier Rivera
- Born 10/27/1988 in Bronx, NY
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 203 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Troy
- Debut 08/10/2016
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Sometimes an underdog just needs a chance. Rivera, who played high school ball in the Bronx, N.Y., traveled to Alabama to play collegiately, first at Wallace CC and then for two years at Troy. He helped the Trojans make an NCAA regionals appearance as a senior in 2011, but no team drafted him. The Mets signed Rivera as a passed-over player shortly after the draft, and he proceeded to hit .318, while playing three positions regularly, through his first five seasons. Still, the Mets left Rivera, then 27, unprotected in the 2015 Rule 5 draft. Again, no team selected him. Rivera finally knocked loudly enough at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2016, when he hit .353 to win the Pacific Coast League batting title and earn a mid-August callup. He hit .333 in 105 at-bats for the Mets and even started the Wild Card Game against Madison Bumgarner. With limited power, speed and patience, Rivera would not be an ideal fit as a regular, but he makes a ton of contact and has a long track record for hitting. That combined with his capable defensive play at second and third base make him an attractive part-time option.
