Mariano Rivera

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #9 prospect in 1995
  He's Ruben Rivera's older cousin and recommended Ruben to the Yankees. Mariano has been brought along slowly after 1992 shoulder surgery. Tall and lanky, Rivera throws a consistent 90-92 mph fastball with movement, a cut fastball that acts like a slider and an average changeup and curveball. His control is the system's best. He consistently throws strikes at the knees and holds runners well. Rivera's stamina is a concern, as is a curveball that needs more break. At this stage of his development, his fastball is not yet a strikeout pitch. He needs better command moving pitches inside and out. Rivera will return to Triple-A next spring. He could break through in middle relief late in the season and contend for a starting spot in 1996.
• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #9 prospect in 1993
  Rivera’s three-year career has been slowed by injury. He missed the first third of the 1992 season nursing a stiff elbow, made 10 starts, then went down for good and succumbed to elbow surgery. Still, he was placed on the Yankees’ 40-man roster. When healthy, Rivera gives the Yankees plenty to contemplate. He broke into pro ball with a sterling 0.17 ERA in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, and he pitched one memorable inning late in the 1992 Venezuelan winter season, striking out big leaguers Gus Polidor, Luis Salazar and Andres Galarraga on 10 pitches. Rivera has increased his velocity on his fastball from 87 to 94 mph since signing and has excellent command of three pitches. He’s scheduled to pitch in Double-A in 1993, elbow permitting.

• December, 1994 Scouting Report
  He's Ruben Rivera's older cousin and recommended Ruben to the Yankees. Mariano has been brought along slowly after 1992 shoulder surgery. Tall and lanky, Rivera throws a consistent 90-92 mph fastball with movement, a cut fastball that acts like a slider and an average changeup and curveball. His control is the system's best. He consistently throws strikes at the knees and holds runners well. Rivera's stamina is a concern, as is a curveball that needs more break. At this stage of his development, his fastball is not yet a strikeout pitch. He needs better command moving pitches inside and out. Rivera will return to Triple-A next spring. He could break through in middle relief late in the season and contend for a starting spot in 1996.
• December, 1992 Scouting Report
  Rivera’s three-year career has been slowed by injury. He missed the first third of the 1992 season nursing a stiff elbow, made 10 starts, then went down for good and succumbed to elbow surgery. Still, he was placed on the Yankees’ 40-man roster. When healthy, Rivera gives the Yankees plenty to contemplate. He broke into pro ball with a sterling 0.17 ERA in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, and he pitched one memorable inning late in the 1992 Venezuelan winter season, striking out big leaguers Gus Polidor, Luis Salazar and Andres Galarraga on 10 pitches. Rivera has increased his velocity on his fastball from 87 to 94 mph since signing and has excellent command of three pitches. He’s scheduled to pitch in Double-A in 1993, elbow permitting.