Emmanuel Rivera

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #30 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Rivera last ranked among Kansas City’s top 30 prospects entering the 2019 season. A power surge, plus a trip to the big leagues, has the Puerto Rico native back on the radar. Despite a hamate injury that cost him a month, Rivera smacked 19 homers in just 255 at-bats with Triple-A Omaha in 2021, and also hit .256 in 29 games with Kansas City. He then played winter ball for Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican League.
  
  Scouting Report: Always known as a steady hitter and defender at third base, Rivera long lacked the desired power for the position. He tapped into his more consistently in 2021, though, showing simple mechanics at the plate. Rivera creates a long path through the strike zone and drives the ball to all fields while showing movement patterns that are simple and repeatable. Rivera is an average defender at third base with good range and solid hands. He has a plus throwing arm with solid zip and carry. While he’s a below-average runner, Rivera is a smart baserunner and can take an extra base in the right situation.
  
  The Future: Rivera will report to spring training looking to build on his breakout season and grab a spot on the major league roster.
  
• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #22 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Rivera put up another strong year at high Class A Wilmington in 2018, posting a .280/.333/.427 slash line despite missing time to an oblique injury. He's made steady progress in the Royals' system, with his breakout coming in 2017 at low Class A Lexington. While he's not a high-profile prospect, Rivera plays with a low-key demeanor and needs to be watched over a longer period of time to appreciate his value.
  
  Scouting Report: At the plate, Rivera is a consistent gap-to-gap hitter who puts together good at-bats and finds ways to put balls in play. He has yet to show much in-game power, with only 18 home runs in his two full seasons combined, but he shows average raw power in batting practice. He may get more over-the-fence power as he advances and gets more loft in his swing, but that's not his game as he wants to hit for a high average and move runners. Defensively, Rivera has the range and hands to handle third base. He has a plus arm but doesn't always show it off because he tries to make everything look easy. A below-average runner who doesn't steal a lot of bases, Rivera is smart and knows how to run bases.
  
  The Future: Rivera should be ready to move to Double-A in 2019, which will be a good test. The biggest question remaining will be to see if he can develop at least a touch more power to better profile at third base.
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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #27 prospect in 2018
  One of the biggest improvements in the Royals system came from Rivera, who followed a .330/.393/.413 line and a rookie of the year performance in the Puerto Rican League by winning the South Atlantic League batting title in 2017. Kansas City's 19th-round pick in 2015 significantly improved his numbers in his first full season, batting .310 at low Class A Lexington after posting .174 and .249 averages in his first two seasons in rookie ball. Rivera has a good feel for hitting and uses all fields but with some length in his swing. He has above-average raw power now and should get stronger, but he'll need to get more loft in his swing to tap into that power. It's not expected that any newfound power will come at the expense of batting average. He's a below-average runner. Rivera projects as an above-average defender at the hot corner with a plus arm. After his fine low Class A season, Rivera will be ready for his next challenge with an assignment to high Class A Wilmington.

• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Rivera last ranked among Kansas City’s top 30 prospects entering the 2019 season. A power surge, plus a trip to the big leagues, has the Puerto Rico native back on the radar. Despite a hamate injury that cost him a month, Rivera smacked 19 homers in just 255 at-bats with Triple-A Omaha in 2021, and also hit .256 in 29 games with Kansas City. He then played winter ball for Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican League.
  
  Scouting Report: Always known as a steady hitter and defender at third base, Rivera long lacked the desired power for the position. He tapped into his more consistently in 2021, though, showing simple mechanics at the plate. Rivera creates a long path through the strike zone and drives the ball to all fields while showing movement patterns that are simple and repeatable. Rivera is an average defender at third base with good range and solid hands. He has a plus throwing arm with solid zip and carry. While he’s a below-average runner, Rivera is a smart baserunner and can take an extra base in the right situation.
  
  The Future: Rivera will report to spring training looking to build on his breakout season and grab a spot on the major league roster.