Full Name: Mariano Rivera
Born: October 4, 1993
Birthplace: Rye, NY
Bats/Throws: R/R Ht: 5' 11" Wt: 155
Draft: Round 4 (2015, WSH)
School: Iona, NY
Relationship(s): son of Mariano Rivera
MiLB Overview:
Selected by the Washington Nationals in the fourth round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Iona College (New Rochelle, NY)... signed with the Nationals on June 21, 2015... previously drafted by the New York Yankees in the 29th round of the 2014 Draft but did not sign... Harrison, NY native attended Iona Prep, where he also participated in soccer, wrestling, track and as a pinch-runner in baseball... did not play baseball his senior year of high school... attended Quinnipiac University but transferred to Iona after one semester... played for the Laconia Muskrats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League ahead of the 2015 season... in 2015 at Iona, he was named the MAAC Pitcher of the Year, owning a 2.65 ERA with 113 strikeouts in 85 innings... son of longtime Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who is Major League Baseball's all-time leader in saves (652), was a 13-time American League All-Star, won five World Series with the Yankees, was the 1999 World Series MVP, 2003 ALCS MVP, 2013 AL Comeback Player of the Year, 2013 All-Star Game MVP, led the Majors in saves in 1999, 2001 and '04 and is the all-time MLB postseason leader in ERA (0.70) and saves (42)... Rivera III made his Minor League debut on 6/23/15 with Class A Short Season Auburn, throwing two scoreless innings at State College... pitched primarily in relief in 2015 but made three starts from 7/6-19... was clocked as high as 97 mph during his final season at Iona.
Baseball America:
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.
Currently assigned to Hagerstown in the SAL. Made the 2016 SAL All-star team
Working as a relief pitcher, stats through June 20:
20 Games
33.1 IP
39 H
18 ER
10 BB
25 K
4.86 ERA
1.47 WHIP
