T. J. Rivera

T. J. Rivera
Rivera with the Mets in 2019
Infielder
Born: (1988-10-27) October 27, 1988 (age 36)
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 15, 2016, for the New York Mets
Last appearance
July 17, 2017, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
Batting average.304
Home runs8
Runs batted in43
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Puerto Rico
World Baseball Classic
Silver medal – second place 2017 Los Angeles National team

Thomas Javier Rivera (born October 27, 1988) is an American former professional baseball infielder and current coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets. Rivera is a native of New York City, and went undrafted after playing college baseball at Troy University. He made his MLB debut in 2016, and played for the Puerto Rican national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Personal life

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Rivera was born to Tommy, a handyman, and Nilsa Rivera, an insurance adjuster.[1] Rivera is of Puerto Rican descent. His mother and father are from Aibonito and Ponce, Puerto Rico. He represented Puerto Rico at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.[2] Rivera grew up as a fan of the New York Yankees, but also liked the Mets.[3][4] Rivera met his wife, Ashton, at Troy University.[5]

Amateur career

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Rivera grew up in the Throgs Neck neighborhood of the Bronx.[1] He played in local little leagues in Throgs Neck and Parkchester,[1][6][7] and often played sports including baseball on concrete fields or in the street.[6][8] In 2001 at the age of 12, Rivera played in a Little League district championship, eliminated by Danny Almonte and the "Baby Bombers" who went on to the Little League World Series.[9] (The Baby Bombers had their wins wiped out retroactively due to the Almonte fraud.[10])

Rivera attended Herbert H. Lehman High School in eastern Bronx. After attending tryouts using a softball glove and playing junior varsity his freshman year, he went on to play varsity for three seasons while batting over .600 his junior and senior years.[6][11][4] Rivera began his college baseball career at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey where he then transferred to Wallace Community College in the Alabama Community College Conference, in Dothan, Alabama.[11][4][12] Rivera chose Wallace in order to play against tougher competition in warmer weather.[9] After two seasons, Rivera transferred to Troy University in Troy, Alabama, where he played for the Troy Trojans.[13] He graduated from Troy in 2011 majoring in criminal justice,[11][4][14] but went unselected in the Major League Baseball draft.[4][13]

Professional career

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New York Mets

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Former Mets catcher Mackey Sasser, Rivera's head coach at Wallace Community, recommended him to a scout for the New York Mets, who then signed him as a free agent.[1][13]

Rivera had a .301 batting average in 2011, splitting the season between the Kingsport Mets of the Rookie-level Appalachian League and the Brooklyn Cyclones of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League.[15] In 2014, Rivera hit .349 with five home runs and 75 runs batted in (RBIs) for the St. Lucie Mets of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League and the Binghamton Mets of the Class AA Eastern League.[13] He returned to Binghamton to start the 2015 season, and was promoted to the Las Vegas 51s of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League (PCL) on May 16. Despite hitting .306 with 17 doubles in 54 games, the Mets demoted Rivera to Binghamton on August 1.[14] The Mets chose not to add Rivera to their 40-man roster after the 2015 season, exposing him to the Rule 5 draft; he went unselected.[13]

The Mets invited Rivera to spring training in 2016.[1] He began the 2016 season with Las Vegas.[16] He was named the PCL's Player of the Month for May, when he batted .373 with five home runs.[17] He ended the season as the PCL batting champion.[18]

After batting .349 with 11 home runs and 90 RBIs for Las Vegas, and being named the PCL's Player of the Week for August 1 through 7,[3] the Mets promoted him to the Major Leagues on August 10.[19] He made his debut that night, starting at third base, and collected his first Major League hit in his debut.[20] He had a 2-run double against the San Diego Padres for the first two runs batted in of his Major League career. He hit his first major league home run on September 13, a go-ahead solo shot in the tenth inning off of Mark Melancon of the Washington Nationals.[21] Rivera batted .333 in 33 games for the Mets. He became the Mets' everyday second baseman toward the end of the season, after injuries suffered by Neil Walker and Wilmer Flores,[22] and started the National League Wild Card game.[23]

In 2017, Rivera was named to his first ever Major League Opening Day roster.[24] He was sent down to AAA on June 11 to make room for Yoenis Céspedes, but recalled on June 13 after Asdrúbal Cabrera went on the disabled list.[25] The Mets placed Rivera on the 10-day disabled list on July 28, after a partial tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament.[26] He underwent Tommy John surgery towards the end of the 2017 campaign.[27] He hoped to return to the Mets around midseason, but an elbow sprain suffered while playing rehabilitation games in the minor leagues ended his season.[28] He recorded 22 plate appearances in the minor leagues during the 2018 season.[29]

Rivera continued to struggle with his rehabilitation during spring training in 2019.[30] On March 9, the Mets released Rivera.[31]

Long Island Ducks

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Rivera was signed by the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League on July 6, 2019. In 23 games hit .270/.316/.427 with 4 home runs and 16 RBIs.

Washington Nationals

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On August 4, 2019, Rivera's contract was purchased by the Washington Nationals. He became a free agent following the 2019 season.[32]

Philadelphia Phillies

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On December 15, 2019, Rivera signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.[33] Rivera was released by the Phillies organization on May 28, 2020.[34]

Pittsburgh Pirates

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On May 10, 2021, Rivera signed again with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League.[35][36]

Rivera with the Indianapolis Indians in 2021

However, on May 14, before the ALPB season began, Rivera agreed to a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.[37]

Philadelphia Phillies (second stint)

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On August 7, 2021, Rivera was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.[38]

Coaching career

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On May 14, 2022, Rivera retired and was hired as a coach by the Cleveland Guardians. Rivera served as manager of the Arizona Complex League Guardians for the 2023 season.

International career

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Rivera played for the Puerto Rican national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic as their first baseman.[39]

Scouting report

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Rivera is known as a contact hitter with a compact line drive swing. Rivera has hit for high average throughout his career, batting over .300 at the minor league level.[1][6][12][40] He however does not hit for power or draw frequent walks, qualities which are highly valued in the sabermetric era.[6][41] Rivera credited playing wiffle ball as a youth with creating his swing.[6][8] Rivera has played second, third, and first base at the Major League level,[1][12][26] and has previously played shortstop in college and the minors.[1][12] He considers second base his natural position.[42]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h McCarron, Anthony (March 10, 2016). "Mets like what they have in T.J. Rivera, who comes with Mackey Sasser's endorsement". New York Daily News. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  2. ^ Rosa Rosa, Carlos (January 29, 2016). "T.J. Rivera ansía representar a Puerto Rico". El Nuevo Día. Retrieved August 9, 2016. (in Spanish)
  3. ^ a b Epps Jr., Wayne (August 10, 2016). "Mets Call Up Infielder T. J. Rivera From Class AAA Las Vegas". The New York Times. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e Braziller, Zach (August 14, 2017). "This Yankees diehard grew up to play for Subway Series enemy". New York Post. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  5. ^ Orgera, Scott (August 12, 2016). "Back to The Big Apple: T.J. Rivera's Long Journey to the Major Leagues". Baseball Prospectus. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Trezza, Joe (May 11, 2017). "A Bronx tale: Rivera beats odds to Majors". MLB.com. New York City. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  7. ^ Torres, Danny (August 11, 2016). "Meet The Mets Newest Infielder, T.J. Rivera". Latino Sports. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  8. ^ a b Wagner, James (August 17, 2016). "T.J. Rivera Shows Why the Mets Called Him Up". The New York Times. Phoenix, Arizona. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  9. ^ a b Rubin, Adam (May 2, 2012). "Farm report: Bronx cheer for Rivera". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  10. ^ "2001 Little League World Series darling Danny Almonte looking for fresh start". New York Daily News. January 13, 2010.
  11. ^ a b c "2011 Baseball Roster: T.J. Rivera". Troy University Athletics. 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  12. ^ a b c d Rubin, Adam (July 30, 2014). "Farm report: Undrafted Rivera ascends". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  13. ^ a b c d e Rubin, Adam (April 8, 2015). "Farm report: Bronx's T.J. Rivera impresses despite going undrafted". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  14. ^ a b Worthy, Lynn (August 22, 2015). "B-Mets' T.J. Rivera swinging a perpetually hot bat: Infielder won't let demotion slow him down". Binghamton Press. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  15. ^ DeMarzo, John (May 8, 2015). "The undrafted 2nd baseman who may be slugging way up to Mets". New York Post. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  16. ^ Leboff, Michael (May 17, 2016). "Rivera continues sweet stroke for 51s: Mets' No. 30 prospect scores four, plates three; Herrera homers again". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  17. ^ Hatch, Ryan (August 10, 2016). "Who is T.J. Rivera, the Mets' newest infielder?". NJ.com. NJ Advance Media. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  18. ^ Burke, Mack (September 5, 2016). "Las Vegas' Rivera wins PCL batting crown". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  19. ^ Rubin, Adam (August 10, 2016). "Mets to promote Bronx native T.J. Rivera". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  20. ^ Kussoy, Howie (August 11, 2016). "'Still feels unreal': Mets' T.J. Rivera's long journey to the bigs". New York Post. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  21. ^ Puma, Mike (September 14, 2016). "T.J. Rivera's first big league HR gives Mets thrilling win in 10th". New York Post. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  22. ^ Berg, Ted (October 4, 2016). "Mets' T.J. Rivera will commute to the wild card game from his parents' house". USA Today. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  23. ^ Carig, Marc (October 5, 2016). "Perseverance pays off for Mets' T.J. Rivera". Newsday. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  24. ^ Carig, Marc (April 2, 2017). "Four Mets enjoy first time on Opening Day roster". Newsday. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  25. ^ Cerrone, Matthew (June 30, 2017). "T.J. Rivera keeps hitting, but what's in store for his future?". SportsNet New York. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  26. ^ a b Puma, Mike (July 29, 2017). "Two Mets provide hope that T.J. Rivera's season isn't over". New York Post. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  27. ^ "Josh Edgin had knee surgery; T.J. Rivera to have Tommy John surgery". SportsNet New York. September 5, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  28. ^ "T.J. Rivera healthy and ready to compete for spot on Mets' roster". Newsday. February 17, 2019. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  29. ^ "TJ Rivera, recovering from surgery, shooting for NY Mets roster". Northjersey.com. February 22, 2019. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  30. ^ Puma, Mike (February 27, 2019). "Mets' T.J. Rivera sits out as return from elbow surgery snags". Nypost.com. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  31. ^ NY Mets (March 9, 2019). "We have released INF T.J. Rivera. #Mets". twitter.com. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  32. ^ Matt Eddy (November 7, 2019). "Minor League Free Agents 2019". Baseball America. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  33. ^ "Phillies Sign T.J. Rivera to Minor-League Deal". December 22, 2019.
  34. ^ "Phillies Release T.J. Rivera". May 29, 2020.
  35. ^ "Former Major League Infielder T.J. Rivera Returns to Ducks". May 10, 2021.
  36. ^ "T.J. Rivera Signs with Long Island Ducks". May 10, 2021.
  37. ^ "Pirates, T.J. Rivera Agree to Minor League Deal". May 14, 2021.
  38. ^ "Phillies Acquire T.J. Rivera". August 7, 2021.
  39. ^ Thornburg, Chad (February 8, 2017). "Young stars join Beltran, Yadi for Puerto Rico". MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  40. ^ Rubin, Roger (August 10, 2016). "Bronx native T.J. Rivera achieves dream of reaching majors in New York". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  41. ^ Stypulkoski, Matt (May 6, 2017). "T.J. Rivera doesn't fit the Mets' usual mold, but 'he's dangerous'". NJ.com. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  42. ^ Mastracco, Abbey (May 5, 2017). "Can Mets' T.J. Rivera stick in the big leagues?". NJ.com. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
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