WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2010
DSL:  202/292/222, 99 AB, 2 2B, 10 BB, 27 K, 5-8 SB

Rivera struggled at the plate in his debut at age 17.  He played mostly third in the field, with a little time at second and short.

2011
DSL:  215/302/375, 200 AB, 7 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 24 BB, 47 K, 16-25 SB

Rivera continued to hit for a low average, but he had a good walk rate and showed very good power late in the season.  He again played third the most and saw time at second and short.

2012
DSL:  367/429/472, 199 AB, 7 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 19 BB, 26 K, 34-45 SB

Rivera evidently sacrificed some power for contact, as he hit for a high average and cut his strikeout rate almost in half.  He saw the majority of his action in center, but he played every position except pitcher and catcher, and frequently appeared as a DH.  He finished 2nd in the DSL in stolen bases and 11th in OPS.

The Pirates often send players who’ve been in the DSL for several years straight to the New York-Penn League rather than the GCL.  Rivera was practicing in camp mainly with the slightly more experienced players, like Harold Ramirez and Elvis Escobar, so that may be the plan with him.  The Pirates had him playing mainly in the infield, much of the time at short, so he could move back in from the outfield.  He’ll play the season at age 20, which would be a good age for the NYPL.