14
2013
Prospect Pulse: Analyzing Up and Coming Prospect T.J. Rivera
An article by 
Second baseman T.J. Rivera batted .320/.372/.444 last season for Savannah and St. Lucie.
Thomas Javier (T.J.) Rivera, 2B
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6′ 1″ Weight: 190 lb.
Position: Second Base
Age: 24
ETA: 2015
Background:
T.J. Rivera is a fellow New Yorker, born and raised in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx. He was signed as a free-agent out of Troy University back in 2011. Not much is generally expected out of guys that aren’t drafted, but Rivera seems like his is on a mission to change that. In his first two professional seasons, he has already gone through four levels in the organization (Rookie, Low-A, A, and High-A). He’s compiled a .316 AVG to go along with 10 HR and 85 RBI over those two years. His 2012 numbers, from the time he spent with the Savannah Sand Gnats, are the most impressive. During that time he played in 64 games, compiling a .333 AVG/.396 OBP/8 HR and 37 RBI. Those numbers are probably what led fellow Sand Gnat, Jack Leathersich, to point out that Rivera was the teammate that impressed him most in his recent exclusive interview with Metsmerized Online. Here is an excerpt from that interview where Leathersich says Rivera is a player Mets fans should be very excited to see:
Oh yeah, definitely T.J. Rivera – he’s the one. He’s the real deal. I’ve never been around a kid who prepares as well as he does. He just really loves the game and it seems like every time I see him he’s out on the field working on something. Rivera plays hard and is completely balls to the wall – he’ll do anything to make sure we win. He’s a great teammate and obviously a great player and everybody should be real excited about him. If he continues the great things he did last season, and I’m pretty sure that he will, he’ll be a lot of fun to watch.
Analysis:
Rivera is definitely an under-the-radar type of prospect. He’s not considered a top prospect, and doesn’t have any tools that will jump off the page at you. However, he is making it happen. He has been successful across four different levels, so this is starting to seem like a situation where Rivera could turn out to be the real deal and not just a flash in the pan. There isn’t much footage on Rivera out there, but here is a brief analysis of Rivera’s swing:
Rivera has a sweet swing and it’s going to be really interesting to see what he can do at the Double-A level this season. Making the jump to Binghamtom will probably be the biggest challenge that Rivera has come across in his professional career thus far, as they say the jump from Single-A ball to Double-A is really where you start to weed out the prospects. Double-A is where the cream starts rising to the top. Rivera has a big challenge ahead in 2013, but after reading what teammate Jack Leathersich said about him, we have to assume it’s a challenge he is ready for.
Mets fans have a reason to be excited, and should definitely keep an eye on T.J. Rivera up at Binghamton this season. If his approach is to continue taking it one level at a time, he stays focused and keeps performing the way he has the past two years, the Mets will have a solid player on their hands within the next couple of years.
You can follow Mitch Petanick on Twitter for more Mets Minor League coverage.
About the Author: Mitch Petanick
Mitch is currently an Editor and Minor League Analyst for Mets Merized Online. His baseball experience includes being a former All-Conference collegiate baseball player who had numerous professional tryouts, and he is currently a hitting instructor. He has been involved with the game of baseball for over 30 years now as a player, coach, and consultant. Mitch is also a former Featured Columnist on Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @FirstPitchMitch.
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Nice job and a very intriguing young player. There have been some rare occasions where undrafted players or players drafted in rounds 40-60 fool everybody and have surprisingly good MLB careers. No one tool stands out, but then there is no accounting for heart and determination. The Cincinnati Reds organization didn’t think much of a second baseman of theirs many years ago as evidenced by their end of season scouting report that stated: “Rose hustles a lot, but he can’t field, throw, or hit.” Yes, that Rose. Sometimes a player just makes things happen. Lets hope that’s the case with Rivera.
“The Cincinnati Reds organization didn’t think much of a second baseman of theirs many years ago as evidenced by their end of season scouting report that stated: “Rose hustles a lot, but he can’t field, throw, or hit.” Yes, that Rose. Sometimes a player just makes things happen. Lets hope that’s the case with Rivera.”
Minus the gambling problem, I hope?
Of course.
I’ve been tracking TJ for awhile, got bummed with his PED infraction, but he performed well after that suspension. He’s never mentioned by anybody, but he may be for real. i luv gritty guys like him. For sure.
Rivera never was involved with PEDs, you may be thinking of Danny Muno.
You’re right, Joe D. i must’ve been thinking of Muno. Thanks. Makes TJ all the more intriguing.
Making it to the majors is a dream of every youngster who loves the sport. TJ Rivera was no exception. I will always cherish the moments watching him insist that his dad pitch him a ball to bat(wiffle ball & plastic bat) while still in diapers. He’s come a long way since then and his dream to become a professional baseball player has never waivered. We are very proud of him and pray for his continued success.
Best of luck to TJ in the coming season. Sweet swing is right.
Very interesting and great article. These types of post add so much
I’ll confess to not knowing how players become draft candidates so not sure why this young man wasn’t one of them.
Saying that, our scouts must have saw something worth taking a chance with. So far, sounds like it’s been paying off. Will be interesting to see how he does at AA this season.
it is still an art, not a science!
but, for a non-drafted guy to even make it to AA (I assume he is going there this year, but that could depend on the other 2B options) is probably already beating the odds, so if he can get that far, why not all the way?
I like reading about the “sweet swing”. to me, that gives more hope that he can keep hitting as he moves up, unlike some guys that have big/holey/complicated swings, where they can get away with it against guys without good stuff or control in A ball, but quickly get exposed at higher levels.
You know I’m still baffled that in all the time you’ve written for MMO, I only found out one month ago that you were so involved with baseball, coaching, analysis and the minors for your entire adult life. That I had to encourage you to do this Prospect Pulse feature instead of Mets pieces is kind of funny now that I think about it. How can you know all this stuff and not once mention it to me? I’m beating my brains trying to find a minor league analyst for the site since last August, and you were under my nose all along. As Ralph Kramden would say – Bang, Zoom….
Thanks Joe…I guess all that time I was just trying to find my identity as a writer
Once again nice read Mitch.
Thanks MNJ
To Mitch Petanick: Thank you for the article/post. All his NY family, friends and fans appreciate it!
To Chicago Days: You have NOT been tracking the right “T.J.” Rivera. Please check your references…He has Never been suspended for PED or any infraction. You are right with the fact that he is not mentioned often enough. For sure.
No problem…I have to look out for fellow Bronxonians
I’m very impressed with what you did here. Nice breakdown.
Thank you and thanks for reading.
TJ graduated from my former high school. Right now Bobby Bonilla is the only former Lion to make it to the bigs, so I’m rooting for him extra hard.