Mets prospect and Bronx native T.J. Rivera was undrafted out of Troy University in Alabama. But so far in the minor leagues, he is making the Mets notice writes Adam Rubin of ESPN.
Last season at Class-A St Lucie and Double-A Binghamton combined, he hit .349 with 5 home runs and 75 RBIs in 453 at bats and helped Binghamton win the Eastern League title for the first time in 20 years.
This season, he will start with the Double-A club, playing all 4 infield positions, grooming him into a potential utility role in the majors. But he might even see some limited time in the outfield, according to Mets vice president, Paul DePodesta.
“I think he has an interesting skill set and what a National League club might need,” DePodesta said.
Rivera played for Lehman High School in the Bronx and played for former Met, Mackey Sasser in junior college at Alabama. He also played winter ball at Puerto Rico and his fiancee also lives in Alabama. So he couldn’t spend much time in NY this winter.
“I figured it was going to be a little harder for me to move up the rankings.” said Rivera on trying to reach the majors after being undrafted. “I knew that coming in, so I was expecting I had to prove myself over and over. Hopefully I’ve been able to do so after last year. And I’m hoping to do the same thing this year and go out there and prove myself again.”
“He’s on equal footing,” said DePodesta. “He’s done nothing put perform since Day 1. He has a real knack for hitting the ball on the barrel. He’s shown that from the beginning.”
If Rivera continues to hit like he did last season, it wouldn’t be long before he sees the majors.
