Born12/20/1985 in La Mata De Santa Cruz, Dominican Republic
ProfileHt.: 6'2" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
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Organization Prospect Rankings
After making his league's all-star game in the previous three seasons, Rivas wasn't as effective when he moved up to Triple-A for the first time last year. He couldn't throw his inconsistent slider for strikes and led the Pacific Coast League with 81 walks. Rivas still has a quality fastball that usually operates in the low 90s with good sink. He can run it up to 94-95 mph but it straightens out and gets hit at higher velocity. He developed feel for his changeup at a young age and it remains his best pitch. Unless Rivas can finally develop a breaking pitch, he probably faces a future as a middle reliever. He doesn't have the stuff to survive repeatedly falling behind in the count like he did in 2011. Rivas has overcome adversity in the past--he missed almost all of 2007 following Tommy John surgery--and has the mental toughness to make the necessary adjustments. He'll return to Nashville this season.
Rivas' individual pitches don't blow hitters or scouts away. He throws his fastball mostly in the low 90s and his slider is average at best. His fastball can reach 95 mph, but straightens out with more velocity and has more boring life and sink at lesser speeds. Rivas does have a quality changeup and developed a feel for that pitch at a young age. More than anything else, Rivas knows how to pitch and how to set up hitters, and he understands the importance of location and working both sides of the plate. He pitches to contact and doesn't hurt himself with too many walks. In short, he has shown good polish and no after-effects from having Tommy John surgery in December 2006. Some scouts believe Rivas eventually will evolve into a relief pitcher at the big league level but the Brewers don't see it that way for the organization's 2009 minor league pitcher of the year. They like his knack for making pitches and the way he attacks hitters with aggressiveness on the mound, and believe he will rise to the majors as a starter. Rivas likely will begin the 2011 season in the rotation at Triple-A with the possibility he could see action in Milwaukee at some point in the season.
One club official refers to Rivas as a "carnivore" because of the tenacious fashion with which he attacks hitters. He used that approach to win the Brewers' minor league pitcher of the year award in 2009, when he ranked second in the Florida State League in wins (13), third in strikeouts (123) and fifth in ERA (2.98). Rivas has regained his stuff since having Tommy John surgery in December 2006. He throws his fastball in the low 90s, touching 95 at times. Before last season, some thought he projected best as a reliever because his secondary stuff lagged behind his heater, but he improved his slider and refined his changeup into a plus pitch. The combination of three pitches, command, confidence and aggression makes Rivas one of the most efficient pitchers in the system. He should begin 2010 in Double-A with the chance for a midseason promotion.
Rivas had Tommy John surgery in December 2006 but quickly worked himself back to full strength last season, and it showed. After a solid showing in low Class A, the first real challenge of his career, he earned a lateseason bump up to Brevard County. Rivas' fastball remains his best pitch, sitting regularly at 91-92 mph while reaching 95 at times. It also features good movement. Once just a thrower with a good arm, he has begun to develop his slider and changeup, becoming more of a pitcher. His slider shows plus potential, while his changeup is a work in progress. He shows confidence and a bulldog approach on the mound. Rivas needs to continue to work on command of his secondary pitches to remain a starting pitcher. Otherwise, he might project as a setup man down the road. He'll return to high Class A to start the season.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Changeup in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011
Rated Best Control in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010
Rated Best Changeup in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010
Rated Best Changeup in the Florida State League in 2009
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