Emmanuel Rivera
| Emmanuel Rivera | |
|---|---|
| File:Emmanuel Rivera 2025 Tides (cropped).jpg Rivera with the Norfolk Tides in 2025 | |
| Free agent | |
| Third baseman | |
| Born: June 29, 1996 Mayagüez, Puerto Rico | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 28, 2021, for the Kansas City Royals | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Batting average | .245 |
| Home runs | 22 |
| Runs batted in | 116 |
| Stats at Baseball ReferenceLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Managerial record at Baseball ReferenceLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Teams | |
Emmanuel Miguel Rivera (born June 29, 1996) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball third baseman who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, and Baltimore Orioles.
Professional career
[edit | edit source]Kansas City Royals
[edit | edit source]Rivera was drafted by the Kansas City Royals out of the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico in the 19th round, 579th overall, of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.[1] He made his professional debut with the rookie-level Arizona League Royals, playing in 38 games with the team.
In 2016, Rivera played for the rookie-level Burlington Royals, posting a .249/.317/.373 slash line in 58 games. The following year, he played for the Single-A Lexington Legends, slashing .310/.364/.468 with 12 home runs and 72 RBI. In 2018, Rivera split the season between the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks and the AZL Royals, batting a cumulative .274/.326/.416 with 6 home runs and 63 RBI. For the 2019 season, Rivera played for the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals, logging a .258/.297/.345 slash line with 7 home runs and 57 RBI in 131 games.[2]
Rivera did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] He was assigned to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers to begin the 2021 season, and batted .282/.337/.593 with a career-high 14 home runs and 40 RBI in 44 games.
On June 28, 2021, Rivera was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[4] He made his MLB debut that day as the starting third baseman against the Boston Red Sox, and logged his first career hit in the game as well, a single off starter Garrett Richards. He was placed on the injured list on June 30 with a left hamate break.[5] In his first MLB season, he played in 29 games for the Royals and hitting .256/.316/.333 with one home run, 5 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. In 2022, Rivera made 63 appearances for Kansas City, slashing .237/.284/.399 with 6 home runs and 22 RBI.
Arizona Diamondbacks
[edit | edit source]On August 1, 2022, the Royals traded Rivera to the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitcher Luke Weaver.[6] He played in 39 games for the Diamondbacks down the stretch, hitting .227/.304/.424 with 6 home runs and 18 RBI.
Rivera was optioned to the Triple-A Reno Aces to begin the 2023 season.[7] In 86 games for the Diamondbacks, he batted .261/.314/.358 with four home runs and 29 RBI. He played in 13 postseason games, starting three games in the National League Championship Series (NLCS) and Game 4 of the World Series. His first postseason hit was an RBI single in Game 4 of the NLCS He hit .235/.278/.294 in 18 playoff plate appearances.[8][9]
On March 28, 2024, Rivera was designated for assignment after failing to make Arizona's Opening Day roster.[10]
Miami Marlins
[edit | edit source]On April 2, 2024, Rivera was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for cash.[11] In 96 games for Miami, he slashed .214/.294/.269 with one home run and 15 RBI. The Marlins designated Rivera for assignment on August 19.[12]
Baltimore Orioles
[edit | edit source]On August 21, 2024, Rivera was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles.[13] He had a pair of home runs and career-highs with four hits, four RBI, and 11 total bases in a 9–2 away victory over the Minnesota Twins in the penultimate game of the regular season on September 28.[14] In 27 games for Baltimore, Rivera batted .313/.370/.578 with four home runs and 14 RBI. In Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, he grounded out as a pinch hitter.[9]
On January 31, 2025, the Orioles designated Rivera for assignment.[15] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides on February 10.[16] After hitting .308 with 13 RBI in 17 games for Norfolk, the Orioles selected Rivera to their active roster on April 28.[17] In 25 appearances for Baltimore, he batted .232/.303/.275 with three RBI and one stolen base. Rivera was designated for assignment by the Orioles on June 10.[18] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Norfolk on June 12.[19] On June 28, the Orioles added Rivera back to their active roster.[20] After one pinch-hit appearance for the team, he was designated for assignment following the promotion of Jacob Stallings on July 1.[21] Rivera was sent outright to Norfolk after clearing waivers on July 4.[22] On August 27, the Orioles again selected Rivera's contract.[23] He equaled his career-high four RBI with a pair of two-out two-run singles in a 6–2 away win over the San Diego Padres on 2 September.[24] Despite batting .280 with 10 RBI over 16 games, Rivera was designated for assignment for a fourth time on September 16.[25] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Norfolk on September 19.[26] Rivera elected free agency on October 6.[27]
International career
[edit | edit source]Rivera played for Puerto Rico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.[28] He batted .278 with 1 triple and 5 RBI in five games.[29]
Personal life
[edit | edit source]Like his father Miguel, an amateur baseball player in Puerto Rico, Rivera is nicknamed "El Pulpo" (The Octopus) because of his defense.[14]
References
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- ^ Wilson, Bernie. "Rivera has 4 RBIs and Wells wins in return as the Orioles beat the scuffling Padres 6–2," The Associated Press (AP), Tuesday 2 September 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
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External links
[edit | edit source]- Career statistics from MLB · ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet
- Living people
- 1996 births
- Arizona Diamondbacks players
- Arizona League Royals players
- Baltimore Orioles players
- Burlington Royals players
- Charlotte Stone Crabs players
- Indios de Mayagüez players
- Kansas City Royals players
- Lexington Legends players
- Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico
- 21st-century Puerto Rican sportsmen
- Major League Baseball third basemen
- Miami Marlins players
- Norfolk Tides players
- Northwest Arkansas Naturals players
- Omaha Storm Chasers players
- Reno Aces players
- Baseball players from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
- Wilmington Blue Rocks players
- 2023 World Baseball Classic players
- World Baseball Classic players of Puerto Rico