Coming back for an extra season at Florida might have been the best decision [autotag]Josh Rivera[/autotag] ever made. After going undrafted last in 2022, a career year led to Rivera being picked 81st overall in the 2023 MLB by the Chicago Cubs on Monday.
Rivera slashed .348/.447/.617 with 19 home runs and 72 runs batted in as a senior in 2023, setting career highs with each number. While Rivera’s glove has always been his biggest draw, scouts have known about his raw power since his time at IMG Academy.
Translating that raw power into game power proved difficult, though, and Rivera is only just finding his home run swing. If he can maintain some of that pop in the minors (wood bats, better pitching), Rivera should have a shot to make the Cubs roster in a few years.
Although MLB.com gives Rivera average grades as a fielder, he was among the most consistent at the position in college baseball this season. Perhaps he’ll move to second base at some point, but he should get a chance to play shortstop at each level of the minors.
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