As September approaches, teams are crunching their rosters to ensure they have the best 26 men on the field. Today, the Baltimore Orioles claimed third baseman Emmanuel Rivera off waivers from the Miami Marlins. In addition to Rivera, the Orioles designated infielder Terrin Vavra for assignment.
The Kansas City Royals drafted the 28-year-old in the 19th round of the 2015 MLB Draft from Universidad Interamericana in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Rivera spent six seasons in the Royals system, where he would make his MLB Debut with them in 2021. Rivera would play two seasons in Kansas City, where he hit .243 in 92 games, blasting seven home runs and driving in 27 RBIs. He would be traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the 2022 MLB Trade Deadline for relief pitcher Luke Weaver.
He also represented Puerto Rico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. During the Classic, Rivera hit .278 and drove in five RBIs, starting in all five games Puerto Rico played.
Rivera took full advantage of his opportunity with the D-Backs. Rivera helped carry them throughout the MLB Postseason in 2023, helping Arizona reach the World Series. In 86 games in 2023, Rivera manned the hot corner, hitting .261, with four home runs and 29 RBIs. Rivera also tallied two RBIs in the World Series.
Shortly before the 2024 season began, he was traded to the Miami Marlins for cash considerations. Rivera struggled with the Marlins in 96 games, hitting only .214, hitting one home run, and having 15 RBIs.
Now, he will join his fourth franchise in his fourth season in the major leagues. The Orioles currently have veteran infielder Ramón Urías handling the hot corner at third, so we will see if Rivera will slide into the mix. It will be interesting to see how the Orioles utilize him into their lineup, where he appears to be headed to the Orioles active roster.
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WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo Credit: Emmanuel Rivera #15 of the Miami Marlins looks on prior to a game against the Cincinnati Reds at loanDepot park on August 08, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
