NEW YORK (AP) – Re-Enter Sandman?
The New York Yankees have drafted Mariano Rivera III, the son of the former record-breaking closer, in the 29th round Saturday.
The younger Rivera, a starting pitcher as a sophomore at Iona College, went 2-6 with a 5.40 ERA and five complete games and a team-leading 50 strikeouts in 70 innings for the Gaels. The 5-foot-11 right-hander bears a strong resemblance to his famous father, who saved a major league-record 652 games and helped lead the Yankees to five World Series titles.
He has a fastball that sits in the low-90s and a terrific slider – although his cutter isn’t quite yet as devastating as his dad’s.
Rivera transferred to Iona from Quinnipiac and was originally an outfielder before moving to the mound.
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