Nats prospect watch: Mariano Rivera

No draft prospect this past summer had bigger name recognition than did 22-year-old Mariano Rivera, the Iona College product whose namesake father was one of the top relievers in the history of the game.

Rivera is not as big as his famous dad, at 5-foot-11 and 195 lbs. The elder Rivera is 6-foot-2 and 195 lbs., and earned 82 wins, posted 652 saves and recorded a 2.21 ERA in 19 big league seasons for the Yankees. He made 13 All-Star appearances and won was named the most valuable player in a World Series, American League Championship Series and an All-Star Game. Additionally, he was a Comeback Player of the Year.

The younger Rivera started three games with short-season Single-A Auburn, but after getting knocked around, Nationals minor league pitching coordinator Paul Menhart and his staff decided to provide the prospect with shorter outings and he responded.

Rivera had given up 13 earned runs in nine innings combined during three starts from July 6 through July 19 for the Doubledays.

After he was moved to the bullpen, he had five straight scoreless outings and gave up runs in only three of his final 14 appearances.

"We got him out of the starting rotation early," Menhart said. "He wasn't having much success. We thought shorter stints after that long season of college there. We thought it would be most beneficial for him to have some shorter stints. (Auburn Pitching coach) Tim Redding did an outstanding job quickening him up to the plate and getting him more comfortable on the mound in the professional ranks. He's an interesting pitcher."

The 2015 fourth-round selection focused on getting a good minus-10 mph on his changeup while at fall instructional league last month in Florida.

"He's interesting. Quick arm kid, very athletic," Menhart said. "Can rush it up there pretty good at times. Can spin it. Changeup was something he really wanted to focus on down there (at instructional league), which he did. Who knows what is going to happen with him."

Rivera was not selected by the Nationals on his lineage alone, although that certainly garnered a lot of early attention in the draft.

"Oh, yeah, he can pitch," Menhart said. "This kid can pitch. He's got feel."

Rivera finished with a 1-2 record and a 5.45 ERA in 19 games over 33 innings. He struck out 26 and walked only three batters.

His next stop would most likely be low Single-A Hagerstown to begin 2016