Atlanta Braves Scouting Report on RHP Armando Rivero

The Atlanta Braves drafted Armando Rivero in the Rule 5 draft from the Chicago Cubs system. What chance does he have to make the roster?

Who Is He?

The Atlanta Braves have utilized the Rule 5 draft to attempt to strengthen their bullpen in seasons past. While last year’s selection, Evan Rutckyj, did not work out with the team, they went after another relief option in December’s major league portion of the Rule 5, selecting Rivero

Rivero was signed by the Chicago Cubs out of Cuba and made his pro debut in 2013 after pitching four seasons as a reliever with Cuba’s Serie Nacional.

He pitched across three levels in 2013, debuting in the Midwest League with Kane County before spending about a week with the Cubs’ high-A affiliate in the Florida State League. He finished the year pitching for the Cubs’ AA affiliate in the Southern League.

In all, he made 20 appearances in 2013, throwing 30 1/3 innings, with a 4.15 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and a 12/45 BB/K ratio. He gave up some hard contact, but for a guy who hadn’t thrown a competitive pitch since 2010, it was a solid showing.

The Cubs sent him to the Arizona Fall League that season, and he had struggle with his command in that environment, making 11 appearances and throwing 11 innings, walking 5 and striking out 9.

In 2014, the Cubs started him with AA Tennesee, and he was dominant, earning a mid-season promotion to AAA Iowa. His combined numbers on the season were a 2.22 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 28/100 BB/K ratio over 65 innings total over 49 appearances.

He spent all of 2015 and 2016 in Iowa, never getting a call to the major leagues in spite of very solid numbers in the PCL. In 2015, he made 48 appearances, throwing 57 innings, with a 3.16 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 32/53 BB/K ratio.

This past season, Rivero turned a lot of heads when he posted a 2.13 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 35/105 BB/K over 67 2/3 innings from 43 appearances.

Next: Rivero's scouting report