Sebastian Rivero (born November 16, 1998) is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher in the Atlanta Braves organization. Rivero signed with the Kansas City Royals as an international free agent in 2013 and made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with them in 2021.

Sebastian Rivero
Rivero with the Gwinnett Stripers in 2024
Atlanta Braves
Catcher
Born: (1998-11-16) November 16, 1998 (age 25)
Maracay, Venezuela
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 8, 2021, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics
(through 2022 season)
Batting average.167
Home runs0
Runs batted in4
Teams

Career

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Kansas City Royals

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On July 10, 2015, Rivero signed with the Kansas City Royals as an international free agent. He made his professional debut with the DSL Royals in 2016, and also appeared in 38 games for the AZL Royals, accumulating a .280 average between the two clubs. In 2017, he played for the rookie ball Burlington Royals, batting .265/.288/.381 with 4 home runs and 28 RBI. He played for the Single-A Lexington Legends in 2018, hitting .258/.301/.391 with 7 home runs and 34 RBI. He split the 2019 season between the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks and the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, slashing .216/.273/.280 in 94 games between the teams.[1]

Rivero did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] Rivero was added to the Royals’ 60-man player pool for the 2020 season but did not appear for the major league club.[3]

The Royals added Rivero to their 40-man roster after the 2020 season to protect him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft.[4] On May 3, 2021, Rivero was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[5] On May 8, Rivero made his MLB debut as the starting catcher against the Chicago White Sox.[6]

Rivero returned to Omaha in 2022, and was promoted to the major leagues on July 14.[7]

On November 10, 2022, Rivero was designated for assignment and was placed on unconditional release waivers on November 16.

Chicago White Sox

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On December 16, 2022, Rivero signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox.[8] He split the 2023 season between the Double–A Birmingham Barons and Triple–A Charlotte Knights. In 73 combined games, Rivero batted .219/.273/.326 with 4 home runs and 28 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2023.[9]

Atlanta Braves

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On November 13, 2023, Rivero signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Sebastian Rivero Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  2. ^ "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". MLB Trade Rumors. June 30, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  3. ^ "Royals Announce Initial 60-Man Player Pool". MLB Trade Rumors. June 28, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  4. ^ Worthy, Lynn (November 20, 2020). "Royals add four to 40-man roster including prospect Khalil Lee, catcher Sebastian Rivero". Kansascity.com. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  5. ^ The Kansas City Star [dead link]
  6. ^ "SebastiĂĄn Rivero: "Es un momento que jamĂĄs voy a olvidar"". Sports Venezuela. May 8, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  7. ^ "Here's what the Royals' new additions offer". MLB.com.
  8. ^ "Sebastián Rivero Stats, Fantasy & News".
  9. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. November 8, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  10. ^ "Minor League Transactions: Nov. 7–28, 2023". December 2023.
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