check this out

[Clongo]

from the sporting news:

The Yankees figure to sign at least one corner outfielder this winter, but they're excited by the progress of minor leaguer Juan Rivera, who is batting a combined .320 between Class AA and AAA, with 27 homers in 478 at-bats. Some in the Yankees organization say Rivera shows even more promise than SS Alfonso Soriano did in the minors.

[NickD]

Sounds great - I like our future w/Sori, NJ, Rivera, Henson, etc . . We could use some more young arms maybe, but I think we'll come up w/some pitching somehow.

[Mr. Mxylsplk]

Very encouraging.

[Bozidar]

JR NOW! hehe.. lets not get Jim started..

[NyMike]

Originally posted by Clongo
Some in the Yankees organization say Rivera shows even more promise than SS Alfonso Soriano did in the minors.
More promise than Soriano? I think I could live with that. Especially since I'd barely even heard of him before this season.

[ChicagoYankeeFan]

I was looking at my '99 Baseball America (with '98's stats) this week and looked over Juan's stats for his first year in professional ball. He had a great year in the GCL and got moved up to Oneota for a while. He looked like a sure thing, but he struggled for a while and finally started this upward surge last year in Tampa after the all-star break.

I NEVER would have thought that he would be ready next year, but I believe now. I think we have to have this kid on the roster next year.

[bagger015]

:NY: There are lots of prospects down on the farm and I hope it stays that way. Love the home grown talent and the fact that we are developing the youth instead of trading them away. Bright Yankee future for sure...:)

[andy14]

Rivera has been billed as a starting outfielder for the Yankees for a while now, but I never thought it would be NEXT season. However, he's shown some real promise. Like every other minor leaguer not named Nick Johnson, his biggest problem is his lack of plate discipline and lack of walks. Yet recently (since coming up to Columbus) he's improved his walk-at bats ratio. What is it now, 1-17/19 at bats? That's pretty impressive, considering how much he struck out in AA. Also, Rivera happens to be an above average fielder, which helps too! ). I guess Rivera should thank Erick Almonte for getting his act together and giving him a little more protection! :D

I can't wait to see what Rivera can do when called up (along with Almonte). I hope the Yanks give these two a chance to play. Who knows? If Almonte can bring along his hot bat, he could possibly play third for the Yanks until Scotty gets back (though Joe might be a little hesitant moving him from SS...though he was pretty decent at third in the games he played there). Who knows? These kids give the Yanks lots of options for this year and next...

[Elfdood]

Rivera also pulled a Soriano when he first got up to AAA, not walking <i>at all</i>... I remember seeing lines like .281/.281/.525 for him. It was pretty nutty. So his walk every 17 PA is even more impressive when you consider that he barely walked in his first <i>ninety</i>.