The Yankees announced Saturday they have signed 26 of their 39 selections in the 2014 amateur draft, and one name stood out of the 13 players who didn’t sign: right-handed pitcher Mariano Rivera, selected in the 29th round. Rivera is, of course, the son of the Yankees’ legendary closer.
Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer said the team considered Rivera, who will be a junior at Iona next college season, a serious enough prospect that it scouted four of his starts, utilizing four different cross-checkers, in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
“We still see some potential there,” Oppenheimer said.
The Yankees came to the conclusion that Rivera could benefit from another year of college ball to work on his stuff and his strength.
In the 2014 campaign, Rivera went 2-6 with a 5.40 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 70 innings during 13 appearances, including 12 starts as a sophomore. He began his collegiate career at Quinnipiac.
Opposing teams continue to salute Derek Jeter during his final season — even in his home ballpark.
Before the Yankees’ 7-1 win Saturday, the Reds presented Jeter with autographed framed jerseys of two of their more notable shortstops and captains, Dave Concepcion of the Big Red Machine days, and Hall of Famer Barry Larkin. The Yankees named Jeter their captain during a visit to Cincinnati in 2003. The Reds also presented Jeter with three photographs taken that day at Great American Ball Park.
Joe Girardi is thankful set-up stud Dellin Betances did not endure any heavy duty use in the All-Star Game. He didn’t even get in. But Girardi believes Betances — or any player honored as an All-Star — should get to play in the game for some amount of time.
“I would have liked to see him get in. Obviously, you don’t want to see him go two or three innings. I understand that you have to hold somebody back … but I think if you go you should have a chance to get in the game,” Girardi said. “We were okay with that but I still wish everybody could get one batter or one at bat or be in the field for one inning. Could he have used the rest? The rest didn’t hurt him, I can tell you that. But I still think if you go, everyone should get to play.”
Saturday’s four Yankees pitchers recorded 13 strikeouts without walking a batter for the first time since the team fanned 14 without a walk against Tampa Bay on July 7, 2006. … The Yankees are 12-7 against the National League. … Jeter is hitting .311 (41-of-132) in 32 games since June 10.