Mariano Rivera Jr. – yes, son of THAT Mariano Rivera – selected by the @Nationals: http://t.co/aMXA5wN6gX #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/50avUUyUev
The reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference pitcher of the year was drafted in the fourth round on Tuesday by the Washington Nationals. He happens to be Mariano Rivera’s son.
Iona’s Mariano Rivera III was drafted in the 29th round by the Yankees last year, but returned to the Gaels, going 5-7 with a 2.65 ERA and 113 strikeouts (a school record) as a junior.
He’ll have some enormous shoes to fill professionally, and it was probably a fortunate turn of events to start his journey far from the Big Apple.