ANALYSIS/OPINION:
I’m not sure if it’s a new method of sabermetrics, but the gene pool seems to be a hot way to pick talent these days, as teams are betting on bloodlines.
The Washington Nationals selected Mariano Rivera III — the son of the former great closer Mariano Rivera in the fourth round of the baseball draft this week.
If he signs, he’ll join a group of offsprings in the Nationals organization with All-Star fathers — Ryan Ripken, the son of Hall of Famer Cal Ripken; Tony Gwynn Jr., son of the late Tony Gwynn, and Cutter Dykstra, son of three-time All-Star Lenny Dykstra.