Giants RHP prospect Blake Rivera struck out nine over five innings on Sunday for Low-A Augusta.
Rivera, 21, allowed two runs over six hits, and he didn’t walk anyone. A fourth-round pick out of Wallace State-Hanceville CC in Alabama, Rivera has pitched relatively well in his first professional season with a 3.96 ERA and 47 strikeouts over 38 2/3 innings. He has a nasty curveball that gets plus-plus grades at times, and his fastball has sink and can touch the mid 90s. Command is a problem -- he’s walked 24 hitters over 38 2/3 innings -- so a move to the bullpen could come at some point. Still, because of those two plus pitches along with a so-so change, Rivera does have a chance to be a starter at the next level.
