Breaking: New York Yankees signed a $150,000 professional contract with the 6-foot-4 pitcher.
Dear Ole Miss LHP With the New York Yankees organization, Xavier Rivas will embark on his path to recuperation and his professional future.
Six Ole Miss Rebels were taken on the last day of the MLB Draft this summer, bringing the total to seven selected players earlier this week. Left-handed pitcher Xavier Rivas was one of the six Diamond Rebels taken on the third day of the draft.
After a few days of conjecture, the 6-foot-4 pitcher, who was selected by the New York Yankees organization in the 16th round at No. 481 overall, has decided what to do with his future. The former Rebel pitcher announced on Friday that he had signed a $150,000 professional contract with the Yankees.
Earlier in the week, as we previously reported, Rivas was leaning toward the pro side. Ole Miss will now be watching anxiously for fellow lefty Hunter Elliott, who was selected by the Dodgers in the penultimate round of the draft, to decide whether to go pro or return.
Just before Ole Miss’s 2024 season, in February, Rivas suffered a torn UCL and had Tommy John surgery. After moving from Indianapolis, Rivas missed his entire senior year but had promise as a junior in 2023.
Rivas played in 14 games (all starts) during his lone season with the Rebels in 2023 as a junior. He led the club with 89 strikeouts, recorded five victories, and led the opposition with a batting average of.248 in 68.0 innings pitched. In May 2023, against Alabama, Rivas struck out 12 batters in seven innings, a career high.
Rivas discussed his then-pending future in an exclusive chat with Inside the Rebels earlier this month. The former Rebel mentioned how the Yankees were his “perfect” environment, and it appears he has found it.
“My dream scenario would be to be selected by a team in the first round for a good bonus slot once they notice something in me, and then I would go on to play professional baseball. That’s strategy A, Rivas informed us. “I completed my four years of college and graduated. That’s the aim, but returning to school is the backup plan. I feel at ease at Oxford, therefore I’m not afraid to do it. It’s clear that I still wanted to prove something last year, but I was unable to do so. I’m prepared to (return) if the chance to play professional ball this year is not good for me.”
Prior to the draft, Rivas informed us that the Pirates, Brewers, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Phillies, Mets, and Yankees were the teams most interested in him.
This month, Rivas held a meeting in Dallas to discuss the next phases of his development. He underwent surgery on his left arm approximately five months ago.
“I might throw by the end of this month and most definitely by August, but not soon after (the appointment). It is pleasant to feel. About two weeks ago, Rivas said, “I’ve been trying to throw what they call one-handed plyos, so I’m kind of throwing an object right now — not a baseball yet — but I’m starting to throw things.”
