Alejandro Rivero was a highly regarded prospect in the Cuban National Series when he decided to leave the island in 2016. After a few years and plenty of showcases with MLB teams he decided to go to college after being unable to secure a contract with an MLB ball club.
After three years in college and one year in the collegiate summer league with Winchester and St. Thomas in which he hit a combined .316 but was not drafted, he decided to try his hand in an independent circuit in 2021. Rivero signed with the Boise SkyHawks of the Pioneer League, which is widely known to be a league for prospects looking to sign with MLB organizations.
In his one season in the circuit, which is the lowest of the independent leagues on the totem pole and starting point for most prospects, he hit a robust .352 with 20 homers, 70 RBIs and slashed .401/.668/1.069. This performance earned a contract with Chicago Cubs organization. In 2022 with the Windy City’s Rookie and Low-A ball clubs he hit .227 with three jacks and 16 runs batted, but was released after the season.
With his incorporation with York of the Atlantic League, he now joins a storied franchise in the toughest league in the independent circuit with a chance to showcase his talents and once again either catch the eyes of MLB scouts or even a team from a foreign league. Rivero now joins Ray Hernández and Adeiny Hechavarria as the only players of Cuban Heritage in the league.
El campocorto yumurino Alejandro Rivero jugará con el @yorkrevolution de la @AtlanticLg esta temporada.#pelotacubana #AtlanticLeague pic.twitter.com/GMY0HDXWuu
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) April 15, 2023
Cubans in Independent Leagues:
American Association:
Daniel Pérez (INF) Sioux City Explorers
Osvaldo Hernández (LHP) Fargo Moorehead Redhawks
Willie Abreu (INF) Sioux Falls Canaries *
Atlantic League:
Adeiny Hechavarria (SS) Long Island Ducks
Alejandro Rivero (SS) York Revolution
Ray Hernández (3B) Gastonia Honey Hunters *
J.C. Escarra (C) Gastonia Honey Hunters *
Frontier League:
Yoel Yanqui (IF-OF) Evansville Otters
Yanio Luis Pérez (IF) Sussex Miners
Willie Escala (IF) Sussex Miners *
*Cuban-American