Tagged: Yadiel Rivera

Moving On Up: Holle, Rivera make the jump to Double-A

INF Yadiel Rivera (pictured) and RHP Greg Holle have been called up to Double-A Huntsville over the last 24 hours.

INF Yadiel Rivera (pictured) and RHP Greg Holle have been called up to Double-A Huntsville over the last 24 hours.

Two of the Brevard County Manatees’ best are making the jump up. Within 24 hours, both RHP Greg Holle and INF Yadiel Rivera were transferred from Brevard County to Double-A Huntsville. It is no surprise that the duo got called up as both put up ridiculous numbers over their final few games with the ‘Tees. Lets take a look:

Greg Holle

After suffering an injury early in Spring Training, Holle spent time in extended camp before being added to the Manatees roster on April 30. Despite plentiful success while in Brevard in 2014, the injury troubles remained with him. The right-hander was on the disabled list from May 29 until June 6 and missed extra time with flu-like symptoms.

However, when Holle was on the bump for the ‘Tees it spelled trouble for opponents. The 6-foot-8 righty did not surrender a run in seven of eight appearances he made with the team, which included a nine-inning scoreless streak before getting the call.

Holle finished his tenure in Brevard with a flourish. On June 20 at Daytona, Holle entered the ballgame with the bases loaded and dominated. The former TCU Horned Frog threw 2.2 innings of scoreless relief to close out the Manatees 7-3 victory over the Cubs, which he discussed the following day:

Holle made first 2014 appearance with the Stars last night. He threw a scoreless inning of relief and did not allow a baserunner in Huntsville’s triumph over Pensacola. Holle went 4-3 with a 3.96 ERA and 10 saves with the Double-A club a year ago.

Yadiel Rivera

Rivera was one of the surprising returnees to Brevard in 2014. The supremely talented middle infielder hit .241 with 23 extra-base hits and 37 runs batted in with the ‘Tees last year, but due to a logjam at the higher levels he returned to Space Coast Stadium.

After a bumpy start at the plate (.224 AVG) through the first two months of the year, Rivera found his rhythm in the month of June. In the 16 games he played in the month before being transferred, Rivera hit at .351 clip with a .403 on-base percentage.

Almost improbably, over his final seven games, Rivera was even better. He tallied a base-hit in six of his final seven games with the ‘Tees and left with a four-game hit-streak. In total, Rivera batted .462 (12-for-26) with five runs scored, three doubles, a home run, two RBI and a stolen base.

Yesterday, in his final game with the ‘Tees, Rivera went an astounding 3-for-4 with a ground-rule double and a stolen base in a Manatees win over the Dunedin Blue Jays. We had a chance to speak with him after the game:

‘Tees Tidbits: UT Nathan Orf is at it again…Since June 17, Orf has the highest batting average (.483) and on-base percentage (.545) in the Florida State League…During this stretch, the lead-off hitter has scored 10 runs, hit four doubles, driven in four runs and walked three times…He also recorded five multi-hit games during the seven-game streak…During their four-game road trip, the Manatees bats were on fire…The team recorded double-digits in hits in three of the four games…The ‘Tees went 3-1 on the trip and had a .297 batting average (44-for-148).

Orlando Magic

Orlando Arcia has been stellar all year for Brevard, both in the field and at the plate.

Orlando Arcia has been stellar all year for Brevard, both in the field and at the plate.

In the small town of Anaco, Venezuela lays a growing, impressive baseball family. Already home to former Major Leaguer (and former Vero Beach Dodger) Miguel Cairo, Anaco has been the residence of the Arcia brothers, Oswaldo and Orlando.

Oswaldo, a former Florida State Leaguer in his own right (2011-12 Fort Myers Miracle), has already reached and thrived at the Major League level, hitting 14 home runs last year with the Minnesota Twins. However, the youngest brother is causing quite a stir so far in Viera.

Orlando, the youngest player in the FSL at the age of 19, has not been overwhelmed by his older adversaries. To this point, Arcia has been an absolute workhorse and despite the lengthy Minor League schedule has continued to thrive.

So far, Arcia is tied with Tyrone Taylor for team lead in games played (53), second on the squad in hits (54), triples (3) and stolen bases (10), third in runs scored (22) and is tied for fourth in doubles (9) and runs batted in (13). With all those impressive numbers, Arcia has also managed to piece together a respectable .262 batting average.

Even though it is just the beginning of June, the Venezuelan native has already put together two majorly impressive streaks so far.  From April 29 to May 12, Arcia recorded an 11-game hit-streak, the longest by a Manatee in 2014. During that stretch, he hit .340 (17-for-50) with three doubles and three RBI. Arcia also scored seven runs, stole four bases and walked five times compared to just four strike outs.

The most impressive outing during that streak was his first. On April 29 against Clearwater, in a 20-0 ‘Tees rout of Clearwater, Arcia recorded a career-high four base-hits (two doubles) and tied a career-high with three runs scored.

The middle infielder has been equally as impressive over his most recent stretch. Since the first game of Brevard’s series against the Palm Beach Cardinals on May 20, Arcia has been on fire. During those 12 games, he is hitting .370 (14-for-76) with five multi-hit games and four doubles. Anaco’s own has also driven in five runs and swiped two more bases.

What makes these streaks more impressive is that Arcia has done it all while playing multiple positions. A natural shortstop, the Brewers prospect has had to split time at the position with another talented player, Yadiel Rivera.

Both prospects have swapped between short and second base every series. However, neither has lost a beat despite the lack of consistency at one spot. Both incredible athletes and defenders, Arcia and Rivera have contributed to what is, arguably, the best defensive middle infield in all of Minor League Baseball, with incredible plays made on a daily basis. This, of course, includes Arcia helping turn the ‘Tees first triple play in over a decade.

Showing no ill effects from a fractured right ankle, which cost him his 2012 season, Arcia has been a treasure for the Manatees so far this year. It is clear that the sky is the limit for the FSL’s youngest star.

‘Tees Tidbits: For the first time in 11 days, OF Victor Roache will be in the lineup for Brevard County…Roache has been out since May 21 with the virus that has gone through the Manatees clubhouse…Roache will hit sixth and play left field in game one of today’s doubleheader…The Manatees’ bullpen has given up one run in 15.0 innings (0.60 ERA) over their last eight games…The bullpen’s collective strikeout rate has been staggering, as well…Brevard’s relievers have struck out 18 men for a 10.80 K/9 rate