Seven Years After His Cup of Coffee,
Career Minor Leaguer Gets Another Shot
Sixto gets a second chance
July 28, 2050 -- Sixto Rivera has toiled in the minor leagues for a dozen years, drafted way back in round two of the 2038 draft by the San Fernando. And until now his only opportunity to pitch in the Bigs was a cup of coffee -- five games -- for Louisville in 2043. Now Sixto, still only 29, gets a second chance after the Black Sox traded veteran pitcher John McClain to Rockville, opening a spot in the rotation in Chicago.
"We've really liked what Sixto showed us in [AAA] Carolina," said GM Mike Dunn. "And even though he's been around and bounced around, he is not even 30 and may be finally coming into his own." Rivera this year has been solid in AAA, with a 3.38 era, 3.33 FIP, 8.7 K/9 and 1.9 WAR in 19 starts. "Those figures, and his poise on the mound, show us that he has matured. Twelve years in the minors will test a kid. Many would have left the game by now. Sixto is dedicated. Once we closed on the McClain trade, it was a pleasure to call him up and tell him that he's earned another chance."
For Sixto, word of the promotion came from Carolina Flight Manager Paco Creteles. "Paco kinda messed with me. He started talking real down, like I'd been cut. I'm used to being cut, but I couldn't understand it because I felt like I've pitched real well. Still, I was ready. I'm always ready for being waived or let go. Then he started laughing and told me to pack up and head to Chicago. I called my parents and they started crying."
Rivera will start Saturday, July 30, against Madison. Here's his timeline back to the bigs:
06/09/2038 Drafted in the 2038 first-year player draft (Supplemental Round 2, Pick 8, 79th overall pick) by the San Fernando Bears, with a signing bonus of $1,900,000.
07/15/2038 Traded to Nashville
10/10/2038 Injured (Elbow ligament reconstruction surgery), out for 13 months.
05/20/2039 Traded to Las Vegas
09/30/2041 Wins the 2041 WCL (AA) DRK Reliever of the Year Award.
08/05/2043 Claimed off waivers by Louisville, appears in five ML games, giving up 9 earned runs in 15 innings.
11/20/2044 Released by Louisiville
01/01/2045 Signed a minor league contract with the Edmonton Jackrabbits organization.
05/06/2045 Released by Edmonton, signed a minor league contract with Jacksonville
11/16/2049 Released by Jacksonville
03/22/2050 Signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Black Sox organization.
07/28/2050 Promoted to the Black Sox from AAA.
EPILOGUE:
Sixto Rivera made the most of his promotion, pitching seven shutout innings against the Madison Wolves as the Black Sox earned a 3-0 victory.
His parents were in the stands to watch. "I owe this to them," Sixto said after the game. "They never gave up on me, so I refused to give up." Team officials confirmed that based on his strong showing, Rivera will get at least 2-3 more starts.
